Franco Smith has called on his Italy side to build a strong foundation for the future after naming a 33-man training squad ahead of their Championship return later this month.
The Azzurri kick-start the resumption of this year’s Guinness Six Nations alongside Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on October 24, before bringing their campaign to its delayed conclusion at home to England a week later.
With three defeats in their opening three fixtures so far, Italy will be hoping to finish on a high by upsetting two of the challengers looking to get their hands on the trophy.
Ahead of the team’s trip to Dublin, preparations will begin in Rome this weekend, while an updated 31-man squad drawn up by Smith and his staff will be announced on October 18.
Among those called up to the Italian capital are seven uncapped names, with Stephen Varney, Paolo Garbisi, Federico Mori, Jacopo Trulla, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Riccardo Favretto and Giovanni Pettinelli all vying for their first national appearances.
Monty Ioane has also been invited to take part in training – and Smith has emphasised he has one eye on the long-term exploits of his team.
He said: “We have a good mixture of experienced individuals – who know the value of the blue jersey – and young rugby players who have come through the ranks and have the desire to emerge on the international scene.
“These camps play a key role in forming a pathway for the younger athletes and creating a solid basis for the present and future of the national team.”
Backs
Callum Braley (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
Stephen Varney (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Marcello Violi (Zebre Rugby Club, 15 caps)
Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby, 57 caps)
Carlo Canna (Zebre Rugby Club, 42 caps)
Paolo Garbisi (Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
Giulio Bisegni (Zebre Rugby Club, 16 caps)
Luca Morisi (Benetton Rugby, 32 caps)
Marco Zanon (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
Mattia Bellini (Zebre Rugby Club, 25 caps)
Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby, 26 caps)
Matteo Minozzi (Wasps, 19 caps)
Federico Mori (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano, uncapped)
Edoardo Padovani (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)
Jacopo Trulla (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano, uncapped)
Forwards
Pietro Ceccarelli (Brive, 9 caps)
Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 29 caps)
Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps)
Cherif Traore (Benetton Rugby, 10 caps)
Giosue Zilocchi (Zebre Rugby Club, 5 caps)
Luca Bigi (Zebre Rugby Club, 27 caps) – captain
Leonardo Ghiraldini (svincolato, 104 caps)
Gianmarco Lucchesi (Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
Riccardo Favretto (Mogliano Rugby/Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
Marco Lazzaroni (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
David Sisi (Zebre Rugby Club, 9 caps)
Maxime Mbanda (Zebre Rugby Club, 20 caps)
Johan Meyer (Zebre Rugby Club, 4 caps)
Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)
Giovanni Pettinelli (Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
Jake Polledri (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps)
Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby, 39 caps)
