Hammer blow! Italy without 2022 Cardiff hero Ange Capuozzo for Six Nations showdown
Italy's Ange Capuozzo celebrates after the Guinness Six Nations match at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Picture date: Saturday March 19, 2022.
Italy have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Six Nations match against Wales in Cardiff with star full-back Ange Capuozzo ruled out through injury.
Capuozzo set up a glorious try on Italy’s last visit to Cardiff to tackle Wales, securing a historic Six Nations victory for the Azzurri as they ended a seven-year wait for a Championship win and a run of 36 losses.
The Toulouse outside back fractured his finger in Italy’s 31-29 win over Scotland last weekend, which ruled him out of the final game of the Azzurri‘s campaign.
Italy without Ange Capuozzo
Capuozzo also missed Italy’s opening game against England, with Tommy Allan starting in the 27-24 defeat, but he then stepped down from the international stage for mental health reasons.
This means that Zebre’s Lorenzo Pani will start at full-back against Wales in one of two changes to the starting backline. After scoring on his Test debut last week, Louis Lynagh retains his position on the right wing with Monty Ioane on the left.
Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex continue their centre partnership while scrum-half Stephen Varney comes into the starting XV ahead of Martin Page-Relo with Paolo Garbisi at fly-half.
One change in the pack
Ross Vintcent has been a standout for the Azzurri this Six Nations, but the Exeter Chiefs youngster has been shifted to the bench for their final clash of the campaign. Lorenzo Cannone takes his place at number eight with Sebastian Negri and captain Michele Lamaro, the starting flankers, once again.
The rest of the pack remains unchanged as Niccolò Cannone and Federico Ruzza start in the second-row and tighthead Simone Ferrari and loosehead Danilo Fischetti flank hooker Giacomo Nicotera.
Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has opted for a 6-2 split on the bench, which has led to Federico Mori dropping out of the matchday squad.
Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Vintcent and Manuel Zuliani will cover the forwards with Page-Relo and Leonardo Marin covering the backs.
Italy team to face Wales
Italy: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosuè Zilocchi, 19 Andrea Zambonin, 20 Ross Vintcent, 21 Manuel Zuliani, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Leonardo Marin
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14:15 GMT
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)
