Italy change three for French Test

Franco Smith has made three changes to his starting line-up for Italy’s final group game in the Autumn Nations Cup against France in Paris on Saturday.

The Azzurri are without Jake Polledri and Sebastian Negri for the trip to Stade de France, with Maxime Mbanda and Johan Meyer coming into the back row in their stead. In the backline, the only other change sees the return of Luca Sperandio to the wing in place of Mattia Bellini, while Michele Lamaro and Cristian Stoian could win their first caps from the bench.

Italy team to face France

15. Matteo MINOZZI (Wasps)

14. Jacopo TRULLA (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano)

13. Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby)

12. Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby Club)

11. Luca SPERANDIO (Benetton Rugby)

10. Paolo GARBISI (Benetton Rugby)

9. Marcello VIOLI (Zebre Rugby Club)

1. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Rugby Club)

2. Luca BIGI (Zebre Rugby Club) (c)

3. Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre Rugby Club)

4. Marco LAZZARONI (Benetton Rugby)

5. Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby)

6. Maxime MBANDA (Zebre Rugby Club)

7. Johan MEYER (Zebre Rugby Club)

8. Braam STEYN (Benetton Rugby)

Replacements

16. Leonardo GHIRALDINI (No club)

17. Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby)

18. Pietro CECCARELLI (Brive)

19. Cristian STOIAN (Fiamme Oro Rugby)

20. Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby)

21. Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby)

22. Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Rugby)

23. Federico MORI (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano)