Rugby-Italy change two for World Cup opener against Namibia

(Reuters) – The Italian national rugby team has made two changes to their starting XV for the Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Namibia on Saturday. English-born lock Dino Lamb and prop Danilo Fischetti are the only changes from their final warm-up victory over Japan last month. Head coach Kieran Crowley has chosen a largely settled team, with Paolo Garbisi at flyhalf, Tommaso Allan at fullback, and Ange Capuozzo on the wing. Montanna Ioane, who scored a hat-trick of tries against Japan, retains his place in the lineup, while Michele Lamaro will captain the side in the loose forward position. Lamb has replaced Niccolo Cannone, who is not amongst the match-day 23, and Fischetti has come in for Ivan Nemer. The latter will be on the bench. With five players from the team that played against Namibia in the 2019 World Cup, Italy looks to replicate their 47-22 victory in the first game of the tournament. Italy’s rugby coach, Crowley, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation for the match and their World Cup campaign, stating that their focus will be on delivering a strong performance.

The Italian team is placed in Pool A alongside France, New Zealand, and Uruguay. The complete starting XV for the Italian team is as follows: Tommaso Allan (fullback), Ange Capuozzo (wing), Juan Ignacio Brex (center), Luca Morisi (center), Montanna Ioane (wing), Paolo Garbisi (flyhalf), Stephen Varney (scrumhalf), Lorenzo Cannone (number 8), Michele Lamaro (captain, flanker), Sebastian Negri (flanker), Federico Ruzza (lock), Dino Lamb (lock), Simone Ferrari (prop), Giacomo Nicotera (hooker), Danilo Fischetti (prop). The replacements for the match are: Hame Faiva (hooker), Ivan Nemer (prop), Marco Riccioni (prop), David Sisi (lock), Manuel Zuliani (flanker), Martin Page-Relo (scrumhalf), Paolo Odogwu (center), and Pierre Bruno (wing). The article was reported by Nick Said and edited by Angus MacSwan.