Who is in the Italy team?
Italy have recalled Treviso hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi for his first Test since tearing ligaments in his left knee at the end of 2022.
Beside Lucchesi, the only other Italy starter who was not at the World Cup is centre Tommaso Menoncello who tore a bicep in a pre-World Cup game against Ireland. Four of the tight five reserves were also not at the World Cup, including uncapped Treviso prop Mirco Spagnolo.
After being shifted around during the World Cup between full-back and win, Ange Capuozzo has switched again to the wing to accommodate goalkicking sharpshooter Tommaso Allan at full-back.
Italy XV: Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Garbisi; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone, Pietro Ceccarelli, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Edoardo Iachizzi, Manuel Zuliani, Stephen Varney, Lorenzo Pani.