Italy have included English-born lock Dino Lamb and prop Danilo Fischetti in their starting XV for their first Rugby World Cup match against Namibia this Saturday in Saint-Étienne. these are the only changes compared to the last victory in preparation against Japan last month. Coach Kieran Crowley has chosen a stable team with Paolo Garbisi at fly-half, Tommaso Allan at full-back. and winger Ange Capuozzo as part of an attacking rearguard selection. Montanna Ioane, who scored a hat-trick in the 42-21 victory over Japan, retains his place and winger Michele Lamaro will captain the team. Lamb replaces Niccolo Cannone, who is not in the list of 23 , while Fischetti replaces Ivan Nemer. The latter will start on the bench.Five members of the team played against Namibia during the 2019 World Cup, where Italy won 47-22 in the first match of the tournament for both teams in Japan. “We prepared well for this game,” Crowley said. “There is energy in the squad for our World Cup debut. We will focus on our performance and the next game. We are working step by step, showing the best version of ourselves.” Hosts France, New Zealand and Uruguay are the other teams in Pool A.
The composition of Italy:
Titles : Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (capitaine), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti .Remplaçants : Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Marco Riccioni, David Sisi, Manuel Zuliani, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu, Pierre Bruno.
