Head coach Nanni Raineri's Azzurre will face reigning champions England at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, with a line-up that combines experience and youth. Leading Italy will be scrum-half Sofia Stefan, who, like outside centre Michela Sillari, will take the field for the 83rd time for the national team.
Veronica Madia is named at fly-half, with Alyssa D'Incà and Aura Muzzo on the wings, with Beatrice Rigoni completing the midfield. Italy face arguably their toughest challenge of the campaign against the number one team in world rugby, with England captain Marlie Packer set to win her 100th Test cap in Parma.
Italy XV to face England
15. Vittoria OSTUNI MINUZZI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 28 caps); 14. Aura MUZZO (Villorba Rugby, 40 caps); 13. Michela SILLARI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 82 caps), 12. Beatrice RIGONI (Sale Sharks, 70 caps); 11. Alyssa D’INCÀ (Villorba Rugby, 21 caps); 10. Veronica MADIA (Grenoble Amazones, 46 caps), 9. Sofia STEFAN (Captain, Valsugana Rugby Padova, 82 caps); 1 Gaia MARIS (ASM Romagnat Rugby, 25 caps), 2. Silvia TURANI (Harlequins, 30 caps), 3. Sara SEYE (Ealing Trailfinders, 19 caps); 4. Valeria FEDRIGHI (Stade Toulousain, 50 caps); 5. Sara TOUNESI (Sale Sharks, 35 caps); 6. Isabella LOCATELLI (Rugby Colorno, 46 caps), 7. Francesca SGORBINI (ASM Romagnat Rugby, 20 caps), 8. Giulia CAVINA (CUS Milano Rugby, 5 caps)
Replacements
16. Laura GURIOLI (Villorba Rugby, 7 caps), 17. Emanuela STECCA (Villorba Rugby, 8 caps), 18. Lucia GAI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 95 caps), 19. Alessia PILANI (Rugby Colorno, 5 caps), 20. Giordana DUCA (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 43 caps), 21. Alessandra FRANGIPANI (Villorba Rugby, 5 caps), 22. Emma STEVANIN (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 11 caps), 23. Francesca GRANZOTTO (Unione Rugby Capitolina, 7 caps).
