Italy coach Conor O'Shea has
revamped his starting XV for Thursday's match against Canada,
making 10 changes to the side that beat 47-22 Namibia in their
Rugby World Cup opener.
Only backs Jayden Hayward, Tommaso Allan, Tommaso Benvenuti
and forwards Luca Bigi and Braam Steyn also started against
Namibia, with inspirational captain Sergio Parisse rested for
the Azzurri's second Pool B game.
"All the players would like to always be out there and Sergio
is no exception," O'Shea said.
"But sometimes you have to take decisions for their good.
"We have two matches in four days and I have to make
difference choices".
Lock Dean Budd will take over as skipper on Thursday.
Italy will have an untested half-back pairing against the
Canadians, with scrumhalf Callum Braley combing with flyhalf
Allan.
The Azzurri have won seven of the nine previous matches
against Canada.
Italy are in a tough group that also features rugby
superpowers New Zealand and South Africa and it would be a huge
surprise if they were to finish in the top two to qualify for
the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever.
Italy:
1. Andrea Lovotti
2. Luca Bigi
3. Simone Ferrari
4. David Sisi
5. Dean Budd (captain)
6. Sebastian Negri
7. Jake Polledri
8. Braam Steyn
9. Callum Braley
10. Tommaso Allan
11. Giulio Bisegni
12. Jayden Hayward
13. Michele Campagnaro
14. Tommaso Benvenuti
15. Matteo Minozzi;
Replacements:
16. Federico Zani
17. Nicola Quaglio
18. Marco Riccioni
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Maxime Mbandà
21. Guglielmo Palazzani
22. Carlo Canna
23. Mattia Bellini.
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