Italy revamps lineup ahead of Six Nations clash with England

Italy's head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, has announced six changes to the starting lineup for their Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Among the key changes, Ange Capuozzo will return to the full-back position, a role he has not played since November 2022.

This tactical switch is expected to strengthen Italy’s defensive organization and provide a counterattacking threat against England’s kicking game. Capuozzo, known for his speed and playmaking skills, previously thrived at full-back before moving to the wing. His presence in this role will be crucial as Italy looks to challenge England’s structured defense.

Alongside Capuozzo’s shift, Matt Gallagher has been named as the starting left-winger. The South London-born player, with a strong rugby background, adds depth and experience to the Italian backline.

The center partnership of Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello has also been reinstated, aiming to reinforce Italy’s midfield both in attack and defense. Stephen Varney returns as scrum-half, bringing quick decision-making and precise distribution to help orchestrate Italy’s attacking plays.

The forward pack also sees changes, with captain Michele Lamaro reclaiming his place at openside flanker. Lamaro’s leadership and defensive capabilities will be critical in maintaining Italy’s competitiveness at the breakdown.

Sebastian Negri returns to the blindside flanker position, adding power and experience to the back row as Italy prepares for an intense physical battle against England’s pack.

Quesada has opted for a 6:2 split between forwards and backs on the bench, signaling a strategic focus on maintaining forward dominance throughout the match. This approach suggests Italy is looking to counter England’s physicality by ensuring fresh legs in the forward pack as the game progresses.

Italy has never beaten England in the history of the Six Nations, with England winning all 25 of their previous encounters. However, Italy’s recent performances indicate progress, including a narrow 27-24 loss to England in Rome during the 2024 Championship.

Italy XV: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Monty Ioane, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti

Reserves: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Lorenzo Cannone, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan