ITALY COACH JACQUES Brunel has named 10 uncapped players in his Six Nations squad.
32-year-old Sergio Parisse captains the Azzurri once again, as they look towards their tournament opener against France in Paris on 6 February.
Parisse will lead the Italian challenge again. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
South Africa-born back row Andries Van Schalkwyk – who qualifies on residency grounds – is among the new faces, with his Zebre teammates Andrea Lovotti, Jacopo Sarto, and Edorado Padovani joining him in the hope of earning their international debuts.
Treviso back row Abraham Steyn, another South Africa native who qualifies on the three-year residency rule, is also included.
Advertisement
Mogliano wing David Odiete, Treviso prop Matteo Zanusso, Calvisano man Tommaso Castello, Padova back Mattia Bellini and Treviso hooker Ornel Gega complete the crop of new faces in the Italy group.
Brunel, who may be succeeded by Conor O’Shea this summer, has kept experience in his squad in the shape of stalwarts Martin Castrogiovanni, Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini.
The likes of locking pair Josh Furno and Quintin Geldenhuys, Leicester prop Michele Rizzo and Perpignan out-half Tommaso Allan are missing through injury.
Italy Six Nations squad:
Props: Martin Castrogiovanni [Racing 92], Dario Chistolini [Zebre], Lorenzo Cittadini [Wasps], Andrea Lovotti [Zebre]*, Matteo Zanusso [Treviso]*
Brunel's Italy usher in 10 uncapped players for Six Nations campaign
ITALY COACH JACQUES Brunel has named 10 uncapped players in his Six Nations squad.
32-year-old Sergio Parisse captains the Azzurri once again, as they look towards their tournament opener against France in Paris on 6 February.
South Africa-born back row Andries Van Schalkwyk – who qualifies on residency grounds – is among the new faces, with his Zebre teammates Andrea Lovotti, Jacopo Sarto, and Edorado Padovani joining him in the hope of earning their international debuts.
Treviso back row Abraham Steyn, another South Africa native who qualifies on the three-year residency rule, is also included.
Mogliano wing David Odiete, Treviso prop Matteo Zanusso, Calvisano man Tommaso Castello, Padova back Mattia Bellini and Treviso hooker Ornel Gega complete the crop of new faces in the Italy group.
Brunel, who may be succeeded by Conor O’Shea this summer, has kept experience in his squad in the shape of stalwarts Martin Castrogiovanni, Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini.
The likes of locking pair Josh Furno and Quintin Geldenhuys, Leicester prop Michele Rizzo and Perpignan out-half Tommaso Allan are missing through injury.
Italy Six Nations squad:
Props: Martin Castrogiovanni [Racing 92], Dario Chistolini [Zebre], Lorenzo Cittadini [Wasps], Andrea Lovotti [Zebre]*, Matteo Zanusso [Treviso]*
Hookers: Ornel Gega [Treviso]*, Leonardo Ghiraldini [Leicester Tigers]
Locks: Valerio Bernabo [Zebre], George Fabio Biagi [Zebre], Marco Fuser [Treviso]
Back rows: Francesco Minto [Treviso], Sergio Parisse [Stade Francais] (captain), Jacopo Sarto [Zebre]*, Abraham Steyn [Treviso]*, Andries Van Schalkwyk (Zebre]*, Alessandro Zanni [Treviso]
Halfbacks: Edoardo Gori [reviso], Guglielmo Palazzani [Zebre], Carlo Canna [Zebre], Edoardo Padovani [Zebre]*
Outside backs: Mattia Bellini [Padova]*, Giulio Bisegni [Zebre], Michele Campagnaro [Exeter] Tommaso Castello [Calvisano]*, Gonzalo Garcia [Zebre] Kelly Haimona [Zebre] Luke McLean [Treviso], David Odiete [Mogliano]*, Andrea Pratichetti [Treviso], Leonardo Sarto [Zebre].
* denotes uncapped player
Scotland’s squad for the Six Nations includes these two new faces
France include sevens sensation Vakatawa in Six Nations training squad
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Azzurri Six Nations Italy