Son of All Black named in Italy squad
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Matt Gallagher, the son of All Black John Gallagher, has been named in Italy’s squad for the first time for their July Tests, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced on Thursday.
England-born wing Gallagher, 27, qualifies for the Azzurri through his mother’s family and will join Treviso from Bath next season.
Gallagher, whose father won the 1987 World Cup, is one of four uncapped players in Gonzalo Quesada’s squad for games against Samoa on July 5, Tonga on July 12 and Japan nine days later.
The former Saracens back joins Louis Lynagh, the son of Australia legend Michael Lynagh, in the squad.
Italy squad:
Backs: Ange Capuozzo, Matt Gallagher, Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh, Jacopo Trulla, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Francois Mey, Marco Zanon, Paolo Garbisi, Leonardo Marin, Alessandro Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo, Stephen Varney
Forwards: Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, David Odiase, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Niccolo Cannone, Edoardo Iachizzi, Federico Ruzza, Andrea Zambonin, Lorenzo Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Marco Riccioni, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Giacomo Nicotera, Loris Zarantonello
