Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his side to take on Australia, as the Azzurri get their Autumn Nations Series underway with a high-octane clash against the Wallabies. Quesada has named an experienced match day squad for the battle against Joe Schmidt's men, with just three players in the 23 sporting less than 20 Test caps - Louis Lynagh, Ross Vintcent and Andrea Zambonin.
Quesada has named midfielder Juan Ignacio Brex as Italy's captain, as regular skipper Michele Lamaro is on the side-lines with a thigh injury. Also, Lamaro's back-row brother-in-arms Sebastian Negri will sit-out on the Test in Udine, having been ruled out with a foot injury. Italy have a tough fortnight ahead, with their Autumn schedule booked in against Australia and South Africa, before a more routine win up for grabs against Chile at the end of the month.
ITALY TEAM TO FACE AUSTRALIA - 2025 AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES (WEEK 2)
15. Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)
14. Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 46 caps) – captain
12. Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
11. Monty Ioane (Lyon, 39 caps)
10. Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 47 caps)
9. Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
14. Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
13. Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 46 caps) – captain
12. Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
11. Monty Ioane (Lyon, 39 caps)
10. Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 47 caps)
9. Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
8. Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
7. Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
6. Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
5. Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
4. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps)
3. Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 66 caps)
2. Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français, 34 caps)
1. Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 55 caps)
7. Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
6. Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
5. Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
4. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps)
3. Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 66 caps)
2. Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français, 34 caps)
1. Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 55 caps)
Replacements
16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
17. Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
18. Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 34 caps)
19. Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
20. Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
21. Martin Page-Relo (Bordeaux, 18 caps)
22. Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 86 caps)
23. Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
16. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
17. Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
18. Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 34 caps)
19. Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
20. Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
21. Martin Page-Relo (Bordeaux, 18 caps)
22. Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 86 caps)
23. Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
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