Elisa Giordano will take over the captaincy of Italy from the injured Manuela Furlan at the upcoming Women’s Six Nations.
An injury to her left shoulder means Furlan will be forced to sit out the competition, which gets underway next month, and Giordano is now set to lead a well-balanced Italy side as they aim to build on last year’s impressive second-place finish.
Italy’s technical manager Andrea Di Giandomenico has named a 30-strong squad, which includes the previously uncapped duo of Silvia Arpano and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.
An away clash with Wales provides the opening test for Italy on Sunday, February 2 and Di Giandomenico believes his squad are primed to make an impact in this year’s Championship.
“We have a group made up of experienced and young players who want to establish themselves in the Italian and international rugby scene,” he said.
“We work constantly to improve and to be ready for the first game against Wales. We have several players with good leadership who are able to support the team.”
Silvia Arpano (CUS Milano) 0 caps Lucia Gai (Valsugana R. Padova) 66 caps Michela Merlo (Rugby Mantova) 5 caps Erika Skofka (Valsugana R. Padova) 2 caps Silvia Turani (HBS Colorno) 10 caps
Giulia Cerato (Valsugana R. Padova) 2 caps Melissa Bettoni (Rennes, France) 54 caps
Giordana Duca (Valsugana R. Padova) 14 caps Valeria Fedrighi (Stade Toulousain, France) 18 caps Valentina Ruzza (Stade Francais, France) 31 caps Sara Tounesi (HBS Colorno) 12 caps
Ilaria Arrighetti (Rennes, France) 43 caps Lucia Cammarano (Rugby Belveneroverdi) 23 caps Giada Franco (Harlequins Ladies, England) 13 caps Elisa Giordano (Valsugana R. Padova) 39 caps CAPTAIN Francesca Sberna (Gloucester, England) 4 caps Francesca Sgorbini (HBS Colorno) 2 cap
Sara Barattin (Arredissima Villorba Rugby) 91 caps Sofia Stefan (Valsugana R. Padova) 52 caps
Micol Cavina (Arredissima Villorba Rugby) 5 caps Veronica Madia (HBS Colorno) 17 caps Laura Paganini (CUS Milano) 2 caps
Beatrice Capomaggi (Unione R. Capitolina) 1 cap Beatrice Rigoni (Valsugana R. Padova) 39 caps Michela Sillari (Valsugana R. Padova) 53 caps
Maria Magatti (CUS Milano) 30 caps Benedetta Mancini (Unione R. Capitolina) 1 cap Aura Muzzo (Arredissima Villorba Rugby) 12 caps Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi ((Valsugana R. Padova) 0 caps Camilla Sarasso (CUS Torino) 6 caps
