Italy player ratings v England: Ange Capuozzo provides ‘sprinkling of stardust’ while ‘pace to burn’ back-row impresses
Ange Capuozzo and Ross Vintcent impressed for Italy against England.
Following their 47-24 defeat to England in the Six Nations clash at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday, here’s our player ratings for Italy.
Italy player ratings
15 Ange Capuozzo: Took his try superbly well and then topped that with a wonderful assist for Ross Vintcent. When he’s in this kind of form there’s few better at providing a sprinkling of stardust that creates something out of nothing. 8
14 Monty Ioane: Produced a lovely chip over for Capuozzo’s try but that was as good as the wing’s day got as he struggled to make inroads against the English defence. 6
13 Juan Ignacio Brex: Also played his part in the Capuozzo score as he collected a chip from Paolo Garbisi before Ioane and his full-back did the rest. Defensively he was excellent too, often gambling correctly with his rush to shut down England’s attack. 7
12 Tommaso Menoncello: Enjoyed a great start to the game when pouncing at a breakdown but was later penalised when attempting another. He also produced a try-saving intervention on Tommy Freeman early on. Menoncello was busy with ball in hand too as he made seven carries which saw him beat four defenders. 7
11 Matt Gallagher: Making his Six Nations debut and while he didn’t do much wrong Gallagher equally didn’t cause England too many problems. A solid outing. 6
10 Paolo Garbisi: Was instrumental early on in attack with delicate chip kicks that bore fruit along with decent distribution, but that penalty miss in the first half felt costly and England duly capitalised after the break. 6
9 Stephen Varney: Provided a good tempo at the base early on as Italy really took the game to their hosts. However, like his team-mates Varney struggled thereafter before being replaced on 53 minutes. 5
The forwards
8 Ross Vintcent: Pace to burn. Vintcent showed on the international stage just how quick he is with a well-taken try as he took a pass from Capuozzo. He ended with six carries for 50 metres in an impressive 51-minute showing. 8
7 Michele Lamaro (c): Will be disappointed not to have stopped Tom Willis as the Englishman crossed for the opening try and wasn’t his usual all-action self at Twickenham today. 5
6 Sebastian Negri: Carried for the cause in typical Negri fashion as he finished with 10 and thundered into contact. Only Capuozzo carried more while Negri finished as his team’s top tackler. 7
5 Federico Ruzza: Solid in his basic duties and chipped in with 12 tackles in a workmanlike 80 minute performance. 6
4 Niccolò Cannone: Like his engine room partner he got through plenty of work defensively as his 14 was the second most from an Italian. 6
3 Marco Riccioni: Brought his physicality to the game in open play and held his own at scrum time. 10 tackles is admirable too. 6
2 Giacomo Nicotera: Had a great battle with Jamie George at the coalface but Nicotera won’t be happy with five missed tackles to his name. 5
1 Danilo Fischetti: A typical busy outing from Fichetti as he mixed the dark arts with six carries and 11 tackles. 6
Replacements: On whole the bench provided decent impact with Manuel Zuliani in particular crashing through defenders at will. Lorenzo Cannone and Martin Page-Relo also helped Italy turn a corner late on. 6
