Six Nations 2023: Italy make one change to face Wales
- Published
Ange Capuozzo was born in France
Six Nations: Italy v Wales |
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Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 11 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website & app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app. |
Italy have made one enforced change from their defeat against Ireland to face Wales in round four of the Six Nations in Rome on Saturday.
Harlequins fly-half Tommaso Allan will play at full-back instead of injured Toulouse star Ange Capuozzo.
Allan, 29, started Italy's matches against France and England at 10 but was dropped to the bench when Paolo Garbisi became fit.
Capuozzo will miss the rest of the Six Nations because of a shoulder injury.
France-born Capuozzo suffered the injury to his left shoulder during the Azzurri's defeat by Ireland but remained on the field.
In 2022 he made the memorable break that led to Edoardo Padovani's last-gasp try, converted by Garbisi to seal a 22-21 win against Wales in Cardiff which ended Italy's seven-year Six Nations losing streak.
Capuozzo was named men's Breakthrough Player of the Year by World Rugby and started the first three Six Nations games of the current campaign, but is now back at his club Toulouse to continue his rehabilitation.
Back row forward Manuel Zuliani takes Allan's place among the replacements as coach Kieran Crowley reverts to a five-three split of forwards and backs.
Italy, like Wales, have lost all three of their games.
"We recovered well from the last game and this week we worked on the areas where we needed to improve," said Crowley.
"We know the match ahead against Wales and are looking forward to it and hopefully we can continue to develop the way we want to play."
Italy travel to Scotland for their final fixture on 18 March. With a game against France in Paris to end their campaign, winning in Rome is Wales' best chance of avoiding finishing at the foot of the table.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland names his team for Saturday's game at the Stadio Olimpico at 11:45 GMT on Thursday.
Italy: Tommaso Allan; Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Pierre Bruno; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capt), Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Marco Riccione, Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Luca Morisi.
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