Six Nations 2024: Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney starts against Wales but Ange Capuozzo ruled out
- Published
Italy's Stephen Varney scored his sides winning try against Scotland
Guinness Six Nations: Wales v Italy |
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Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 16 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online; listen on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. |
Welsh-born scrum-half Stephen Varney starts for Italy against Wales in the Six Nations finale but full-back Ange Capuozzo is missing with a broken finger.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made three changes from the home victory against Scotland.
Zebre's Lorenzo Pani will wear the number 15 shirt instead of Capuozzo.
Benetton number eight Lorenzo Cannone also starts in the Wooden Spoon decider.
Quesada has opted for six forward replacements on the bench.
Italy have finished bottom of the table for eight consecutive seasons but the Azzuri go into the game at the Principality Stadium four points above Wales and will look to condemn their hosts to last place.
Varney starts after coming on as a replacement against Scotland and scoring the winning try in Rome. The 22-year-old was born in west Wales, but qualifies for Italy via his maternal grandparents.
Capuozzo, who created Italy's winning try when they beat Wales in Cardiff two years ago, is sidelined after breaking a finger in his left hand.
Italy team to face Wales: Pani; Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, Vintcent, Zuliani, Page-Relo, Marin.
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