Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has named his 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The squad features a blend of experience and youth, with captain Michele Lamaro and Tommaso Allan both returning after missing the 2019 World Cup. There are also first call-ups for Federico Mori, Ange Capuozzo, and Marco Riccioni.
Mori is a young winger who has been in impressive form for Benetton Rugby, while Capuozzo is a versatile back who can play at fly-half or fullback. Riccioni is a prop who has been in good form for Zebre Rugby.
The squad is as follows:
Forwards:
- Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby)
- Marco Riccioni (Zebre Rugby)
- Pietro Ceccarelli (Brive)
- Giosue Zilocchi (Benetton Rugby)
- Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton Rugby)
- Federico Zani (Benetton Rugby)
- Niccolò Cannone (London Irish)
- Sebastian Negri (Benetton Rugby)
- Michele Lamaro (captain, Benetton Rugby)
- Johan Meyer (Zebre Rugby)
- Matteo Nocera (Benetton Rugby)
- Toa Halafihi (Benetton Rugby)
- Maxime Mbanda (Benetton Rugby)
- Ivan Nemer (Zebre Rugby)
Backs:
- Callum Braley (Bath Rugby)
- Alessandro Garbisi (Montpellier)
- Paolo Garbisi (Montpellier)
- Tommaso Allan (Harlequins)
- Federico Mori (Benetton Rugby)
- Ange Capuozzo (Lyon)
- Edoardo Padovani (Benetton Rugby)
- Matteo Minozzi (Wasps)
- Monty Ioane (Benetton Rugby)
- Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Rugby)
- Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby)
- Marco Zanon (Benetton Rugby)
- Giacomo da Re (Benetton Rugby)
Italy are drawn in Pool A alongside New Zealand, France, Uruguay and Namibia.
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They will begin their campaign against Namibia in Saint-Étienne on September 9, 2023.
Crowley said: “We are excited to announce our squad for the Rugby World Cup. It is a talented group of players who have worked hard to earn their selection.
“We have a challenging pool but we are confident in our ability to compete and win. We are looking forward to the tournament and giving it our best.”
Italy have never won the Rugby World Cup, but they have reached the quarterfinals on three occasions. They will be looking to make a good impression at the World Cup in 2023 and improve on their previous performances.
The squad features a number of experienced players who will be key to Italy’s chances, including Lamaro, Allan, and Negri. There are also a number of exciting young players in the squad, such as Mori, Capuozzo, and Riccioni.
Italy will be hoping to make a deep run at the World Cup and challenge for a place in the quarterfinals. They have a tough pool to navigate, but they have the talent and experience to do so.
See more: Meet the Players Who Will Be Competing for Rugby World Cup Glory in France
