Italy team to play England: 2025 Six Nations

After a mixed start to their Six Nations campaign, Italy will face England at the Allianz Stadium this Sunday. Despite an opening loss to Scotland (31-19), the Azzurri bounced back with a 22-15 win over Wales in Cardiff. But their last outing? A brutal 73-24 thrashing at the hands of France. Ouch.

Coach Quesada was blunt in his assessment of the French defeat: 

Changes are coming for Italy in the penultimate round of the tournament, with key personnel adjustments. Ange Capuozzo returns to full-back to make way for Monty Ioane, who is fit again and will take his place on the right wing. There’s also a Six Nations debut for Matt Gallagher (yes, son of former All Black John Gallagher), who will feature on the opposite wing.

In the halves, Wales-born Stephen Varney steps in to partner Paolo Garbisi, while Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello continue their partnership in midfield. Ross Vintcent gets the nod at No 8, with Lorenzo Cannone dropping to the bench. The back row is completed by captain Michele Lamaro and the ever-reliable Sebastian Negri.

The second-row duo remains unchanged with Federico Ruzza and Niccolò Cannone holding their ground. In the front row, Marco Riccioni comes in at tighthead prop and Giacomo Nicotera replaces Gianmarco Lucchesi at hooker, with both Ferrari and Lucchesi named on the bench.

Quesada’s rationale for the changes? “With these changes, we wanted to strengthen our defence, bolster our play up front, and give a break to some players who have given a lot."

Italy have never beaten England in 32 attempts, but after that French humiliation, Quesada is backing his side to respond: "It’s up to us to show that what happened against France was a blip. That can happen in a process like the one in which we are engaged."

Ange Capuozzo; Monty Ioane, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Matt Gallagher; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro (capt), Sebastian Negri; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Marco Riccioni, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti

Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Simone Ferrari, Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan

Coach: Gonzalo Quesada (ARG)

While some have enhanced their reputations, others have seen their stock plummet. These five players were tipped as potential Lions contenders but have endured a tournament to forget.

A veteran playmaker with over 80 caps for Scotland, Russell has been a talismanic figure for his country, known for his audacious attacking play.

However, his Six Nations form has been far from his best. The Bath fly-half has recorded the worst placekicking stats of any No.10 in the tournament, raising serious doubts about his reliability under pressure.

Andy Farrell prefers a steady hand at fly-half, and with young talents like Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast stepping up, Russell’s Lions dream might be slipping away.

Once seen as England’s future at fly-half, the 25-year-old Harlequins star has found himself in an unfamiliar role at fullback this Six Nations.

Steve Borthwick’s controversial decision to deploy him at 15 backfired, with Smith struggling to influence games. After two underwhelming performances, he was dropped for the Round 4 clash against Italy.

England legend Brian Moore has suggested that Borthwick’s tactics could cost Smith a place in the Lions squad, with his fly-half rivals staking stronger claims.

A key figure in Wales’ attack since his debut in 2018, the 29-year-old Cardiff winger was the top try-scorer in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and has been a reliable finisher at Test level.

However, this Six Nations has been a disaster for Adams. His normally clinical finishing has deserted him, with multiple try-scoring chances going to waste.

Wales’ poor tournament hasn’t helped, but Adams’ individual performances have done little to strengthen his case for a Lions call-up.

The Leicester Tigers lock was England’s breakout star in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, delivering a monstrous performance in the semi-final against South Africa.

However, his Six Nations campaign has been a disappointment. England have looked stronger with Ollie Chessum in the second row, and Martin’s struggles have raised questions about his ability to dominate at the highest level.

With injury now ruling him out for the rest of the tournament, his chances of making the Lions squad have taken a major hit.