The squad Fabio Roselli has selected for the Azzurre shows yet another different path to the World Cup (full list below).
Before they fly to England, they face Japan on 9 August in Calvisano. That may well explain the two names added below the list of 32.
The two nations have already met seven times. The current record reads: Italy 5 wins, Japan 1, draw 1.
Roselli has been painstakingly adding new names to his cast. The obvious need is for a younger generation to endanger the places of the many senior players.
These include Corradini, a centre, who was named in the Team of the Tournament at the 2024 Under 20 Summer Series, and Spinelli, a hooker.
Lesley McKenzie has not yet named her Sakura side, but she has her entire squad of 32 to choose from. She too may be looking for last-minute adjustments to her ideal selection.
Italy team list
Ilaria Arrighetti
Alia Bitonci
Gaia Buso
Beatrice Capomaggi
Giada Corradini
Alyssa D’Inca
Giordana Duca
Elena Errichiello
Valeria Fedrighi
Alessandra Frangipani
Elisa Giordano
Francesca Granzotto
Laura Gurioli
Isabella Locatelli
Veronica Madia
Sara Mannini
Gaia Maris
Aura Muzzo
Alessia Pilani
Alissa Ranuccini
Beatrice Rigoni
Sara Seye
Francesca Sgorbini
Michela Sillari
Desiree Spinelli
Emanuela Stecca
Sofia Stefan
Emma Stevanin
Sara Tounesi
Silvia Turani
Vittoria Vecchini
Beatrice Veronese (32)
+
Sofia Catellini
Gabriella Serio
