Italy make four changes ahead of clash with England


Italy have made four changes to the team thrashed by Ireland for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations match with holders England at Twickenham.

Head coach Conor O'Shea's side were thumped 63-10 by Ireland in Rome last time out, coming on the back of a 33-7 home loss to Wales on the tournament's opening weekend.

Three of the changes come in the backs with Tommaso Allan replacing Carlo Canna at fly-half, Michele Campagnaro coming in for Tommaso Benvenuti at outside centre and Giulio Bisegni taking over from Angelo Esposito on the right wing.

The other alteration comes in the back row where Braam Steyn replaces Maxime Mbanda at blindside flanker.

Canna, Benvenuti and Mbanda are on the bench where both props are switched. Michele Rizzo replaced the injured Dario Chistolini in Italy's squad earlier this week and will provide loosehead cover, while Pietro Ceccarelli is also included. Esposito misses out altogether.

Italy team to play England at Twickenham on Sunday: Edoardo Padovani, Giulio Bisegni (both Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Exeter), Luke McLean (Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori (both Treviso), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Lorenzo Cittadini (Bayonne), Marco Fuser (Treviso), Dries Van Schalkwyk (Zebre), Braam Steyn (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Glasgow), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais, capt). Replacements: Ornel Gega (Treviso), Michele Rizzo (Leicester), Pietro Ceccarelli, George Biagi, Maxime Mbanda (all Zebre), Giorgio Bronzini (Treviso), Carlo Canna (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso).

Like what you've read?

MOST READ

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content
We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo