French test awaits Campagnaro

By Mark Stevens
9/3/17

Exeter Chiefs back Michele Campagnaro lines up in an Italy side that shows three changes for the RBS Six Nations Championship visit of France this Saturday.

Having lost their opening three games to Ireland, Wales and England, head coach Conor O'Shea will be hoping for a much improved display against Les Blues in Rome.

With fly-half Tommaso Allan injured, Carlo Canna takes on the role of playmaker. Canna started the home defeats to both Wales and Ireland before being replaced by Allan for the trip to Twickenham in round three.

Elsewhere there is a recall for Angelo Esposito on the wing in place of Giulio Bisegni with Leonardo Ghiraldini coming in to the front row. Ghiraldini was ruled out of the game against England due to injury, having been originally named in the starting team.

Campagnaro, who scored Italy's second try against England, starts at outside centre alongside Luke McLean and will win his 29th international cap for the Azzurri.

 

Italy team to face France: Edoardo Padovani; Angelo Esposito, Michele Campagnaro, Luke McLean, Giovanbattista Venditti; Carlo Canna, Edoardo Gori; Andrea Lovotti, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Lorenzo Cittadini; Marco Fuser, Dries van Schalkwyk, Braam Steyn, Simone Favaro, Sergio Parisse (capt). Replacements: Tommaso D'Apice, Sami Panico, Dario Chistolini, George Biagi, Mata Maxime Mbanda, Giorgio Bronzini, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luca Sperandio.