Italy manager Gonzalo Quesada has included uncapped South African Exeter Chiefs back-rower Ross Vincent in his first squad for the 2024 Six Nations.
Vincent has had a great run with Chiefs this season and was given the call-up as Italy’s new manager Quesada prepares for his first Championship.
The No.8 moved to the Premiership after coming through the Italian Rugby Federation Academy and has mainly played off the bench this season.
4 uncapped players
Vincent joins prop trio Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnuolo and back-rower Alessandro Izecole as uncapped players selected ahead of the match against England.
As well as new faces, the forward pack includes Pietro Ceccarelli, Danilo Fischetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Luzza, Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Ramallo and Sebastian Negri, with Quesada The Azzurri team chosen by the coach has a wealth of experience. Italy are looking to cause another shock in the Six Nations.
There is also seniority in the backline, with Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan and Paolo Garbisi among the options at halfback, with Allan approaching his 80th cap for Italy.
Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Federico Mori and Marco Zanon make up the Azzurri’s midfield picks, with Pierre Bruno, Ange Capozzo, Monti Ioane, Simone Gessi and Lorenzo Pani starting in wide areas. There will be competition for a spot, but Ioane is currently in the trade. Capozzo is in the top 14 in Lyon colors and plays for Toulouse.
After their home match against England on Saturday 3 February, Italy will travel to Ireland and France before facing Scotland before finishing in Wales.
2024 Six Nations Italy National Team
forward: Pietro Ceccarelli (Perpignan), Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma), Matteo Nocera (Zebre Parma), Luca Rizzoli (Zebre Parma), Mirco Spagnuolo (Benetton Rugby), Giosue Girocchi (Benetton Rugby) ), Gianmarco Lucchesi (Benetton Rugby), Marco Manfredi (Zebre Parma), Giacomo Nicotera (Benetton Rugby), Niccolo Canone (Benetton Rugby), Edoardo Iacizzi (Benetton Rugby), Federico – Luzza (Benetton Rugby), Andrea Zambonin (Zebre Parma), Lorenzo Canone (Benetton Rugby), Riccardo Favret (Benetton Rugby), Alessandro Izecole (Benetton Rugby), Michele Ramaro (Benetton – Rugby), Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby), Ross Vincent (Exeter), Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby)
Bucks: Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton Rugby), Martin Page-Lillo (Lyon), Stephen Varney (Gloucester), Tommaso Allan (Perpignan), Paolo Garbisi (Montpellier), Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Rugby), Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby), Federico Mori (Bayonne), Marco Zanon (Benetton Rugby), Pierre Bruno (Zebre Parma), Ange Capozzo (Toulouse), Monti Ioin (Lyon), Simone Gesi (Zebre Parma), Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma)
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