Italy’s journey in the Six Nations has been a tale of perseverance and gradual improvement. Since their entry into the Guinness Men’s Six Nations in 2000, they have faced challenging times, often finishing at the bottom of the table. However, the Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 shows signs of a promising turnaround. This article delves into the composition of the team, their playing style, strengths, weaknesses, star players, and the fixtures they face in the 2024 tournament.
Italy Six Nations Squad
The squad features a mix of seasoned players and exciting new talents. The forwards and backs are well-balanced, with players plying their trade in both domestic and international leagues.
| Position | Forwards | Backs |
|---|---|---|
| Prop | Pietro CECCARELLI (Perpignan, 31 caps) | Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps) |
| Prop | Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 36 caps) | Martin PAGE-RELO (Lyon, 4 caps) |
| Prop | Matteo NOCERA (Zebre Parma, debutant) | Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester, 24 caps) |
| Prop | Luca RIZZOLI (Zebre Parma, debutant) | Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 79 caps) |
| Prop | Mirco SPAGNOLO (Benetton Rugby, debutant) | Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 31 caps) |
| Prop | Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps) | Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps) |
| Prop | Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps) | Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps) |
| Prop | Marco MANFREDI (Zebre Parma, 3 caps) | Federico MORI (Bayonne, 13 caps) |
| Prop | Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps) | Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps) |
| Lock | Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps) | Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 15 caps) |
| Lock | Edoardo IACHIZZI (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps) | Ange CAPUOZZO (Stade Toulousain, 16 caps) |
| Lock | Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 49 caps) | Monty IOANE (Lyon 25 caps) |
| Lock | Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 3 caps) | Simone GESI (Zebre Parma, 1 cap) |
| Lock | Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps) | Lorenzo PANI (Zebre Parma, 5 caps) |
| Lock | Riccardo FAVRETTO (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap) | |
| Lock | Alessandro IZEKOR (Benetton Rugby, rookie) | |
| Back Row | Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 33 caps) | |
| Back Row | Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 52 caps) | |
| Back Row | Ross VINTCENT (Exeter, debutant) | |
| Back Row | Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps) |
The Evolution of the Azzurri: Italy Squad for Six Nations 2024
The Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 represents a blend of experienced campaigners and promising talents. Despite their past struggles, there is a renewed sense of optimism around the team. Their recent performances, particularly in the 2023 championship, highlight a team on the rise, narrowing the gap with their European counterparts.
Playing Style
Under the guidance of new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, Italy has embraced a dynamic playing style. They have focused on ball retention and progression, evidenced by their impressive statistics in the 2023 Six Nations. The Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 is expected to continue this trend, balancing their attacking flair with a pragmatic approach in defense.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 has shown considerable strength in collision and ball-carrying abilities. However, they have struggled with gaining success and turnovers. Their approach of attacking from deep has its pros and cons, which they will look to balance in the upcoming tournament.
Star Players
Tommaso Menoncello and Danilo Fischetti are among the standout players in the Italy squad for Six Nations 2024. Their performances in the previous tournament were noteworthy and will be crucial for Italy’s success in 2024.
Read More: Ireland Squad for Six Nations 2024
Italy Six Nations 2024 Fixtures
The Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 faces a challenging set of fixtures. Starting with a home game against England, they travel to Ireland and France before hosting Scotland and rounding off the campaign in Wales. Each match presents an opportunity for Italy to showcase their development and possibly secure some upsets.
- 3 February: Italy v England – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- 11 February: Ireland v Italy – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- 25 February: France v Italy – Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
- 9 March: Italy v Scotland – Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- 16 March: Wales v Italy – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Conclusion
The Italy squad for Six Nations 2024 is poised to challenge the narrative of underperformance that has shadowed them in the past. With a strategic approach, a blend of youth and experience, and the guidance of a forward-thinking coach, Italy could very well be the dark horse of the tournament. Their journey in the Six Nations 2024 will be a testament to their resilience and the strides they have made in international rugby.
