Italy opt for continuity against England

Italy have announced their team to face England at Twickenham in the second round of the Six Nations, making minimal changes to the team that faced France last week.

READ: Six Nations teams: Round 2

In the backline there is a solitary change with playmaker Carlo Canna, who was on the bench last week, coming into the starting lineup at inside centre. He partners the impressive Ignacio Brex, who shifts to outside centre with Marco Zanon making way. The youthful halfback pairing of Stephen Varney and Paolo Garbisi are trusted again this week.

In the pack, South African-born Johan Meyer continues at flank in an unchanged back row along with Sebastian Negri and Michele Lamaro. There is a change at loosehead prop as Andrea Lovotti comes in for Daniele Rimpelli who falls out of the match-day squad.

On the bench, the talented Tommaso Allan returns and will be looking to make an impact after falling down the flyhalf pecking order.

Italy – 15 Jacapo Trulla, 14 Luca Sperandio, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Carlo Canna, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Michele Lamaro, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 David Sisi, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Luca Bigi (c), 1 Andrea Lovotti
Subs: 16 Gianmarco Luccesi, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Frederico Ruzza, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Frederico Mori.

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