Italy Forced into late Change for Argentina

Conor O’Shea’s preparation for his first match in charge of Italy has hit a bump with Tommaso Boni forced out with a half strain. His place in the starting lineup against Argentina has been taken by Tommaso Castello.

Castello is to make the step up next season from Calvisano in the domestic Italian rugby competition to the Guinness Pro 12. He has joined the Parma-based side Zebre. The 24-year-old from Genoa will make his international debut for Italy playing opposite Argentine veteran Juan Martín Hernández.

ITALY
1 Andrea Lovotti 2 Ornel Gega 3 Lorenzo Cittadini 4 Quintin Geldenhuys 5 Marco Fuser 6 Braam Steyn 7 Simone Favaro 8 Dries van Schalkwyk 9 Edoardo Gori (capt.) 10 Carlo Canna 11 David Odiete 12 Tommaso Castello 13 Michele Campagnaro 14 Leonardo Sarto 15 Luke McLean

Replacements: 16 Oliviero Fabiani 17 Sami Panico 18 Pietro Ceccarelli 19 Valerio Bernabo 20 Robert Barbieri 21 Guglielmo Palazzani 22 Tommaso Allan 23 Giovanbattista Venditti