Leonardo Sarto returns to Italy side for Wales clash

Leonardo Sarto will make his first appearance for Italy since 2017 after being named in their starting XV for the encounter with Wales on Saturday.

Sarto, whose previous game for the Azzurri was against Argentina three years ago, comes in for his 35th cap. He last featured in the Six Nations versus the Welsh in March 2016.

Meanwhile, Benetton lock Alessandro Zanni is in line to win his 118th cap in Cardiff and he packs down alongside newcomer Niccolo Cannone, who is set to make his debut.

Zebre prop Danilo Fischetti could also make a first appearance for the Italians after being named on the bench.

Fischetti is cover for Giosue Zilocchi, who starts at loosehead, and he is joined in the front-row by captain Luca Bigi and tighthead Andrea Lovotti.

They will look to lay a platform for a potentially destructive back-row with heavy-duty ball carriers Sebastian Negri, Jake Polledri and Braam Steyn combining.

Behind the scrum, head coach Franco Smith has gone for dual playmakers in the shape of  Tommaso Allan, who is at fly-half, and centre Carlo Canna.

There is also a welcome return for Matteo Minozzi at full-back after he missed last year’s Six Nations. Minozzi impressed in 2018 when he was nominated for the Player of the Championship award following five superb performances.

Italy: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Carlo Canna, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Abraham Steyn, 7 Jake Polledri, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Niccolò Cannone, 4 Alessandro Zanni, 3 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Luca Bigi (c), 1 Giosuè Zilocchi
Replacements: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Marco Lazzaroni, 20 Dean Budd, 21 Giovanni Licata, 22 Guglielmo Palazzani, 23 Jayden Hayward

Date: Saturday, February 1
Venue: Principality Stadium
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)