ROME – Italy has named its squad for Saturday’s highly anticipated Six Nations match against England at the Stadio Olimpico, with three changes to the lineup that faced France. The Azzurri will look to build on their recent performances as they welcome England to Rome on March 7th, with kickoff scheduled for 5:40 PM local time (4:40 PM UTC).
The most notable change comes at fullback, where Lorenzo Pani will start in place of Ange Capuozzo due to an injury. This marks a return to the starting role for Pani, mirroring his appearance against Ireland earlier in the tournament. Further bolstering the Italian side is the return of Juan Ignacio Brex, who rejoins the team after a brief absence for personal reasons, slotting back into the center position alongside Tommaso Menoncello. Perhaps the biggest surprise selection is Alessandro Garbisi, who earns his first start at scrum-half, displacing Alessandro Fusco to the bench.
Adding further depth to the squad, Tommaso Allan is included on the bench, marking a significant return to the team for the experienced player. This provides head coach Gonzalo Quesada with a wealth of options as Italy prepares to face a formidable English side.
Quesada’s adjustments primarily focus on the backline, maintaining the wing pairing of Monty Ioane and Louis Lynagh, with Pani at fullback. The center duo of Menoncello and Brex returns, and Alessandro Garbisi will partner with his brother, Paolo Garbisi, in the halfback position. The forward pack remains unchanged, demonstrating consistency and confidence in the existing lineup.
The Italian pack will feature Simone Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, and Simone Ferrari in the front row, supported by the second-row pairing of Niccolò Cannone and Andrea Zambonin. Captain Michele Lamaro and Manuel Zuliani will flank the scrum, with Lorenzo Cannone at number eight. This established forward unit will be crucial in providing a solid platform for the Italian backs to launch their attacks.
Quesada has opted for a 5+3 bench split, with Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, and Muhamed Hasa providing front-row cover. Federico Ruzza and Riccardo Favretto complete the forward replacements, while Alessandro Fusco, Leonardo Marin, and Tommaso Allan offer versatility in the backs. This balanced bench provides tactical flexibility and ensures Italy can respond effectively to any challenges during the match.
Italy’s Starting Lineup vs. England
15 Lorenzo PANI (Zebre Parma, 11 caps)
14 Louis LYNAGH (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Toulon, 50 caps)
12 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 37 caps)
11 Monty IOANE (Lione, 45 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Toulon, 52 caps)
9 Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 22 caps)
8 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps)
7 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 41 caps)
6 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 52 caps) – captain
5 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 61 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 72 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Stade Français, 39 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Northampton Saints 61 caps)
Replacements
16 Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Zebre Parma, 8 caps)
17 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Benetton Rugby, 22 caps)
18 Muhamed HASA (Zebre Parma 6 caps)
19 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 70 caps)
20 Riccardo FAVRETTO (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
21 Alessandro FUSCO (Zebre Parma, 23 caps)
22 Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)
23 Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 87 caps)
The inclusion of Alessandro Garbisi at scrum-half represents a bold move by Quesada, signaling a desire to inject fresh energy into the Italian attack. The Garbisi brothers’ partnership in the halfbacks will be a key area to watch, as they look to orchestrate Italy’s offensive plays against a well-organized English defense. For those unfamiliar with the Six Nations Championship, it’s an annual international rugby union competition featuring the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. Italy joined the competition in 2000 and has steadily improved its competitiveness over the years.
Italy will be looking to replicate the success they found against England at Twickenham in 2024, where they secured a memorable victory. However, facing England on home soil presents a different challenge, and the Azzurri will need to be at their best to overcome a determined opponent. The return of Brex adds experience and physicality to the Italian midfield, providing a crucial link between the forwards and the backs. His ability to break tackles and create opportunities will be vital in unlocking the English defense.
Following Saturday’s match against England, Italy will travel to Scotland for their final Six Nations fixture. The outcome of these two matches will be crucial in determining Italy’s final position in the championship standings. Fans can follow live updates and analysis on Archysport.com, as well as official Six Nations Rugby channels.
