Italy welcome Romania to San Benedetto del Tronto in Round 3 of the Summer Nations Series in search of their first win.
The Azzurri have so far suffered defeats to Guinness Six Nations rivals Scotland and Ireland this campaign and will now turn their attentions to the Oaks.
In their penultimate match of the Summer Nations Series, Italy are ramping up their Rugby World Cup preparations as they look to spring a surprise on hosts France and three-time winners New Zealand.
Italy defeated Romania 45-13 last time the two sides met in July 2022 but it was their first win in Romania since 1991, suggesting it may be a tight encounter at the Stadio Riviera delle Palme.
Italy Team News
Two weeks have passed since the 33-17 defeat to Ireland in Dublin and Italy have named a strong team once again.
Kieran Crowley has made seven changes from that side, most notably seeing superstar full-back Ange Capuozzo returning to the Italy fold for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury against Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations in February.
He forms part of a hugely exciting back three, joined by powerful wingers Paolo Odogwu and Monty Ioane.
There is also a return to the starting team for captain Michele Lamaro, who came off the bench against Ireland.
Alessandro Garbisi will partner his brother Paolo at half-back, while Luca Morisi comes into the centres to join the ever-present Juan Ignacio Brex.
Dino Lamb earns his second cap in the second row, joined by Niccolo Cannone who steps up into the starting XV, while there are two changes in the front row, as Simone Ferrari and Ivan Nemer come into the side at tighthead and loosehead prop respectively.
Italy side to take on Romania:
15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Paolo Odogwu, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 1 Ivan Nemer, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Dino Lamb, 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Michele Lamaro (C), 8 Toa Halafihi
Replacements: 16 Epalahame Faiva, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Lorenzo Cannone, 21 Alessandro Fusco, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Lorenzo Pani
Romania team news
Romania have also begun their World Cup preparation with two defeats, coming unstuck against USA in Bucharest before a 56-6 defeat to Georgia in Tbilisi.
Eugen Apjok has made 11 changes to that side, which most notably sees Cristi Chirica captain the side for the first time since November 2021.
He is joined by flankers Damian Strătilă and Vlad Neculau in a completely new look back row.
Second row duo Stefan Iancu and Adrian Motoc are the only forwards to remain from that defeat to Georgia, with a new look front row of Iulian Hartig, Ovidiu Cojocaru and Alexandru Gordas.
In the backs, Alin Conache and Mihai Mureșan form a new pairing at half-back, while Jason Tomane starts in the centres with Taylor Gontineac, one of just two remaining in the team from Tbilisi.
The other, Nicolas Onuțu, starts on the left wing, joined this time by Marius Simionescu and full-back Hinckley Vaovasa.
Romania side to take on Italy:
15 Hinckley Vaovasa, 14 Marius Simionescu, 13 Jason Tomane, 12 Taylor Gontineac, 11 Nicolas Onuțu, 10 Mihai Mureșan, 9 Alin Conache, 1 Iulian Hartig, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru, 3 Alexandru Gordas, 4 Adrian Moțoc, 5 Ștefan Iancu, 6 Damian Strătilă, 7 Vlad Neculau, 8 Cristi Chirica (C)
Replacements: 16 Florin Bărdașu, 17 Alexandru Savin, 18 Gheorghe Gajion, 19 Mihai Macovei, 20 Dragoș Ser, 21 Florin Surugiu, 22 Gabriel Pop, 23 Manumua Tevita
