Fabio Roselli becomes the first 6 Nations head coach to announce his choice of 30 players (see list below).
The same features as last year strike me. Only one uncapped player, 20-year-old Alia Bitonci, gains a place. In stark contrast the number of caps across the rest of the team is huge; nine players have already reached a half-century, and Aura Muzzo is knocking on the door.
Experience is a valued commodity, but my fear is that it reflects the lack of competition coming through. It’s shown in a second way, the club affiliations: nine come from Valsugana, seven from Colorno and six from Villorba. Bear in mind the seven players operating abroad, and that leaves precisely one player, Francesca Granzotto, coming from an ‘outstation’, Unione Rugby Capitolina, based in Rome. It would be a relief to see more players emerging from major cities like the capital, Milan and Turin. It’s an uphill struggle.
A back-line consisting of, say, Sofia Stefan, Veronica Madia, Beatrice Rigoni, Michela Sillari, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Aura Muzzo and Alyssa D’Incà, would muster an astonishing 421 caps between them. but would another year together increase their points-scoring power?
Roselli faces the same problem as Sean Lynn. Italy registered a modest 72 points last year, “outdone” only by Cymru’s pitiful 55.
Looking on the bright side
The positive news is the presence of that new head coach, to add an element of excitement and uncertainty to the brew. Roselli will offer that novelty that every tournament needs to remain young and vibrant. It will be fascinating to see the innovations the new broom has introduced.
At their best the Azzurre can play an exciting brand of rugby. Lets’s hope Roselli and his staff can iron out some of the weaknesses that hindered progress last year.
More good news sees the return to action of the captain, Elisa Giordano, Michela Sillari and Giada Franco. They have been missing for too long.
The Squad:
Forwards:
Ilaria Arrighetti (Stade Rennais Rugby, 62 caps)
Giordana Duca (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 52 Caps)
Valeria Fedrighi (Rugby Colorno, (58 caps)
Giada Franco (Rugby Colorno, 32 caps)
Alessandra Frangipani (Villorba Rugby, 11 caps)
Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Rugby Padova, captain, 69 caps)
Laura Gurioli (Villorba Rugby, 13 caps)
Isabella Locatelli (Rugby Colorno, 51 caps)
Gaia Maris (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 32 caps)
Alessia Pilani (Rugby Colorno (7 caps)
Alissa Ranuccini (Rugby Colorno, 10 caps)
Sara Seye (Trailfinders Women, 27 caps)
Francesca Sgorbini (ASM Romagnat Rugby, 28 caps)
Emanuela Stecca (Villorba Rugby, 13 caps)
Sara Tounesi (Montpellier Herault Rugby, 43 caps)
Silvia Turani (Harlequins, 37 caps)
Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 31 caps)
Beatrice Veronese (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 22 caps) (18)
Backs:
*Alia Bitonci (Valsugana Rugby Padova)
Beatrice Capomaggi (Villorba Rugby, 19 caps)
Alyssa D’Incà (Villorba Rugby, 26 caps)
Francesca Granzotto (Unione Rugby Capitolina, 16 caps)
Veronica Madia (Rugby Colorno,(52 caps)
Sara Mannini (Rugby Colorno, 4 caps)
Aura Muzzo (Villorba Rugby, 49 caps)
Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 37 caps)
Beatrice Rigoni (Sale Sharks, 79 caps)
Michela Sillari (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 87 caps)
Sofia Stefan (Sale Sharks, 91 caps)
Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 19 caps) (12) *uncapped
