When Italy welcome Scotland to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon, the ghosts of 2024 will loom large over proceedings. Two years ago on this very turf, Scotland squandered a 12-point lead after 26 minutes to lose 31-29 in one of their most painful collapses in recent memory. For Gregor Townsend’s men, this fixture has become less about Italy and more about confronting their own demons.

The 2:10pm GMT kick-off represents a crucial opportunity for both nations to lay down a marker. For Scotland, this is a chance to finally convert their undoubted talent into tangible success. For Italy, it’s an opportunity to prove their recent progress under Gonzalo Quesada represents genuine evolution rather than false dawn.

The unusual absence of several Italian stars through injury, coupled with Townsend’s bold selection calls dropping British and Irish Lions stalwarts, adds intrigue to a fixture that rarely disappoints for entertainment value.

A rivalry forged in Roman drama

Italy versus Scotland may lack the centuries-old baggage of some Six Nations encounters, but recent history has provided enough theatre to compensate. Scotland have dominated the overall record, winning 14 of the last 16 meetings, yet the two defeats — in 2015 and, more painfully, in 2024 — remain etched in Scottish consciousness.

That 2024 encounter in Rome represents everything Townsend’s side must avoid repeating. Leading 12-0 after 26 minutes through three tries in the opening exchanges, Scotland appeared to be cruising. Instead, they imploded spectacularly, conceding 31 unanswered points to lose 31-29 in what became Quesada’s first victory as Italy head coach.

The collapse mirrored Scotland’s near-disaster in Cardiff earlier that tournament, where a 27-point advantage almost evaporated entirely. These mental wobbles, these moments where composure deserts them and momentum swings violently away, have come to define Scotland’s championship campaigns under Townsend.

Last year brought some measure of revenge, with Huw Jones’ hat-trick powering Scotland to a 31-19 victory at Murrayfield. Yet Italy’s performance — built around the formidable “Brexoncello” centre partnership and ferocious breakdown work — suggested a team no longer content with moral victories.

The Stadio Olimpico has become a surprisingly happy hunting ground for Italy in recent seasons. Their 2007 victory over Scotland here was followed by that stunning 2015 triumph, and then the 2024 masterclass. When the Roman crowd is in full voice and the Azzurri find their rhythm, this venue can become a cauldron that swallows visiting teams whole.

Scotland’s time running out

There is an undeniable sense that this represents a now-or-never moment for Scottish rugby. Townsend is approaching a decade as head coach — this is his ninth Six Nations campaign — yet his record tells a sobering story: just two third-place finishes from eight championships, with the team finishing fourth in five tournaments including the last two.

His overall Six Nations record of 19 wins from 40 Tests falls significantly short of expectations for a squad that has been described, perhaps generously, as a “golden generation.” The average caps per player in Scotland’s matchday squad for round one is the highest of any nation, while 10 of their 23-man selection are in their 30s. Time, quite literally, is running out for this group to deliver silverware.

The pressure has been building. November’s capitulation against Argentina — blowing a 21-0 lead to lose 33-24 — brought boos ringing around Murrayfield. Townsend’s link to Newcastle through a Red Bull consultancy role raised uncomfortable questions this week, though he dismissed reports he had signed a post-World Cup contract as attempts to “disrupt” preparations ahead of the Calcutta Cup.

Yet there are genuine reasons for optimism. Glasgow Warriors’ outstanding form — sitting atop the United Rugby Championship table and unbeaten in the Champions Cup — has injected confidence throughout the squad. Nine Warriors start in Rome with another five on the bench, bringing club chemistry and winning mentality to the national setup.

The squad is remarkably injury-free compared to recent campaigns, allowing Townsend to select on form rather than necessity. His bold calls — dropping Blair Kinghorn and Scotland’s record try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe entirely from the 23, preferring Tom Jordan at fullback and the in-form Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie on the wings — suggest a coach willing to shake things up.

“Grant is underrated by a lot of people,” Townsend said this week, defending his selection of 35-year-old lock Grant Gilchrist over younger challengers. “His performances are outstanding. We shouldn’t be saying: ‘Oh, he’s 35, let’s move on.’ World Cup-winning teams, if you look at the South Africans and teams that have done well, a lot of those guys are 34, 35 and appreciated for what they do.”

The subtext is clear: experience matters, especially in the pressure-cooker environments where Scotland have historically wilted.

Italy’s injury crisis meets milestone moment

While Scotland arrive relatively unscathed, Italy have been ravaged by injuries that would test any squad’s depth. Star fullback Ange Capuozzo has broken his finger. The versatile Tommaso Allan is unavailable. Influential flanker Sebastian Negri, who has been exceptional at the breakdown, is out. So too are hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi, number eight Ross Vintcent, and both first-choice scrum-halves Martin Page-Relo and Stephen Varney.

The casualty list has forced Quesada into significant reshuffles. Leonardo Marin, typically a utility back comfortable anywhere from 10 to 15, starts at fullback ahead of the more specialist Lorenzo Pani. Alessandro Fusco returns at scrum-half for his first start since the summer tour. The back row lacks the pure ball-carrying power Negri provides, with Quesada opting instead for a more dynamic trio built around mobility.

Yet Saturday will still mark a landmark occasion. Captain Michele Lamaro, centre Juan Ignacio Brex and fly-half Paolo Garbisi will all earn their 50th caps for the Azzurri — a testament to the continuity Quesada has built and the spine of experience running through this Italian side.

“We cannot only have results as the goal because we know that it would be frustrating and not realistic when we see the level of other teams,” Quesada explained this week. “But it’s more about consistency. A good set-piece, a big crowd, organised defence, providing a lot of passion, and we never stop proposing exciting, attacking rugby; that must be part of our DNA.”

Italy demonstrated exactly what they’re capable of when they defeated Australia in November. The challenge now is delivering that level of performance consistently, particularly in a championship where they’ve historically struggled. Last year’s Six Nations saw flashes of brilliance — including taking Ireland to the wire in Rome — alongside heavy defeats such as the 73-24 thrashing by France.

The injuries may have depleted options, but quality remains. The “Brexoncello” centre partnership of Brex and Tommaso Menoncello has become one of the championship’s most formidable combinations, with the 22-year-old Menoncello — bound for Toulouse next season — already established as one of world rugby’s premier centres following his 2024 Player of the Championship award.

Team news

Italy: Leonardo Marin; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari; Niccolò Cannone, Andrea Zambonin; Michele Lamaro (capt), Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, Alessandro Garbisi, Giacomo Da Re, Lorenzo Pani.

Scotland: Tom Jordan; Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Jamie Dobie; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: George Turner, Nathan McBeth, Elliot Millar Mills, Max Williamson, Gregor Brown, George Horne, Adam Hastings, Darcy Graham.

Key players to watch

Italy: Tommaso Menoncello — The 2024 Player of the Championship remains one of world rugby’s most exciting centres. The 22-year-old Benetton star combines direct power with devastating footwork and an instinctive nose for the tryline. His partnership with Brex has become the cornerstone of Italy’s attacking threat, with the older man acting as playmaker while Menoncello provides the cutting edge. Already set to join Toulouse next season, he will be desperate to add to his growing reputation with another statement performance.

Italy: Manuel Zuliani — With Sebastian Negri absent, the Benetton flanker carries enormous responsibility at the breakdown. Former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton described him this week as “so good over the ball and such a powerful athlete,” adding: “Italy has some good back-row forwards but he is the best of them now in my opinion.” Zuliani himself knows the scale of the challenge: “Scotland will definitely arrive with a knife between their teeth. We know they will be confident that they can win. It’s up to us to be able to counter this, nullify their strengths, and then make things difficult for them.”

Scotland: Finn Russell — The heartbeat of Scotland’s attack, whose vision and kicking game remain world-class. Yet memories of his torrid afternoon in Rome two years ago will linger. When Russell is on song, Scotland purr; when he misfires, as he did spectacularly in 2024, they can implode. Townsend’s inclusion of Adam Hastings on the bench — a more conservative, percentage-playing option — suggests contingency planning if things go awry. At 32 and in the midst of an outstanding season with Bath, Russell knows opportunities to claim silverware are dwindling.

Scotland: Huw Jones — Scored a hat-trick in this fixture last year and forms the championship’s most established centre partnership with captain Sione Tuipulotu. This will be their 18th Test match together, and the Glasgow duo’s combination has become virtually telepathic. Jones possesses that rare ability to find space where none appears to exist, while his defensive work has improved markedly. Against Italy’s powerful midfield, his class could prove decisive.

Where the battle will be won

The set-piece: Italy’s scrum has become a genuine weapon under Quesada, with the experienced front row of Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simone Ferrari capable of causing serious problems. Scotland counter with their own formidable combination of Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and Zander Fagerson. In last year’s Six Nations, both teams won approximately 90% of their own lineouts, meaning even a single lost throw at a critical moment could prove decisive. The battle between Zambonin and the Scottish locks Cummings and Gilchrist will be particularly intriguing.

The breakdown: This is where wars will be waged. Both teams are renowned for committing numbers to the collision area, hunting turnovers with ferocious intensity. Zuliani leads Italy’s charge, while Scotland’s all-Glasgow back row of Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey brings collective understanding and relentless work rate. Whichever side can secure quicker ball for their talented backs may well control the contest. As Italian analysts noted: “Italy and Scotland are two teams notoriously fierce in the breakdown and both use many men at the point of contact.”

Mental resilience: This is Scotland’s perennial Achilles heel. Can they maintain composure when momentum swings? Can they close out a game if they build a lead? The work they’ve done addressing their tendency to implode has dominated pre-tournament discussion. Italy, conversely, must prove they can deliver consistent 80-minute performances rather than flashes of brilliance interspersed with costly errors. Quesada’s mission statement centres on exactly this: “Consistency is the hardest thing. It’s about continuing to work, day after day, to always be up to par, always be at the highest level, and be competitive with your performance on Saturday.”

Tactical flexibility: Both coaches have selected utility backs at fullback rather than specialists. Italy’s Marin and Scotland’s Jordan are both more comfortable at fly-half or centre than at 15, suggesting both sides are prioritising additional playmaking options and unpredictability over traditional fullback attributes. This could create a more expansive, open contest with both sides capable of shifting tactical gears mid-match.

Did you know?

• Scotland have won 14 of the last 16 meetings between the sides, losing only in 2024 and 2015
• This fixture has produced an average of 5.4 tries per game over the last five years — among the highest in the championship
• Scotland’s 10 players aged 30 or over represents the highest proportion of any team in round one
• All three of Italy’s 50-cap milestones will be achieved before the match, with Lamaro, Brex and Garbisi given the honour of entering the field before their teammates
• Scotland boast the highest average caps per squad (44.6) and per starting XV (52.9) of any nation in round one
• This fixture has never finished level — someone always finds a way to win

The verdict

This feels like a must-win opener for Scotland if their championship aspirations are to survive beyond round two. Failure in Rome would not only revive the ghosts of 2024 but also severely damage their title credentials before facing England in the Calcutta Cup next weekend. With Ireland visiting Murrayfield in round three and France in round four, dropping points here could prove terminal.

Italy, despite their injury crisis, possess the quality and home advantage to cause an upset. The sell-out Stadio Olimpico crowd will provide passionate backing, while the milestone caps for three key players adds emotional fuel. If they can match Scotland’s physicality at the set-piece and breakdown, and if Menoncello and Garbisi can unlock spaces in attack, they’re capable of repeating their 2024 heroics.

Yet Scotland should have too much firepower and experience across the park. Their Glasgow contingent brings winning momentum and collective understanding, while their depth — particularly on a bench featuring George Horne, Adam Hastings and Darcy Graham — could prove decisive in the final quarter when Italy’s depleted resources may tell.

The key question is simple: have Scotland genuinely addressed their mental fragility, or will Rome 2024 prove prophetic once again? If they can maintain composure for 80 minutes, execute their game plan with discipline, and avoid the self-destructive errors that have plagued recent campaigns, they should prevail comfortably.
More likely, however, this will be another tight, nervy encounter that goes down to the final quarter. Scotland should edge it, but few would bet their house on a comfortable victory. This fixture has made fools of the confident before.

Match officials

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

Kick-off: Saturday, 7 February 2026, 14:10 GMT | Stadio Olimpico, Rome

England have suffered a significant setback on the eve of their Six Nations opener against Wales after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in training.

An update to the England Senior Men’s team to face Wales 🌹 pic.twitter.com/APFvW0R7zU

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 6, 2026

The 23-year-old Exeter winger failed to complete Thursday’s session at Pennyhill Park, withdrawing in the final moments with what has since been confirmed as a leg muscle problem. He did not train on Friday and has now been ruled out of Saturday’s match at Allianz Stadium.

Tom Roebuck, the Sale Sharks winger who has been recovering from a broken toe sustained in November’s victory over New Zealand, has been called into the starting XV as a direct replacement. The 25-year-old, who celebrates his birthday on Saturday, will make his first appearance since that All Blacks triumph.

Injury circumstances

“He pulled out of training in the last 60 seconds and unfortunately won’t be available this weekend,” said England scrum coach Tom Harrison. “He sustained a pulled muscle in the leg area and that’s as much information as I have at the moment.”

Defence coach Richard Wigglesworth had initially played down the severity of the injury on Thursday evening, telling Rugby Union Weekly: “Manny just pulled up at the very end. His leg’s sore. There was nothing specific and he walked off, there was nothing much to it.”

However, further investigation revealed the extent of the problem. Feyi-Waboso will now undergo scans to determine whether he can play any part in the remainder of the championship.

A bitter blow

The withdrawal is particularly disappointing for Feyi-Waboso, who was born in Cardiff and represented Wales at under-18 level before pledging his allegiance to England. Saturday’s match would have been his first senior appearance against the country of his birth.

The winger was on the bench for the corresponding fixture in 2024 but never appeared. He then missed the entire 2025 Six Nations with a shoulder injury, meaning he is still yet to face Wales at Test level.

“Any player would be disappointed with an injury,” said England flanker Sam Underhill. “We’re gutted for him. He’s a very emotionally resilient guy, he’s a hardworking guy. Anyone doing a medical degree and playing rugby probably has a level of resilience anyway. He’s a good guy, no doubt he’ll be back better for it.”
Feyi-Waboso had been in fine form for club and country this season, starting all four autumn Tests and scoring two tries in England’s 100% winning campaign. He was shortlisted for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of 2024 after a stunning year that included three tries against New Zealand.

Roebuck’s recall

Roebuck’s inclusion represents something of a gamble given his lack of recent game time. When head coach Steve Borthwick named his original squad on Monday, he indicated the Sale winger ideally needed “another few days, another week or so” to complete his return to full fitness.

“Steve said the other day he’d be ready in a couple of days,” Harrison explained. “In an ideal world, we’d have given him an extra week but the world isn’t ideal as we know. He trained fully yesterday and he’s been exceptional around the squad. I’m excited to see him go.”

Despite concerns over his fitness, Roebuck has proven himself an impressive operator at international level. The Inverness-born winger has scored five tries in eight Tests for England, including one in last year’s 68-14 demolition of Wales in Cardiff. He also started both autumn victories against Australia and New Zealand, crossing for the fourth and final try against the All Blacks before breaking his toe.

Roebuck has been preferred over Elliot Daly, who could have provided a more straightforward swap to the wing, and Harlequins winger Cadan Murley, who is with England A preparing for Friday’s fixture against Ireland’s second string at Thomond Park.

Squad adjustments

“We do a really good job of what ifs and what might happen and combinations,” said Harrison. “Does it disrupt some plans? Yes it does, because it’s changing a player. But we’ve done everything we can to make sure the next player is ready.”

England have also been forced to bolster their front-row numbers after Bath prop Vilikesa Sela picked up a knock. The 20-year-old, who is yet to make his England debut, has been replaced in camp by Bristol Bears veteran Max Lahiff. The 36-year-old, who can play both sides of the scrum, provides emergency cover should further injuries strike.

Captain’s assessment

Despite the late disruption, stand-in captain Jamie George insisted England remain fully focused on extending their winning run to 12 matches. The hooker, standing in for Maro Itoje who will take over the captaincy when he enters from the bench, acknowledged Wales will be highly motivated as heavy underdogs.

“It’s a free swing for Wales,” said George. “When you’re a leader of a team, you go looking for what’s going to drive us. I’ve no doubt they’ll be using all the stuff that’s going on in the background, the fact that it’s England v Wales.”

On the nature of the fixture, George added: “It’s hostile. There’s confrontation. They are tough games. You feel it in the stadiums you play at, whether that’s the Allianz or the Principality. It’s like there’s a different energy in the crowd and that plays into the way the game is played. That’s why they are great games to be part of.”

Gonzalo Quesada has named a largely settled Italy team to face Scotland in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener at the Stadio Olimpico, despite a significant injury list that has forced the head coach into several tactical reshuffles.

Gli Azzurri convocati dal C.T. Gonzalo #Quesada per il match inaugurale del @SixNationsRugby 2026 contro la Scozia 👉

📆 Sabato 7 Febbraio
⏰ 15:10
🏟 Stadio Olimpico, Roma
📺 @SkySport 1 ▪ @TV8it ▪ @NOWTV_It #GuinnesM6N#Insieme #RugbyPassioneItaliana pic.twitter.com/KG40XrBm6j

— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 5, 2026

The match will mark a special occasion for three Italian stalwarts, with captain Michele Lamaro, centre Juan Ignacio Brex and fly-half Paolo Garbisi all set to earn their 50th caps for the Azzurri in what promises to be an emotionally charged afternoon in Rome.

Italy will be looking to repeat their famous 31-29 victory over Scotland from the last time these sides met at the Stadio Olimpico two years ago – a result that marked Quesada’s first triumph as head coach and announced Italy’s arrival as genuine Six Nations contenders.

Injury crisis forces backline reshuffle

Quesada’s selection has been significantly complicated by injuries to several key players. Star full-back Ange Capuozzo, who has been instrumental in Italy’s attacking evolution, will miss the tournament opener after breaking his finger, while the versatile Tommaso Allan is also unavailable.

The casualty list extends further with hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi, influential flanker Sebastian Negri, number eight Ross Vintcent, and prop Jacopo Trulla all absent from the squad announced last month. Bordeaux scrum-half Martin Page-Relo failed to recover from injury and has returned to his French club this week, while Stephen Varney has been training separately to manage an adductor muscle problem.

In response to these setbacks, Quesada has opted for tactical versatility. Leonardo Marin, typically deployed as a utility back capable of covering positions 10 through 15, will start at full-back ahead of the more specialist Lorenzo Pani, who has been named among the replacements.

“Marin is a player particularly versatile, capable of covering every role from 10 to 15,” noted Italian rugby analysts in their team preview. “During the 80 minutes he could even change position. He is a player of great imagination who can guarantee a certain unpredictability in attack.”

The “Brexoncello” partnership continues

Marin’s move to full-back allows the formidable centre partnership of Brex and Tommaso Menoncello to continue. The duo, affectionately known as “Brexoncello” in Italian rugby circles, have become the cornerstone of Italy’s attacking threat, with Brex acting as the playmaker of the backline while Menoncello provides a potent mix of direct running and elusive footwork.

They will be supported by a back three featuring the electric Monty Ioane on the left wing and Louis Lynagh on the right. Lynagh memorably scored on his Italy debut against Scotland two years ago and will be eager to repeat that feat.

With Page-Relo and Varney unavailable, Zebre scrum-half Alessandro Fusco returns to the starting XV for his first start since the summer tour of 2025. He will partner Garbisi, who reaches his half-century of caps in what represents a significant milestone for the talented Toulon fly-half.

Experienced pack provides stability

Where injuries have disrupted the backline, the forward pack offers considerably more continuity and experience. Only one player, Exeter Chiefs lock Andrea Zambonin, has fewer than 30 caps, highlighting the depth of experience available to Quesada.

The front row features the familiar trio of Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Simone Ferrari – all seasoned internationals who will relish the set-piece battle against Scotland’s formidable scrummaging unit. The Italian scrum has become a genuine weapon in recent years, and Quesada will expect his front row to lay down an early marker.

Zambonin partners Niccolò Cannone in the second row, with the younger lock facing a significant test against Scotland’s experienced combination of Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist. “An important confirmation is expected from Andrea Zambonin, called to compete against two experienced players like Cummings and Gilchrist,” noted the Italian Rugby Federation’s tactical analysis.

The back row is an all-Benetton affair, with captain Lamaro joined by Manuel Zuliani at openside and Lorenzo Cannone at number eight. This represents a more dynamic selection than might have been expected, with Quesada opting for mobility over the pure ball-carrying power that the absent Negri would have provided.

Bench provides impact options

The replacements bench features three players making their Six Nations debuts: Zebre hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, prop Muhamed Hasa, and fly-half Giacomo Da Re. They join experienced campaigners Federico Ruzza and Mirco Spagnolo, as well as the versatile Alessandro Garbisi and the exciting Pani.

The inclusion of Riccardo Favretto provides a powerful option in the back row, with the physical Benetton forward able to inject fresh impetus into Italy’s forward effort in the second half. Pani’s presence on the bench offers genuine X-factor, with the Zebre player capable of creating havoc in opposition defences, particularly in the latter stages when spaces open up.

The quest for consistency

The team announcement comes amid Quesada’s clear mission statement for Italian rugby: establishing a consistent performance level to match their undoubted talent.
“We cannot only have results as the goal because we know that it would be frustrating and not realistic when we see the level of other teams,” the former Argentina fly-half explained. “Of course, we want to compete and be ready for opportunities of winning like we’ve always been but it’s more about consistency.

“A good set piece, a big crowd, organised defence, providing a lot of passion, and we never stop proposing exciting, attacking rugby; that must be part of our DNA.”
Italy demonstrated exactly what they are capable of when they defeated Australia in November, but inconsistency has plagued their progress. Last year’s Six Nations saw flashes of brilliance – including taking Ireland to the wire in Rome – alongside heavy defeats.

Tactical intrigue awaits

The clash promises significant tactical intrigue, with both sides naming utility backs at full-back rather than specialists. Scotland’s selection of Tom Jordan at 15 mirrors Italy’s decision to play Marin there, suggesting both coaches are prioritising additional playmaking options and tactical flexibility over traditional full-back skills.

The breakdown battle will be ferocious, with both sides renowned for committing numbers to the collision area. Italy’s dynamic back row will need to match the intensity of Scotland’s Glasgow-heavy loose forward unit if they are to secure the quick ball that allows their talented backs to flourish.

“Italy and Scotland are two teams notoriously fierce in the breakdown and both use many men at the point of contact to disrupt opposition possession and try to recover the ball when possible,” noted Italian analysts.

The set-piece confrontation will be crucial. In last year’s Six Nations, both teams won approximately 90% of their own lineouts, while the scrum battle between two powerful front rows could prove decisive in an anticipated tight contest.

A sell-out awaits

With the Stadio Olimpico sold out and the passionate Roman crowd expected to provide fervent support, the stage is set for Italy to begin their championship campaign with purpose. The milestone caps for Lamaro, Brex and Garbisi add extra emotional weight to proceedings, with all three having been instrumental in Italy’s recent progress.

Italy team to face Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Saturday 7 February, 3:10pm local time/2:10pm GMT):

15 Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby); 14 Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby), 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon), 12 Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby), 11 Monty Ioane (Lyon); 10 Paolo Garbisi (Toulon), 9 Alessandro Fusco (Zebre Parma); 1 Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints), 2 Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français), 3 Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby), 4 Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby), 5 Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs), 6 Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby, captain), 7 Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby), 8 Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby).

Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma), 17 Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby), 18 Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Parma), 19 Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby), 20 Riccardo Favretto (Benetton Rugby), 21 Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton Rugby), 22 Giacomo Da Re (Zebre Parma), 23 Lorenzo Pani (Zebre Parma).