Edoardo Padovani is set for his first start of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations on Saturday, in one of four changes for Italy’s trip to Scotland.
Padovani comes in for Jacopo Trulla, who has been released to his club, at full-back, while there is also a change at inside centre where Federico Mori replaces Carlo Canna.
There are also two changes among the forwards, as Marco Riccioni starts ahead of Giosue Zilocchi at tighthead prop and Federico Ruzza replaces David Sisi at second row.
Italy last beat Scotland in 2015, with a late penalty try securing a 22-19 win at BT Murrayfield, and Franco Smith is eager to secure a similar result.
“We have a big challenge ahead of us,” head coach Franco Smith said.
“Our work during the week was excellent. We want to win on Saturday, closing the Championship in the best possible way and continuing on the path of becoming more and more competitive.”
Italy team:
15 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 27 caps)*
14 Mattia BELLINI (Zebre Rugby Club, 30 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
12 Federico MORI (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano, 8 caps)*
11 Montanna IOANE (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)*
9 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby, 6 caps)
8 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)*
7 Johan MEYER (Zebre Rugby Club, 13 caps)
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 32 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 21 caps)*
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)*
3 Marco RICCIONI (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)*
2 Luca BIGI (Zebre Rugby Club, 36 caps) – capitano
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 11 caps)*
Replacements:
16 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)*
17 Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 46 caps)*
18 Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre Rugby Club, 14 caps)*
19 Riccardo FAVRETTO (Mogliano Rugby 1969, esordiente)
20 Maxime MBANDA’ (Zebre Rugby Club, 28 caps)*
21 Marcello VIOLI (Zebre Rugby Club, 20 caps)*
22 Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby Club, 51 caps)
23 Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)*
