Ange Capuozzo: Italy star out of the remainder of the Six Nations while Wales wing Alex Cuthbert also sidelined

Adam Kyriacou
Italy back Ange Capuozzo.

Italy back Ange Capuozzo.

Italy have been dealt a huge blow ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales after full-back Ange Capuozzo was ruled out of the rest of the Championship.

Capuozzo was battling with a shoulder injury in the recent game against Ireland and will subsequently miss the Azzurri’s matches against Wales and Scotland.

The 23-year-old star announced himself on the international scene during last season’s Six Nations and his absence for the 2023 run-in is significant for Italy.

Italy keen to back up 2022 win

Capuozzo will now begin his rehabilitation back at Top 14 side Toulouse, who will hope they can help him recover ahead of their push for 2022/23 silverware.

It’s likely that Matteo Minozzi could step in at full-back for this weekend’s game against Wales in Rome as Italy look to back up their famous 2022 win in Cardiff.

Wales are currently sitting bottom of the Six Nations standings on zero points, with Italy on one point after claiming a losing bonus point against France.

However, the injury to Capuozzo cannot be underplayed as he provides an X-factor in this Azzurri line-up and home fans and neutrals will miss his absence.

Indeed, Capuozzo sits in fourth position in this year’s Six Nations for metres made with 301, therefore averaging 100 per match in impressive numbers.

Wales wing Alex Cuthbert out

It’s not just Italy who are missing a back three player for the remainder of this year’s Six Nations after Wales confirmed wing Alex Cuthbert‘s campaign is over.

Cuthbert will miss the matches against Italy and France with a foot issue, but Ospreys team-mates Gareth Thomas and Owen Williams will be fit to face Italy.

The veteran came on as a replacement against Ireland and Scotland in their opening matches, but didn’t feature in their most recent home loss to England.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has opted not to replace Cuthbert ahead of the Rome clash, with Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit set to continue as wings.

READ MORE: Who’s hot and who’s not: Current and former All Blacks shine, but Ardie Savea in the dock