Jump to main content
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash

Italy head coach Franco Smith

Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash

Italy’s temporary head coach Franco Smith has picked two playmakers in his side for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Share this page:

Carlo Canna, usually a fly-half, has been named at inside centre with Tommaso Allan starting in the No 10 shirt for the first game of the 2020 tournament.

Alessandro Zanni, who has 117 caps to his name, captains the side in the second row, where he is joined by debutant Niccolò Cannone.

DFP – Leaderboard

Prop Danilo Fischetti is also in line to make his debut from the bench.

Matteo Minozzi, who plays for Wasps in England’s Gallagher Premiership, will be one of the biggest dangers to Wales’ defence. He starts as Italy’s pocket rocket full-back.

“I think there will be a lot of continuity. I think Wayne Pivac is very smart in the way he goes about things,” said Smith when asked to analyse Wales’ selection.

“He spent five years in Wales – there’s a reason why they’ve appointed him after Warren Gatland. It’s going to be again a big physical challenge but I do think they will bring a bit of an attacking edge.

“World rugby is leaning towards a little bit more of a ball in hand approach going towards 2023 World Cup. Definitely the style Wayne played at the Scarlets will be noticeable in the new approach.”

Italy: Matteo Minozzi; Leonardo Sarto, Luca Morisi, Carlo Canna, Mattia Bellini; Tommaso Allan, Callum Braley, Giosuè Zilocchi, Luca Bigi (capt), Andrea Lovotti, Alessandro Zanni, Niccolò Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn

Replacements: Federico Zani, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, Dean Budd, Giovanni Licata, Guglielmo Palazzani, Jayden Hayward

Partners and Suppliers

Principal Partners
Principality
Admiral
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Vodafone
Go.Compare
Official Broadcast Partners
S4C
BBC Cymru/Wales
Official Partners
Guinness
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Heineken
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
The Indigo Group
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Official Suppliers
Gilbert
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Rhino Rugby
Sportseen
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Princes Gate
Italy name two playmakers for Cardiff clash
Amber
Opro
Total Energies
Seat Unique
Nocco
Castell Howell
Glamorgan Brewing
Ted Hopkins
Hawes & Curtis