Conor O'Shea Names Squad to face Japan

Italy Coach Conor O'Shea has named one debutant in his squad that will face Japan at Bank Dome Stadium in Oita in the first of the two test-match of the summer tour 2018.

Marcello Violi and Tommaso Allen form the halfback pairings with Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Benvenuti and Matteo Minozzi making up the outside backs. Tommaso Castello and Michele Campagnaro start in the centres. 

The side will be led by Leonardo Ghiraldini while Andrea Lovotti and Tiziano Pasquali complete the front row. Dean Budd and Alessandro Zanni start in the second row, with Braam Steyn packing down at number 8 with Giocanni Licata and Sebastian Negri either side of the scrum. 

Prop Giosuè Zilocchi will look to make his test debut from the bench.

Italy squad to face Japan