Italy‘s head coach, Kieran Crowley, has made two changes to the starting lineup for their Rugby World Cup opener against Namibia in Saint Etienne.
Dino Lamb and Danilo Fischetti will replace Niccolò Cannone and Ivan Nemer at lock and loosehead prop, respectively, in the starting pack. The rest of the team remains unchanged.
Tommaso Allan is set to play at full–back, with Monty Ioane and Ange Capuozzo as the starting wingers. Juan Ignacio Brex and Luca Morisi continue as the midfield combination, while Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney form the halfback pairing.
Michele Lamaro will captain the side from the openside flank, with Sebastian Negri on the blindside and Lorenzo Cannone at number eight.
In the second-row, Lamb partners with Federico Ruzza, and Fischetti joins Simone Ferrari and Giacomo Nicotera in the front-row.
The bench includes Epalahame Faiva, Nemer, Marco Riccioni, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani as forward replacements, and Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu, and Pierre Bruno as backline reserves.
Sixteen players, including 10 starters and six on the bench, will make their Rugby World Cup debuts for Italy. Tommaso Allan, in his 76th Test appearance, will participate in his third World Cup.
Italy’s focus is on their performance and the upcoming matches as they prepare for their World Cup debut. The match will be officiated by Irish referee Andrew Brace.
Italy Starting Lineup:
Full-back: Tommaso Allan
Wingers: Monty Ioane and Ange Capuozzo
Midfield: Juan Ignacio Brex and Luca Morisi
Halfbacks: Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney
Back Row: Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (c), Sebastian Negri
Locks: Dino Lamb and Federico Ruzza
Front Row: Danilo Fischetti (prop), Simone Ferrari (tighthead prop), Giacomo Nicotera (hooker)
Replacements:
Forward Replacements: Epalahame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Marco Riccioni, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani
Backline Replacements: Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu, Pierre Bruno
The match will take place on Saturday, September 9, at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, with kickoff scheduled for 13:00 local time (12:00 BST, 11:00 GMT). Irish referee Andrew Brace will officiate the game.
