Italy name two debutants to face Japan in Nations Championship opener / Photo: Adrian Dennis - AFP
-
El Nino a 'terrifying' threat to coral reefs: UN biodiversity expert
-
Seven missing off Romania after latest Black Sea drone attacks
-
Barcola must get used to Liverpool highs and lows, says Iraola
-
ARKBRIDGE Outlines Jonathan Morelli’s “Picks and Shovels” AI Infrastructure Investment Strategy
-
Versus Trade Wins Best ECN/STP Broker APAC 2026, Marking Third UF Awards Recognition
-
Tech sell-off rolls on as hot inflation data stokes rate worries
-
Three dead as Istanbul sees heaviest rainfall in 80 years
-
McIlroy makes 'solid' start in rain-hit Delhi as Norgaard leads
-
US producer prices see biggest jump since 2022 in added challenge to Trump
-
Seven missing after fire on vessel in Black Sea off Romania
-
Swiatek avoids seed exodus to breeze into Wuhan last eight
-
'Severe drought' declared in parts of UK
-
PM condemns 'chaos' as violent protests grip Albania
-
IUX Announces New Web Client Portal Built for Enhanced Browser-Based Trading
-
'I couldn't breathe', Russell Brand's alleged rape victim says
-
School roof collapse kills teacher, 32 children in NW Pakistan
-
Pope's cancer operation already reshaping papacy
-
Inter skipper Martinez facing month out with thigh injury
-
Zverev cruises past De Minaur to reach Shanghai semi-finals
-
Spanish prosecutors back abuse probe into Julio Iglesias
-
Ukraine's Zelensky defies Trump with Russian refinery strikes
-
Tech sell-off deepens as US inflation sparks AI jitters
-
Holders Australia edge New Zealand 24-22 to open Rugby league World Cup
-
Southgate does not forsee a return to management
-
'Ocarina of Time': Nintendo gives Zelda classic a modern makeover
-
Two dead as Istanbul endures heaviest rainfall in 80 years
-
France charges teen shooter citing revenge for bullying in school
-
After latest Nepal flood, survivors fear for future
-
Martinez blames 'anger' for dig at Man Utd hierarchy
-
EU leaders clash over budget as spectre of French elections looms
-
Crowds build as Albanian PM tours protest aftermath
-
'No place to breathe': life in Indonesia's fire epicentre
-
China-North Korea bridge opens, 12 years late
-
'Can't sleep': Spain's housing crunch upends lives
-
Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia could be postponed but 'no hurry' to decide: AFC
-
Musk calls on Ukraine's Zelensky to 'go' after satellite slowdown row
-
Conrad wields axe after South Africa loss to Australia
-
Still smiling at 117, Albanian may be world's oldest woman
-
School roof collapse kills teacher, 27 children in NW Pakistan
-
Pope has 'good night' in hospital: Vatican
-
Haze turns Indonesia skies orange, shuts schools in East Timor
-
China's economy seen missing target as global shocks bite: AFP poll
-
California puts first US billionaire tax to the vote
-
Costa Rica opens jail inspired by El Salvador mega-prison
-
School headscarf ban meets resistance in Austria
-
Same-sex couple takes fight for equality to Slovakian court
-
World's top cocoa producer aims for a climate-tough bean
-
'High hopes' as Indonesian women get a football league, again
-
Why is Shell facing lawsuits over climate disasters in Brazil and the Philippines?
-
'Expectations high' for Bordeaux-Begles' Champions Cup hat-trick bid, says Depoortere
Italy name two debutants to face Japan in Nations Championship opener
Italy on Thursday named debutants Alessandro Ortombina and Malik Faissal to start against Japan in their Nations Championship opener in Tokyo as they look to build on their Six Nations success.
The Italians finished fourth in the Six Nations to match their best result since joining the competition in 2000, and also beat England for the first time.
Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has brought new blood into the squad for the inaugural Nations Championship and he has turned to flanker Ortombina and winger Faissal to face Japan.
Quesada said the Zebre Parma pair "absolutely deserve it", as he looks to unearth new talent ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia.
"I cannot play with 15, 20 players every game from last year to the World Cup because if something happens in the last few games, you find yourself really struggling having to make players start their career during a World Cup," said the Argentine coach.
"We need to arrive next year with several options per position."
There is experience elsewhere in the team, with Juan Ignacio Brex partnering Tommaso Menoncello in the centres and fly-half Paolo Garbisi alongside scrum-half Stephen Varney.
Flanker Michele Lamaro captains the team as he wins his 55th cap.
Italy face Japan on Saturday before travelling to Wellington to play New Zealand and Perth to take on Australia on successive weekends.
"We know that we have to start playing the best rugby we can and not waste time and miss opportunities," said Quesada.
"Just go to the basics and do well."
Italy stunned England 23-18 in Rome in March for their first win in the fixture.
They also beat Scotland but lost to Wales in their final game of the Six Nations to miss out on the chance of a best-ever third-place finish.
Italy (15-1):
Lorenzo Pani; Malik Faissal, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (capt), Alessandro Ortombina; Andrea Zambonin, Niccolo Cannone; Marco Riccioni, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Riccardo Favretto, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Fusco, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Allan
T.Ward--AMWN
