Rugby Italy returns to the pitch on Saturday and in Edinburgh against Scotland, Kieran Crowley’s Azzurri team will take part in the first friendly in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. For Ruzza and his team-mates, this is the first test to understand at what stage their preparation is, and for many players it is also one of the few chances to earn a ticket to the World Cup.
The match is on par, as is next week’s match against Ireland, ahead of two less convincing tests against Japan and Romania.and for the Azzurri it will be an opportunity to check what has been done during these weeks of the rally. For Crowley, on the other hand, it’s time to see his players on the pitch and disband the last reserves for the final call-ups to France 2023.
For the match in Edinburgh, the New Zealand coach chose an experimental scheme. On the extreme Pani with the wings of Bruno and John, and in the center – Menoncello and Morisi. In midfield, the seasoned Allan is with newcomer Paige-Relo, and in the back are Halafikhi, Zuliani and Ruzza, who is the captain. In the second line Zambonin and Sisi, and in the first line Ceccarelli, Faiva and Zani. The bench will include Manfredi, Fischetti, Alongi, Iaquizzi, Lorenzo Cannone, Alessandro Garbisi, Da Re and Mori.
Scotland, on the other hand, are a very young team. The extended triangle consists of Ollie Smith (3 matches) at cornerback, Darcy Graham and Kyle Stein on the flanks. Newcomers Stafford McDowell and Chris Harris are the centers, and Ben Healy plays in the center along with the experienced Ali Price in the debut (1 game). In the scrum, the back row with Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (7 matches and captaincy) and Luke Crosby (4 matches) and the second row formed by Scott Cummings and Sam Skinner, with prostitute George Turner in front and support Rory. Sutherland and Murphy Walker (2 matches each).
Photo: Malcolm McKenzie/DPPI – LPS