Italy and England are set to kick off their Six Nations campaigns with a thrilling match at the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon. Both teams are eager to start the tournament on a high note and secure a victory.
Italy’s Comeback
Italy is welcoming back Tommaso Menoncello in the center position after he missed the entire World Cup due to a bicep injury. The Garbisi brothers, Alessandro and Paolo, will form the halves pairing, while the experienced Tommaso Allan will be at full back. Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane will be on the flanks, adding to Italy’s firepower.
Injury Concerns
Unfortunately, Simone Ferrari, Paolo Odogwu, Dino Lamb, and Marco Riccioni are all ruled out due to injury. However, Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, and Mirco Spagnolo have been called up and will be on the bench.
England’s Changes
Marcus Smith, who was tipped to replace Owen Farrell as the fly-half, will not be playing due to a calf injury sustained during the pre-tournament training camp. As a result, George Ford has been recalled to take up kicking duties for England.
Debutants and Injuries
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has included two debutants in the starting lineup. Fraser Dingwall from Northampton will start at center, while Ethan Roots from Exeter will fill the gap left by Courtney Lawes. Unfortunately, Ollie Lawrence is out with a hip injury, and several other players, including Manu Tuilagi, Tom Curry, George Martin, and Anthony Watson, will also be on the sidelines.
We can expect a fiercely contested match between Italy and England as they battle to claim victory in their Six Nations opener. Stay tuned for live updates and game-changing moments!
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