ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Youth and experience combine in an effort to repeat Six Nations upset

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Thursday Mar 9, 2023

For years Italy struggled to find a long-term replacement for Diego Dominguez. Each Six Nations championship came and went, and every year it seemed a different player would don the number ten jersey, none of which were able to claim a permanent hold on the shirt. Cursed it seemed at the time, with an Italian flyhalf having less time in the job than a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

ADVERTISEMENT

Well, like Italy’s resurgence in tier one rugby, the standoff spot has seen a new birth. In fact, the position has become the focal point of much of Italy’s talent with two top-class performers fighting it out over the jersey. Paolo Garbisi has had a firm grip on the shirt since his introduction from junior grade international rugby in 2020 – with Italy’s growth running in perfect correlation with his own.

With Garbisi having been on the receiving end of a spate of injuries in recent times it has allowed for the more experienced Harlequins player, Tommaso Allan, to re-enter the frame. Acting mainly as cover for England’s Marcus Smith at Harlequins, Allen has become accustomed to making the most of his chances when called upon. In fact, he has also shown this in international colours so much so that Italian coach Kieran Crowley is finding it very hard to keep him out of the team.

This weekend sees an interesting challenge for Italy, for the first time in possibly their combined history, the Azzurri head into the match as favourites against the Welsh. With all the turmoil that has engulfed Wales during this tournament, it stands to reason that the Italians are currently the more in-tune group.

Last year’s heroics by Ange Capuozzo will not be repeated this year after an injury has ruled him out. Tommaso Allen has however proven his worth and will take the fullback spot, in a clear indication that he is becoming an important cog in the Italian wheel with the world cup on the horizon.

Garbisi, the younger of the two, will be expected to retain his position while fit, however Allen with his different playmaking style, ability to cover multiple positions and huge international experience could see him become one of Italy’s most important assets.

Italy Lineup:

ADVERTISEMENT

15. Tommaso Allan; 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Pierre Bruno; 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari; 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza; 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (c), 8. Lorenzo Cannone

Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Marco Riccioni, 19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Manuel Zuliani, 22. Alessandro Fusco, 23. Luca Morisi.

Related Articles

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

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



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All