England are the only team Italy has yet to beat in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, and the clash at the Stadio Olimpico will be an interesting battle between two teams with question marks.
Italy may have endured a disappointing World Cup and were eliminated after the pool stage, but their team is still full of talent and potential.
In Round 1 last year, he was nullified far too often and gave France an almighty scare. Quesada is on a mission to turn that promise into something more concrete.
In Steve Borthwick’s first season in charge, they suffered their biggest ever home defeat to France on matchday four and suffered three consecutive defeats to Scotland.
By advancing to the World Cup semi-finals, they have renewed trust both at home and abroad, and there are hopes that they will make a start under new captain Jamie George.
To do that, they need to get off to a quick start and win their first first-round match since 2019.
team news
Alessandro Garbisi beat Stephen Varney to take the No. 9 shirt, and it’s a family affair for the Italian half-back.
He plays inside to his younger brother Paolo, a mercurial fly-half who directs the attack. Italy’s backs are loaded with talent, with the lightning-fast Ange Capozzo and Monti Ioane on the wing, and Tommaso Allan acting as a second-choice playmaker at full-back.
Michele Lamaro remains captain and is part of an experienced group with only one player with fewer than 30 caps.
On the eve of the Championship, much was said about England’s long injury list, but Steve Borthwick still named an experienced squad.
With Owen Farrell’s retirement from Test rugby, hooker Jamie George has been given the captain’s armband, making him one of five forwards in the squad with over 50 caps.
Fraser Dingwall and Ethan Roots will make their debuts at inside center and blindside flanker respectively, while reserve fly-half Finn Smith, back-rower Chandler Cunningham-South and winger Immanuel Fay-Waboso will also make their debuts from the bench. It should work.
Not for the first time in a decade, there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the English fly-half named Smith, and with Marcus currently sidelined with a groin injury, his namesake Finn has no place at this level. There is a chance to establish
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Italian flanker Sebastian Negri said: “England are a physical team, they have a very good set-piece and kicking game. not.
“You need a balanced approach and you’ll have problems if you underestimate them. They showed what they can do at the World Cup. They may not be the prettiest brand in rugby but , we are getting results and that is what matters.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick said: “After a great week of preparation in Girona, we are looking forward to the challenge of facing Italy in Rome.”
“The Azzurri are a dangerous team with talented ball carriers and players who like to find space.
“We need to make the right decisions, be disciplined and maintain the intensity of our performance until the first whistle.”
Important Battles – Gianmarco Lucchesi V Jamie George
Borthwick has made no secret of his desire to restore England to being one of the world’s best set-piece operators, and their lineout in particular has caught his attention.
Although they have the ability to break through the backs, the visitors will expect to keep the game tight and play north-south rugby with a focus on strong scrums, lineouts and breakdowns.
George will look to set the tone in his first game as captain.
The man tasked with stopping him was Gianmarco Lucchesi. Benetton missed the World Cup due to injury, but his return to form and his immediate return to the starting lineup proves how highly regarded he is.
status attack
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The last time Italy hosted England in the 2022 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, Italy failed to score a single point and lost 33-0. It was the first time they failed to score against England and only the sixth time in Championship history.
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Italy have won half of their last eight home games, including the last two. The last time they won three times on the spin was in 1997-1998, when they defeated Ireland, Scotland and Argentina.
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England’s average margin of victory in the 24th time they faced Italy in the Championship was 28 points.
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Jamie George has achieved a lineout success rate of 92% during his Guinness Men’s Six Nations career, the highest success rate of any player with at least 100 attempts.
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England recorded the highest success rate at both lineouts (92%) and scrums (96%) in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, while also achieving the highest percentage of meters gained in mauls (73) and direct tries from mauls (3). ) was the most common. Last year’s championship.
team news
Italy: 15. Tommaso Allan, 14. Ange Capozzo, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Monti Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Alessandro Garbisi, 1. Danilo Fischetti , 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3. Pietro Ceccarelli, 4. Niccolo Canone, 5. Federico Luzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Ramaro (c), 8. Lorenzo Cannone
replacement: 16. Giacomo Nicotella, 17. Mirco Spagnuolo, 18. Giosue Girocchi, 19. Andrea Zambonin, 20. Edoardo Iacizzi, 21. Manuel Zuliani, 22. Stephen Varney, 23. Lorenzo Pani
England: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Fraser Dingwall, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Joe Marler, 2. Jamie George (c), 3. Will Stewart, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Lewis Chetham, 6. Ethan Roots, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Ben Earl
replacement: 16. Theo Dunn, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Chandler Cunningham-South, 21. Danny Care, 22. Finn Smith, 23. Immanuel Fay = Waboso