Premiership Rugby

Two Changes, As Italy Names Team To Play England In Six Nations

Two Changes, As Italy Names Team To Play England In Six Nations

Kieran Crowley has named an Italy team to play England in the Guinness Six Nations on Sunday that shows two changes from the 15 who faced France last week.

Feb 11, 2023
Two Changes, As Italy Names Team To Play England In Six Nations

Kieran Crowley has named an Italy team to play England this Sunday in the Guinness Six Nations that shows two changes from the 15 that gave defending champion France a scare last weekend. 

The Italians ultimately lost that Round 1 match in Rome, 29-24, and their head coach has reacted by making two alterations - one in the backs and another to his pack. 

On the wing, Edoardo Padovani, a used replacement last Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico, will start in the No. 14 jersey, with Pierre Bruno dropping to the bench. 

In the pack, Marco Riccioni, who plays his club rugby for Saracens, has been included at tighthead. 

That decision means Simone Ferrari drops to the bench, with Pietro Ceccarelli omitted from the matchday 23. 


The other Italy change on a Six Nations bench containing six forwards and two backs, is the inclusion of the Gloucester-based Jake Polledri, at the expense of Giovanni Pettinelli.

Polledri hasn't been capped since suffering a horrendous knee injury when playing for the Italians in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series.