Italy include uncapped Exeter flanker Ross Vintcent in Six Nations squad

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has included uncapped Exeter Chiefs flanker Ross Vintcent in the squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

Born in Johannesburg, the 21-year-old represented the Under 20 team in 2021 and 2022 before representing the A side in the uncapped Test against Romania A team.

Vintcent is joined by props Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnolo and flanker Alessandro Izekor in the uncapped players in the squad while there is a recall for Tommaso Menoncello, who makes a comeback after missing the World Cup due to an injury.

The squad that will be captained by flanker Michele Lamaro features Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney while Simone Ferrari, Paolo Odogwu, Dino Lamb and Marco Riccioni are unavailable due to injuries.

“We will have the opportunity to work for the first time, even for just three days, with the entire group,” Quesada said.

“Now we will go into the basics of our game and the attack and defence structures. We won’t have much time available and we will try to concentrate the work as much as possible.”

The squad will take part in the training camp in Verona next week and will kick start their Six Nations campaign with a clash against England in Rome on 3rd February.

Italy squad:

Forwards: Pietro Ceccarelli, Danilo Fischetti, Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Marco Manfredi, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolo Cannone, Edoardo Iachizzi, Federico Ruzza, Andrea Zambonin, Lorenzo Cannone, Riccardo Favretto, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani

Backs: Alessandro Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Federico Mori, Marco Zanon, Pierre Bruno, Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane, Simone Gesi, Lorenzo Pani