Italy name side to face Japan on Saturday

Kieran Crowley, coach of the Italian men's rugby team, has announced the team that will face Japan on Saturday 26 August at 18.30 at the Monigo stadium in Treviso, the fourth and last summer test match of the Azzurri. 

It will be the ninth confrontation between the two teams with the balance tipping in favor of Italy with 6 victories for the Azzurri and 2 for the Japanese. In the enlarged triangle Tommaso Allan returns to wear the n.15 shirt who, in addition to being the active blue with the most caps, surpasses Diego Dominguez in the appearances ranking. At the wings Capuozzo and Ioane with the latter taking the field as a starter in all the pre-world cup matches.

Pair of centers formed by Brex and Morisi, while Stephen Varney returns in the midfield together with Paolo Garbisi, who went out due to an injury in the interval of the match between Ireland and Italy.

In the third line, confirmations for Negri and Lamaro - who reaches 20 caps as captain and Lorenzo Cannone who is part of the starting XV. The Benetton-brand duo formed by Ruzza and Cannone will be in the second line, while Ferrari, Nicotera and Nemer will take the field from the first minute.

Ready to take over from the bench Bigi, Fischetti, Ceccarelli, Lamb, Pettinelli, Zuliani, Page-Relo and Odogwu.

“The match against Japan will close the preparation for the World Cup by giving us further fundamental feedback towards the most important moment of the season. We have prepared well for the game and we want to close the Test Matches with a victory in front of our fans” said Kieran Crowley.

The Englishman Karl Dickson will referee the match.