Six Nations: “Italrugby is a show, but let’s beat Wales”. Innocenti pushes the blues

ROME. “I trust these guys. I wouldn’t trade this team for any other in the world: it’s the beginning of a very long road. However, along with performance – Italy plays a beautiful game – we also need victories. Maybe all At first it will be few, then more and more, and in the end we will always win.” Marzio Innocenti, president of the Oval Federation, on the eve of Italy-Wales (3.15 pm, live on Sky Sport and free to air on Tv8), fourth round of the Six Nations. After 3 matches in which the Azzurri played against the Big teams, just touching him, this time success is essential. Even if on the other side there are the Red Dragons, people who come from a place where all children were born – or were conceived – on a rugby pitch. Wales are bottom of the standings with zero points, we are just ahead of them by a point thanks to the bonus point with France: despite Capuozzo’s absence, it’s an opportunity to reiterate the exploit of a year ago, in Cardiff . “Two weeks ago against Ireland I probably saw the best match of the last 3-4 years, but the party was made – rightly so – by the Greens. Tomorrow I would like it to be our turn. Because we deserve it, the way we are playing : I’ve been to World Rugby meetings, everyone showers us with compliments because ours is a fun game, aesthetically beautiful. And all the movement needs it”.

Lamaro: “Allan for Capuozzo, what matters is the group”

Michele Lamaro, the captain, swears he doesn’t feel the pressure: “We have a path to follow, a game plan to implement. We want to have fun, have fun. And win, of course. But this is not one of the last finals, it’s one We face a match with the same attention, determination, desire to improve as the others. We prepared ourselves as well as possible, that was the important thing.” Ange Capuozzo, the Blue Angel, the oval street urchin that the whole world envies us will be missing. “He has extraordinary speed and unpredictability. But Allan will be in his place, with his experience and precision; our group goes beyond individualities”.

The Fir renews with Macron, and Mourinho supports the Azzurri

The Fir has announced the renewal until 2028 with Macron, leader in the oval way: the Bolognese company dresses 5 other national teams that will be protagonists at the World Cup (Scotland, Portugal, Georgia, Romania and Wales: tomorrow is a derby or almost) and the referees. The Azzurri showed up well in advance at the Olimpico: yesterday evening they followed the match between Roma and Real Sociedad, valid for the round of 16 of the Europa League, Jose Mourinho will go to attend some training sessions of coach Kieran Crowley’s boys.

Italy: Allan – Padovani, Brex, Menoncello, Bruno – Garbisi, Varney – Lorenzo Cannone, Lamaro, Negri – Ruzza, Niccolò Cannone – Ferrari, Nicotera, Fischetti. Subs: Bigi, Zani, Riccioni, Iachizzi, Pettinelli, Zuliani, Fusco, Morisi.
Wales: Liam Williams – Adams, Grady, Hawkins, Dyer – Owen Williams, Webb – Faletau, Tipuric, Morgan – Jenkins, Beard . Francis, Owens, Jones. Subs: Baldwin, Thomas, Lewis, Davies, Reffell, Tomos Williams, North, Rees-Zammit.
Referee: Murphy (Aux)