ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Italy shift highly promising backline star to try recreate 2022 magic

BY Philip Bendon  ·  Friday Feb 23, 2024

Italy’s Azzurri travel to Lille this weekend in search of their first Guinness Six Nations victory since 2022.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pushing England all the way in round one before getting thumped by Ireland in Dublin, it has been a case of the same old story from a results standpoint for Italy thus far in the Championship.

Now under new leadership with head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the Azzurri have shown moments of brilliance, with several young players offering snippets of their potential.

Front and centre of these youngsters has been utility back Tommaso Menoncello, who caused England’s new rush defence all sorts of trouble in round one.

The 21-year-old is a physical specimen who stands at 6’2″ and 110kg; crucially, he plays like a player of this physique as he dominates the contact point.

Starting the first two matches in the centres, Menoncelloe formed a powerful combination with Ignacio Brex.

Yet despite the moments of brilliance from the partnership, Quesada has opted for a change ahead of Italy’s clash with France.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shifting Menoncello to the wing this weekend as Federico Mori wears the number 12 shirt, Quesada looks to be adding more power to his backline to counter the size of their French counterparts.

No stranger to this position, the Benetton star actually scored the first try of his international career playing against Les Bleus on the wing.

Not only was it his first try, but it was an absolute doozy as he pulled off an inch-perfect landing to get over for the score.

Although Italy lost this clash, the Azzurri went on to record a breathtaking victory over Wales in Cardiff.

ADVERTISEMENT

On that day, the Azzurri were magnificent, with fullback Ange Capuozzo truly announcing himself to the world stage with a moment of individual brilliance to set up Edoardo Padovani for the winning try.

Related Articles

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Franรงais

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse couldโ€™ve written Johnnyโ€™s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    โ€˜The knee slide was too muchโ€™ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

    You Wonโ€™t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 110 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 133 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    โ€˜The knee slide was too muchโ€™ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All