ROME: Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada on Friday announced six changes, one positional, to the starting line-up for the Six Nations match against England at Twickenham. After losing 31-19 to Scotland in their opener, Italy rebounded to beat Wales 22-15 in Cardiff, but suffered a humiliating 73-24 rout at the hands of France last time out. “I know there is not much to compare between the two nations and the two forms of rugby,” Quesada said in reference to Italy and France. “I think it was impossible to beat that French team, but we should not have conceded such a defeat with such a deficit.”

Quesada has rung the changes for the fourth and penultimate round of action, with Ange Capuozzo named at full-back to allow the return from injury of Monty Ioane on the right wing for Sunday’s Test. Matt Gallagher, son of former All Black John, makes his Six Nations debut on the other wing. Wales-born Stephen Varney comes in to partner Paolo Garbisi at half-back, with Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello again combining in midfield.

Ross Vintcent starts at No 8 with Lorenzo Cannone dropping to the bench and is flanked by captain Michele Lamaro and Sebastian Negri. The second row is unchanged in the shape of Federico Ruzza and Niccolo Cannone, while tighthead prop Marco Riccioni and hooker Giacomo Nicotera replace Simone Ferrari and Gianmarco Lucchesi, both named on the bench.

“With these changes, we wanted to strengthen our defence, strengthen our game upfront and also give a break to some players who have given a lot,” Quesada said. Italy have never beaten England in 32 Test matches, but the former Argentina fly-half expects a reaction from his side after the French debacle. “It is up to us to show that what happened against France was a blip, which can happen in a process like the one in which we are engaged,” he said. — AFP

Ange Capuozzo; Monty Ioane, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Matt Gallagher; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro (capt), Sebastian Negri; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Marco Riccioni, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Simone Ferrari, Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan. Coach: Gonzalo Quesada (ARG) — AFP