Names his squad: Jacques Brunel
Italy head coach Jacques Brunel has named a familiar-looking squad of 30 players for the upcoming Six Nations.
Neither of the Bergamasco brothers have been included with place-kicking Mirco still recovering from knee surgery last November while Zebre flank Mauro has struggled to return to his best form since missing last year's Championship due to injury.
The squad will get together on January 20 for a training camp in Rome, with French head coach Brunel sticking with 27 players who featured last November.
The three newcomers are Paul Derbyshire and Gonzalo Garcia, who both last appeared in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, and Zebre winger Paolo Buso, who will get the chance to add to a solitary cap won back in 2008.
Stade Français number eight Sergio Parisse, who has 91 caps to his name, will continue to lead the side.
The Azzurri kick off their campaign by hosting France at the Olympic Stadium on February 3, and have two other home games, against Wales on February 23 and then Ireland on March 16.
Italy, who recently came close to securing an historic draw against Australia in the November tests, also play Scotland and England away.
Italy squad:
Backs: Tommaso Benvenuti, Tobias Botes, Kristopher Burton, Paolo Buso, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Edoardo Gori, Tommaso Iannone, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Luciano Orquera, Alberto Sgarbi, Giovanbattista Venditti
Forwards: Roberto Barbieri, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto De Marchi, Paul Derbyshire, Simone Favaro, Joshua Furno, Quintin Geldenhuys, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Davide Giazzon, Andrea Lo Cicero, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse, Antonio Pavanello, Michele Rizzo, Ratu Manoa Vosawai, Alessandro Zanni
Comments
Rugby_rockstar says...
So when exactly are italy going to announce their match day 23???
Don't they know their are fantasy rugby players all over the place wanting confirmation that their Italian players are fit and playing!?!?!
Posted 14:02 01st February 2013
Piotr says...
@ Lucasrg: Just google "Merthens progetto apertura", please note the spelling of AB former number 10.
Posted 21:33 24th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
@ Piotr ...I can't find anything about the deal between Andrew Marthens and the FIR.
where did u read it?
Sounds really, really good this approach.
Posted 18:49 22nd January 2013
lorenz78 says...
@Piotr: I know about the rule concerning an Italian eligible fly-half playing in the franchises: however, practically those actually playing are the usual Burton, Orquera and Di Bernardo - no youngsters! In recent years: Gower (far from my favourite 10, but still the one Italy invested in for a few years) left without contract just before RWC. Bocchino (far from my favourite 10, but still the one supposed to be the youngtser to groom) forgot right after the RWC.
I do hope the new plan works better!
Posted 10:54 14th January 2013
Piotr says...
@lorenz78 -I did point out that he is not young, but was about his age when he played his first game for the Azzurri. Di Bernardo has been in the last few seasons the first choice in Benetton (the strongest Italian team) and he is actually younger by a few months than Burton but he has been left out. Orquera is only slightly younger. Nobody is clearly a prospect for development. You are also inaccurate on the younger bunch, the federation is effectively banning the use of non Italian number 10 (and by non Italians he practically includes only those who came through the ranks, ie no Argentinians and the likes) - this will give good results going forward. BTW yesterday Mr Giavazzi, Italian Rugby Federation president, announced a development plan for Young Italian Fly Halfs, it is rumoured that this will be managed by former All Blacks legend Merthens. Does Mr Giavazzi read my posts on PR?
Posted 10:16 12th January 2013
lorenz78 says...
No surprises. My usual questions: a) what's wrong with Van Zyl? Is it something personal between him and Brunel? Though I am fine with locks that have been picked; b) I do not see the purpouse of bringing Vosawai in: we know he is not up to Test standards, if we need someone to complete the squad I'd prefer to add a younger player with some potential to develop.
@ davodiablo/carpelone: yes, Derbyshire is actually more legitimately Italian than other players whose name may have more of an Italian sound (for rest of the world information, I think that Italians in their 20s-30s named "Gonzalo" are practically non existent;-)). However, as long as eligibility rules are like this, and as long as countries with a much more established rugby tradition (and players' base) "import" players I will not feel guilty.
@piotr/lucasrg
I read a lot of posting in Italian websites calling for Di Bernardo, who had a good start in this season. I think the matter is that as 32 years old he is not a prospect for development, so Brunel prefers to stick with those who are already part of the group. I have never been a fan of Orquera, but I admit that in November tests (especially against Australia) he was impressive - at least compared to my expectations. Burton is usually consistent, though not shiny.
Concerning younger fly-halves, the matter is that it is difficult to find someone to develope when nobody plays at club level. We lost Bocchino (now playing in lower leagues in Italy) thanks to a very inconsistent management by our federation. I hear a lot of good things about Ambrosini of Treviso, but as long as he does not play there he has no chance. Concerning Buso he played recently at 10, though I think it has not been is usual position and I am not sure Brunel wants to try him there
Posted 13:21 11th January 2013
Piotr says...
It is curious not to have Di Bernardo who had a very good start of the season as fly half in Treviso. He is not young but he is solid, he could have come handy in case of need. Anyhow, the Azzurri really need to nurture a fly half in his early 20s, coming from Italian academies, if they want to be looking at a brighter future.
Posted 06:54 11th January 2013
Lucasrg says...
Good to see Paul Derbyshire back, this guy is really good all around with excellent skills. He was revelled with injured in the last 2 years and hopefully will do well.
Brunel knows what he's doing so we should expect some decent rugby...finally 80 minutes long. Buso is a young fly half who will hopefully learn a good deal of test rugby. I would go all the way with Burton at 10 the first few matches. Thus, I want him more to run-pass the ball then kicking it.
the 7 jersey is incredibly contested among Barbieri-Favaro-Derbyshire.
Italy will target,as favorite pray, the Welsh and the Irish at home. Hopefully it will be 2 wins this year. Less is an under-achievement. 3 wins a statement.They all know this.
England and France are just up there atm. Maybe the Irish.
Forza Ragazzi!
Posted 00:40 11th January 2013
carpelone says...
I will drop two names for the Italians.
Gori and Minto (pity, he would only need couple of inches to possibly become an international lock).
Posted 22:12 10th January 2013
carpelone says...
Davodiablo
FYI, Paul Derbyshire is 100% Italian, his father is an Englishman married to an Italian, and Paul was born and bred in Italy. Definitely more Italian than other Italians in the squad. He speaks with a fantastic Tuscanian accent.
But the question remains. How to Italianise Geldenhuys and Van Zyl? LoL
Posted 22:10 10th January 2013
carpelone says...
The objective for Italy this year is two win, the stretch one is three (only France and England seem out of the reach of the Italians). Especially with a SH referee, and not someone from the Celtic brotherhood.
Posted 22:04 10th January 2013
NHsaints says...
I have to say after their November performances everyone is going to have to watch their backs this 6 nations, Scotland especially.
Posted 21:41 10th January 2013
davodiablo says...
Paulo Derbisiro!!
Paulo Derbisero !
Posted 17:09 10th January 2013
melkdave says...
No suprises,but then i dought few posters expected any.Italy played well in the aurtum,and will be a real force at home imo.France ,Wales and Ireland are gong to have very tricky and hard matches,and i wouldnt be suprised if Italy won at least 2 of those matches.Italy having been improving year on year,and now have a similar style to Argentina,with them trying to bring the backs more into the game.
Posted 15:22 10th January 2013
dan73 says...
Any news from D'Apice? Is he playing for Gloucester at all?
Posted 15:03 10th January 2013
carpelone says...
Is he performing the Haka?
Posted 13:33 10th January 2013