Paolo Odogwu is set to make his first appearance for Italy since the 2023 World Cup on Friday when Gonzalo Quesada’s side take on Namibia in Windhoek.
The former England U20 international, who ruptured his Achilles in December 2023, will form a back-three with Jacopo Trulla and Simone Gesi in the absence of Toulouse’s Ange Capuozzo.
With usual captain Michele Lamaro rested for the Azzurri’s tour of Africa, where they will face the Springboks twice in July, alongside Capuozzo, hooker Giacomo Nicotera will captain the side.
While it is not a hugely experienced starting XV, every player is capped, with three players having over 50 caps for their country. There are three players on the bench, however, who will make their debuts should they come on – hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, tighthead prop Muhamed Hasa and full-back Mirko Belloni.
Namibia
Italy
“We worked hard both during the four days of preparation in L’Aquila and since our arrival in Windhoek, trying to take advantage of all the moments at our disposal,” said Quesada.
“The biggest challenge for us was to find rhythm and automatisms with the players in a short time. There are athletes who haven’t played for five weeks, some for more than 15 and others who are at their first call-up who had to learn our game principles in a short time.
“One of the positive aspects is the great energy that the whole group is showing in this tour. In Namibia we managed the impact with altitude training, a much tougher condition than what we are used to in relation to oxygen”.
“On this tour, every opponent is important and our approach to the matches will always be the same: to continue to progress in our attack, to show our true identity when we defend, and to give some players the opportunity to compete at this level.”
Replacements
16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, uncapped)
17 Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
18 Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Parma, uncapped)
19 Andrea Zambonin (Zebre Parma, 9 caps)
20 Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 28 caps)
21 Stephen Varney (Vannes, 32 caps)
22 Giulio Bertaccini (Valorugby Emilia, 1 cap)
23 Mirko Belloni (Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo Delta, uncapped)
