Benetton lock Alessandro Zanni is in line to win his 118th Azzurri cap in Cardiff after being named in Franco Smith’s first Italy squad.
Smith, in temporary charge for the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, has named centurion Zanni in the second row alongside uncapped Benetton teammate Niccolo Cannone.
We could also see another Italy debutant off the bench in the shape of Zebre prop Danilo Fischetti, with Smith opting for a mixture of youth and experience in his 23.
Guinness Six Nations supporters will be delighted to see the return of Matteo Minozzi at full-back, two years after being nominated for 2018 Player of the Championship following five electrifying performances.
Big developments in the backline sees the South African head coach opt for double playmakers as Tommaso Allan starts at fly-half with Carlo Canna at inside centre, a position he has played on occasion for Zebre.
There is also a welcome return for Benetton wing Leonardo Sarto, who comes in for his 35th cap having last featured against Argentina in 2017, and having last played in the Championship Against Wales in March 2016.
Starting the match is an all-Zebre front row of Giosue Zilocchi, captain Luca Bigi and Andrea Lovotti, with an imposing back row of Seb Negri at blindside, Jake Polledri at openside and Braam Steyn at No.8.
Gloucester’s Polledri is joined by club teammate Callum Braley at scrum-half, Mattia Bellini is on the left wing and Luca Morisi at outside centre.
Italy team to play Wales in Cardiff – Saturday 1 February (kick-off 2.15pm):
15. Matteo Minozzi (Wasps) – 16 caps 14. Leonardo Sarto (Benetton Rugby) – 34 caps 13. Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby) – 29 caps 12. Carlo Canna (Zebre) – 39 caps 11. Mattia Bellini (Zebre) – 22 caps 10. Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby) – 54 caps 9. Callum Braley (Gloucester) – 5 caps
1. Giosuè Zilocchi (Zebre) – 2 caps 2. Luca Bigi (c) (Zebre) – 24 caps 3. Andrea Lovotti (Zebre) – 40 caps 4. Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby) – 117 caps 5. Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby) – uncapped 6. Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby) – 22 caps 7. Jake Polledri (Gloucester) – 13 caps 8. Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby) – 36 caps
Replacements
16. Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby) – 13 caps 17. Danilo Fischetti (Zebre) – uncapped 18. Marco Riccioni (Benetton Rugby) – 7 caps 19. Marco Lazzaroni (Benetton Rugby) – 4 caps 20. Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby) – 26 caps 21. Giovanni Licata (Zebre) – 8 caps 22. Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre) – 36 caps 23. Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby) – 23 caps
