Coach Brunello names Italy U20 side for 6 Nations fixture

January 31, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

Treviso – With just over 48 hours until their debut in the 2024 Six Nations, Massimo Brunello's National Under 20 team is set in stone after the team was announced today

The coach from Rovigo, felt the positive after the warm-up tests against Ireland and France which were played in December and January, as they finalized the last days of training in the Marca by mixing confirmations and absolute innovations, with four boys born in 2005 starting from the first minute and many debutants also between 2004.

Among the forwards, solidity and harmony is guaranteed by the front line row. Pisani-Gasperini-Gallorini were heroe in South African at the U20 World Cup in July last year in South Africa.

In the midfield there is a lot of curiosity in a first start for Martino Pucciariello at number 10 - in turn the son of former Azzurro prop Federico (8 caps, twice champion in the Heineken Cup with the Irish of Munster) - called to take over hand directing the team in the absence of Simone Brisighella, still out of action due to his long-term injury. Pairing with the Italian-Argentine is number 9 Casilio , a fixed point in the team's mechanisms after the excellent 2023 that was put on the back burner.

Elettri and Bozzo give continuity with the past in a fast line that otherwise features 2005 Zanandrea at center, Scalabrin at wing and Mirko Belloni at fullback for the first time.

Five forwards on the bench, two midfielders and a attacking midfielder, confirming that the focus of the match will inevitably be on the first eight men.

“ I see the boys are ready, we have good feelings ahead of the matchi ”, comments Massimo Brunello. “ We know it will be very tough, we have our usual objective, to be competitive from the first to the last minute, always stay in the game, and obviously try to make it our own if the opportunity arises. We will have to be ready to handle the individual battle, to win it physically, managing to keep England's ability to move the ball into space under control. We will certainly have to avoid making big mistakes, last year in Gloucester they cost us the match and none of us have forgotten this."

“I definitely feel the responsibility as Captain, especially thinking about playing in a stadium like that of Monigo, always full of a very competent audience”, says Jacopo Botturi , the new skipper of the Azzurrini. “ Mentally I know I have to handle a lot of pressure, but this type of pressure is one that I really like, and that many guys like me would dream of having to manage. Against England it will be very important to play our rugby without making stupid mistakes, we have studied them on their weak points both in attack and defense and we know what we have to do." Monday evening was his twentieth birthday, celebrated by asking only one thing from his teammates: " I asked them to give me this victory and give us this victory, there is nothing I want more."

The direction of the race - broadcast live exclusively on Sky Sport, the official broadcaster of the competition - is entrusted to the Frenchman Evan Urruzmendi , assisted by his compatriot Benoit Rousselet and the Scot Ian Kenny . Fourth Man is the Italian Alex Frasson .

BINI Francesco (2004, Rugby Rovigo Delta), PADOAN Vittorio (2004, Casale Rugby), MIDENA Mattia (2005, Rugby Paese) temporarily leave the gathering for the expected selection from 29 to 26 players as required by the Six Nations protocols .

Before the national anthems there will be a minute's silence in memory of Manrico Marchetto , a legend from Treviso and Italy (third scorer of all time for the national team) who passed away on Sunday evening in his city after an illness which was as short as it was merciless.

Official training:

15.  BELLONI  Mirko (2004, Verona Rugby)
14.  SCALABRIN  Marco (2004, Rugby Vicenza)
13.  ZANANDREA  Federico (2005, Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
12.  BOZZO  Nicola (2004, USA Perpignan)
11.  ELETTRI  Lorenzo (2004, Rugby Rovigo Delta)
10.  PUCCIARELLO  Martino (2004, CUS Milano Rugby)
9.  CASILIO  Lorenzo (2004, Rugby Vicenza) |  v. Captain
8.  BOTTURI  Jacopo (2004, Petrarca Rugby) |  Captain
7.  BELLUCCI  Luca (2004, Rugby Roma Olimpic)
6.  GRITTI  Piero (2005, ASM Clérmont Auvergne)
5.  MILAN  Giacomo (2005, UR Capitolina)
4.  REDONDI  Tommaso (2005, Verona Rugby)
3.  GALLORINI  Marcos (2004, Mogliano Veneto Rugby)
2.  GASPERINI  Nicholas (2004, Rugby Viadana 1970)
1.  PISANI  Federico (2004, Verona Rugby)

available
16.  SICILIANO  Valerio (2004, CA Briviste Corrèze)
17.  PELLICCIOLI  Sergio (2005, Rugby Lyons)
18.  ASCARI  Davide (2004, Rugby Colorno 1975)
19.  MIRENZI  Samuele (2004, VII Rugby Torino)
20.  ZUCCONI  Cesare ( 2004, Cavalieri UR Prati Sesto)
21.  JIMENEZ  Mattia (2004, Rugby Petrarca)
22.  IMBERTI  Francesco (2004, CUS Torino)
23.  DE VILLIERS  Patrick (2004, Rugby Noceto FC)