Guinness Six Nations: Italy v England - Teams Up
By RugbyFan
February 1 2024
Debuts for Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall on Saturday in Rome for the opening game of England's Six Nations Championship 2024. Dingwall, at inside centre and the returning Henry Slade and Roots will start at blind-side flanker. And really god to see George Ford as England's fly-half and an uncapped trio of Cunningham-South, Smith and Feyi-Waboso are on the bench. Where do they get these names!
| Italy v England |
|---|
| Saturday, 3 February KO 14:15 GMT Stadio Olimpico, Rome |
| Live on ITV |
Welcome to new Captain Jamie George's as a new era will begin in Rome.
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Head Coach Steve Borthwick said:- "After an excellent week's preparation in Girona, we look forward to the challenge of playing Italy in Rome," "The Azzurri are a dangerous team, with some talented ball carriers and players who like to find space.
"We'll need to make good decisions, keep our discipline, and maintain a level of intensity to our performance from the first whistle to the last." Borthwick added: "Winning a first cap for your country is always a very special occasion. "We're delighted for the debutants who have all worked incredibly hard to get themselves selected in the 23 to face Italy. I know Saturday will be a very proud moment for the players and their families. "My message to them this week has been to be themselves, to grasp their opportunity, and to play with the strengths and skills that deservedly got them selected to a strong Six Nations squad." |
New Azzurri head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his first side
Lock Federico Ruzza is set to win his 50th cap, while the Garbisi brothers - fly-half Paolo and scrum-half Alessandro - make their first start together in a Test match.
Flanker Michele Lamaro is the only captain to retain the role from last year's Six Nations while Tommaso Menoncello returns to the side at inside centre after missing the World Cup with injury.
Teams:
Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Iachizzi, Zuliani, Varney, Pani
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso