Andrea di Giandomenico has confirmed Italy’s 33-player squad for the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations ahead of their Championship curtain-raiser against France.
Captain Manuela Furlan will lead an experienced Italian outfit, one which includes Sara Barattin – the only Italy women’s player in history to reach 100 international caps for the Azzurre.
They are not the only veterans in the squad, with Ilaria Arrighetti, Melissa Bettoni, Lucia Gai, Elisa Giordano, Beatrice Rigoni, Michela Sillari and Sofia Stefan all having more than 40 caps.
But there will also be an opportunity for a crop of new rising stars to prove themselves.
Francesca Barro, Alessia Margotti, Emma Stevanin, Alessandra Frangipani and Emanuela Stecca and Francesca Granzotto will be looking to win their first caps for their country.
After travelling to France in Round 1, Italy welcome England in Round 2 before heading on the road again to face Ireland. They then finish their Championship against Scotland and Wales.
And Di Giandomenico is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
He said: “At the starting blocks we will meet the two best performing teams on the world scene, France and England, two very demanding matches from a physical and technical point of view.
“In Ireland, we will have to manage our energy wisely. Finally, we will meet a highly motivated Scotland – following qualification for the World Cup – and a Wales team in the process of renewal.
“We will be able to offer playing opportunities to less experienced players and try some variations within our staff, to recover some athletes and see new ones in the context of competition.
“We believe we have a competitive squad, aware of the commitment necessary to guarantee the high performance of the group for the entire duration of the event. We have worked well to prepare for the many challenges of this season: the field, as always, will give us the answers.”
Italy Women’s 33-player squad:
ARRIGHETTI Ilaria – Stade Rennais, 51 caps
BARATTIN Sara – Villorba Rugby, 101 caps
BETTONI Melissa – Stade Rennais, 64 caps
BARRO Francesca – Valsugana Rugby Padova, uncapped
CAPOMAGGI Beatrice – Villorba Rugby, 4 caps
D’INCA’ Alyssa – Villorba Rugby, 4 caps
DUCA Giordana – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 24 caps
FEDRIGHI Valeria – Stade Toulousain, 28 caps
FRANGIPANI Alessandra – Villorba Rugby, uncapped
FRANCO Giada – Rugby Colorno, 21 caps
FURLAN Manuela – Villorba Rugby, 81 caps
GAI Lucia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 76 caps
GIORDANO Elisa – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 49 caps
GRANZOTTO Francesca – Unione Rugby Capitolina, uncapped
LOCATELLI Isabella – Rugby Colorno, 28 caps
MADIA Veronica – Rugby Colorno, 25 caps
MAGATTI Maria – CUS Milano Rugby, 38 caps
MARGOTTI Alessia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, uncapped
MARIS Gaia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 6 caps
MERLO Michela – Rugby Colorno, 11 caps
MUZZO Aura – Villorba rugby, 20 caps
OSTUNI MINUZZI Vittoria – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 9 caps
RIGONI Beatrice – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 49 caps
SBERNA Francesca – Rugby Calvisano, 6 caps
SEYE Sara – Rugby Calvisano, 2 caps
SILLARI Michela – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 63 caps
STECCA Emanuela – Villorba Rugby, uncapped
STEFAN Sofia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 62 caps
TOUNESI Sara – ASM Romagnat, 18 caps
TURANI Silvia – Rugby Colorno, 16 caps
STEVANIN Emma – Valsugana Rugby Padova, uncapped
VECCHINI Vittoria – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 3 caps
VERONESE Beatrice – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 7 caps
