Benetton lock Alessandro Zanni is in line to win his 118th Azzurri cap in Cardiff after being named in Franco Smith’s first Italy squad.
Smith, in temporary charge for the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, has named centurion Zanni in the second row alongside uncapped Benetton teammate Niccolo Cannone.
We could also see another Italy debutant off the bench in the shape of Zebre prop Danilo Fischetti, with Smith opting for a mixture of youth and experience in his 23.
Guinness Six Nations supporters will be delighted to see the return of Matteo Minozzi at full-back, two years after being nominated for 2018 Player of the Championship following five electrifying performances.
Big developments in the backline sees the South African head coach opt for double playmakers as Tommaso Allan starts at fly-half with Carlo Canna at inside centre, a position he has played on occasion for Zebre.
#Italrugby
Gli Azzurri scelti da Franco Smith per #WALvITA, match d’esordio nel @SixNationsRugby 2020https://t.co/2IiBQOJSxr
Kick off sabato 1 febbraio alle 15.15 (ITA), diretta @dmaxitalia #insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/boLJFc8o2o
— Italrugby (@Federugby) January 30, 2020
There is also a welcome return for Benetton wing Leonardo Sarto, who comes in for his 35th cap having last featured against Argentina in 2017, and having last played in the Championship Against Wales in March 2016.
Starting the match is an all-Zebre front row of Giosue Zilocchi, captain Luca Bigi and Andrea Lovotti, with an imposing back row of Seb Negri at blindside, Jake Polledri at openside and Braam Steyn at No.8.
Gloucester’s Polledri is joined by club teammate Callum Braley at scrum-half, Mattia Bellini is on the left wing and Luca Morisi at outside centre.
Italy team to play Wales in Cardiff – Saturday 1 February (kick-off 2.15pm):
15. Matteo Minozzi (Wasps) – 16 caps
14. Leonardo Sarto (Benetton Rugby) – 34 caps
13. Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby) – 29 caps
12. Carlo Canna (Zebre) – 39 caps
11. Mattia Bellini (Zebre) – 22 caps
10. Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby) – 54 caps
9. Callum Braley (Gloucester) – 5 caps
1. Giosu̬ Zilocchi (Zebre) Р2 caps
2. Luca Bigi (c) (Zebre) – 24 caps
3. Andrea Lovotti (Zebre) – 40 caps
4. Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby) – 117 caps
5. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby) – uncapped
6. Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby) – 22 caps
7. Jake Polledri (Gloucester) – 13 caps
8. Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby) – 36 caps
Replacements
16. Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby) – 13 caps
17. Danilo Fischetti (Zebre) – uncapped
18. Marco Riccioni (Benetton Rugby) – 7 caps
19. Marco Lazzaroni (Benetton Rugby) – 4 caps
20. Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby) – 26 caps
21. Giovanni Licata (Zebre) – 8 caps
22. Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre) – 36 caps
23. Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby) – 23 caps
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Source: 6 Nations