Italy have named a squad of 32 players for the 2021 Under-20s Six Nations ahead of their opening clash against hosts Wales.
The Azzurrini have been narrowly beaten in two close matches with a France development XV, in January and May, and will be looking to build on some strong recent campaigns.
Back-rower Luca Andreani will captain the side, which also features scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi, younger brother of current Italy fly-half Paolo.
And having built up great depth, coach Massimo Brunello admits it was not easy to cut the squad down to 32 players.
He said: “We have a squad at our disposal that we have built on a well-defined path since the camps of last summer. It was hard to select 32 players because there are so many fit players in the wider squad who we have seen during this period.
“The two Test matches against France in January and May confirmed the potential in every area, including those situations which did not go well and which we will keep working on to be in the best possible position for the opening game against Wales on June 19.”
Italy begin their campaign in Cardiff against Wales, followed by matches against France, Scotland and Ireland.
They will close out the Championship against England in the final round on July 13.
Italy squad for the Under-20s Six Nations
Manfredi ALBANESE (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano) Luca ANDREANI (Rugby Bassa Bresciana) – captain Riccardo ANDREOLI (Rugby Carpi) Andrea ANGELONE (Fiamme Oro Rugby) Matteo BALDELLI (Cavalieri Union Prato) Valerio BIZZOTTO (Rugby Bassano) Fabrizio BOSCHETTI (Rugby Viadana 1970) Michele BRIGHETTI (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato) Lorenzo CANNONE (Argos Petrarca) Giovanni CENEDESE (Villorba Rugby) Andrea CUOGHI (Modena Rugby) Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Argos Petrarca) Filippo DRAGO (Mogliano Rugby 1969) Giacomo FERRARI (Unione Rugby Capitolina) Mattia FERRARIN (Argos Petrarca) Arturo FUSARI (Fiamme Oro Rugby) Alessandro GARBISI (Mogliano Rugby 1969) Riccardo GENOVESE (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano) Simone GESI (HBS Colorno) Muhamed HASA (Argos Petrarca) Leonardo MARIN (Mogliano Rugby 1969) Giulio MARUCCHINI (S.S. Lazio Rugy 1927) Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby) Ion NECULAI (Cavalieri Union Prato) Lorenzo PANI (Cavalieri Union Prato) Nicola PIANTELLA (Rangers Vicenza) Luca RIZZOLI (Unione Rugby Capitolina) Fabio SCHIABEL (Rugby San Donà) Mirco SPAGNOLO (Checco Camposampiero Rugby) Nicolò TENEGGI (Valorugby Emilia) Flavio Pio VACCARI (Unione Rugby Capitolina) Ross Micheal VINTCENT (Accademi Nazionale Ivan Francescato)
