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Two uncapped in as Italy lose two key players

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy’s head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, has announced a 33-man squad for the 2026 Six Nations Championship.

Key players like Ange Capuozzo and Sebastian Negri are unavailable due to injuries. The squad features two uncapped players, Samuele Locatelli and Damiano Mazza, signaling a blend of youthful promise and seasoned leadership.

Fullback Matt Gallagher also makes his return, alongside wing Edoardo Todaro, who debuted against Chile last November.

Italy’s campaign kicks off against Scotland in Rome on February 7, under the leadership of Michele Lamaro, marking his fourth consecutive stint as captain.

The schedule continues with matches against Ireland, France, England, and concludes in Cardiff against Wales. Quesada expresses excitement for the tournament, acknowledging its rich history in world rugby.

Italy squad
Prop
Simone Ferrari (Benetton, 69 caps)
Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 58 caps)
Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Parma, 4 caps)
Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 36 caps)
Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton, 19 caps)

Hooker
Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 6 caps)
Pablo Dimcheff (Colomiers, 3 caps)
Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français, 36 caps)

Second-row
Niccolò Cannone (Benetton, 58 caps)
Riccardo Favretto (Benetton, 8 caps)
Federico Ruzza (Benetton, 67 caps)
Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)

Back-row
Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton, 33 caps)
Alessandro Izekor (Benetton, 8 caps)
Michele Lamaro (Benetton, 49 caps)
Samuele Locatelli (Zebre Parma, uncapped)
David Odiase (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
Manuel Zuliani (Benetton, 38 caps)

Scrumhalf
Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma, 20 caps)
Martin Page-Relo (Bordeaux, 21 caps)
Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)

Flyhalf
Giacomo Da Re (Zebre Parma, 6 caps)
Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 49 caps)

Centre
Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 49 caps)
Leonardo Marin (Benetton, 17 caps)
Damiano Mazza (Zebre Parma, uncapped)
Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton, 34 caps)
Paolo Odogwu (Benetton, 7 caps)

Back three
Matt Gallagher (Benetton, 3 caps)
Monty Ioane (Lione, 42 caps)
Louis Lynagh (Benetton, 9 caps)
Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma, 8 caps)
Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

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