The Italian team will be significantly reshuffled, with in particular Ange Capuozzo placed at the back and Paolo Garbisi in the center, to face France on Friday in Lyon (9 p.m.) in the last match of Group A of the 2023 World Cup, according to the composition revealed on Wednesday. The versatile Capuozzo, winger during the slap received by Italy against New Zealand (96-17), last Friday, still in Lyon, is placed at the back against the XV of France, in place of Tommaso Allan who passes opening half. This game of musical chairs takes Montpellier Paolo Garbisi, No. 10 against the Blacks, down a notch, who will play first center associated with Juan Ignacio Brex against the Blues.
Kieran Crowley, the New Zealand coach of Italy, is also faced with several injuries which has forced him to significantly reshuffle his starting XV. In the second row, Niccolo Cannone, brother of number 8 Lorenzo, also holder, will partner Federico Ruzza in place of Dino Lamb, injured in the left leg and withdrawn. At the hooker position, New Zealander Hame Faiva, replacement against New Zealand, will start to compensate for the loss of Giacomo Nicotera subject to the concussion protocol, after the Blacks.
Finally, left pillar Danilo Fischetti, victim of a triple rib fracture in the 18th minute of the match against New Zealand, is replaced by the versatile Simone Ferrari who played as right pillar in previous World Cup matches. Italy, tied on points with New Zealand (10 pts) can still qualify for the quarter-finals, if it beats France (13 pts) on Friday in Lyon. She can also dream of a qualification, highly improbable, in the event of defeat: she would then have to take at least one bonus point, offensive or defensive, and that at the same time, New Zealand loses against to Uruguay, without bonus points.
The XV of Italy to face France: Capuozzo – Bruno, Brex, Garbisi, Ioane – (o) Allan, (m) Varney – Lamaro (cap.), L. Cannone, Negri – Ruzza, N. Cannone – Ceccarelli , Faiva, Ferrari. Substitutes: Manfredi, Zani, Riccioni, Sisi, Zuliani, Fusco, Morisi, Pani.
