Significant changes here. Three regulars, Stefan, Rigoni and Bettoni, find themselves on the bench as Di Giandomenico widens his search for new faces. He juggles the numbers among the backs where the skipper, Furlan, finds herself back on the wing, Magatti shifting to centre. Ostuni Minuzzi, another 21st century addition to the Azzurre, maintains her place at full-back. Maris and D’Inca are two youngsters with a chance of gaining first caps.
We must all hope and pray for a sterling performance from them; the Six Nations urgently needs fiercer competition. And a finishing position of third will make a huge difference when it comes to sorting out the three tiers for the WXV in two years time.
Only the four players based in France have had the benefit of more or less regular rugby this season.
The squad:
15 Vittoria OSTUNI MINUZZI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 4 caps)
14 Aura MUZZO (Arredissima Villorba, 14 caps)
13 Michela SILLARI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 57 caps)
12 Maria MAGATTI (CUS Milano, 33 caps)
11 Manuela FURLAN (captain, Arredissima Villorba, 75 caps)
10 Veronica MADIA (HBS Colorno, 19 caps )
9 Sara BARATTIN (Arredissima Villorba, 95 caps)
8 Elisa GIORDANO (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 43 caps)
7 Giada FRANCO (HBS Colorno, 17 caps)
6 Ilaria ARRIGHETTI (Stade Rennais, 45 caps)
5 Giordana DUCA (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 18 caps)
4 Valeria FEDRIGHI (Stade Toulousain, 22 caps)
3 Lucia GAI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 70 caps)
2 Lucia CAMMARANO (Rugby Belve Neroverdi, 24 caps)
1 Erika SKOFCA (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 2 caps)
Bench
16 Melissa BETTONI (Stade Rennais, 58 caps)
17 Gaia MARIS (Valsugana Rugby Padova, uncapped)
18 Sara TOUNESI (ASM Romagnat, 16 caps)
19 Isabella LOCATELLI (Rugby Monza 1949, 23 caps)
20 Beatrice VERONESE (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 4 caps)
21 Beatrice RIGONI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 43 caps)
22 Sofia STEFAN (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 56 caps)
23 Alyssa D’INCA (Arredissima Villorba, uncapped)
