Italy Women head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico has announced his squad to take on France Women in Round Four of the Women’s Six Nations at Stadio Lanfranchi in Parma.
The sides will play for the Anita Garibaldi Trophy for the first time, recognising a character epitomising revolutionary spirit, ten years after their male counterparts began competing for the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy honouring her husband.
Click here to see the 2017 Women’s Six Nations fixture list
Centre Maria Grazia Cioffi has recovered from an injury sustained in Round Two’s defeat to Ireland Women to be available for Di Giandomenico’s squad.
However second-row forward Valentina Ruzza has been ruled out through injury and will not join up with the 23-strong squad in Parma as they look to repeat their 17-12 victory in Rovigo in 2015.
The squad includes full-back Manuela Furlan and winger Sofia Stefan who both scored in their loss to England in Round Three.
Scrum-half Sara Barattin continues to captain the side and is set to earn her 71st international appearance should she feature in their clash with France.
And the skipper’s half-back partner in all three Championship matches thus far, Beatrice Rigoni, also keeps her place in the squad of 23.
In the pack the experienced front-row trio of Elisa Cucchiella, Melissa Bettoni and Lucia Gai, who have 138 caps between them, are retained along with back rows Elisa Giordano and Isabella Locatelli.
Alice Trevisan and Elisa Pillotti, who both started the Italians’ clash with the Red Roses, will look to continue their impressive form when Les Bleues come calling in Round Four.
The French have won just one of their opening three games after losing to England Women and Ireland Women either side of their convincing victory over Scotland.
Italy Women squad to play France Women:
Forwards: Elisa CUCCHIELLA (Rugby Belve Neroverdi, 60 caps) Marta FERRARI (Rennes, 16 caps) Lucia GAI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 45 caps) Gaia GIACOMOLI (Rugby Colorno F.C., 5 caps) Melissa BETTONI (Rennes-FFR, 33 caps) Lucia CAMMARANO (Asd Rugby Monza 1949, 15 caps) Valeria FEDRIGHI (Rugby Riviera 1975, 1 cap) Alice TREVISAN (Rugby Riviera 1975, 37 caps) Elisa PILLOTTI (Rugby Parabiago, 8 caps) Ilaria ARRIGHETTI (Rennes-FFR, 23 caps) Michela ESTE (Benetton Treviso, 51 caps) Elisa GIORDANO (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 19 caps) Isabella LOCATELLI (Rugby Monza 1949, 9 caps)
Backs: Sara BARATTIN (C) (Villorba Rugby, 70 caps) Sofia STEFAN (Rennes-FFR, 30 caps) Beatrice RIGONI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 19 caps) Elisa BONALDO (Rugby Colorno, 1 cap) Maria Grazia CIOFFI (Rugby Colorno, 44 caps ) Manuela FURLAN (R.F.U. Inghilterra, 53 caps) Veronica MADIA (Rugby Colorno, 2 cap) Maria MAGATTI (Rugby Monza 1949, 17 caps) Michela SILLARI (R.F.U. Inghilterra, 32 caps) Paola ZANGIROLAMI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 70 caps)
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