Vintcent starts for Italy A against Romania

By Mark Stevens
20/1/23

Exeter Chiefs youngster Ross Vintcent has been named in Italy A's starting line-up for their clash with Romania at the Zaffanella Stadium in Viadana tomorrow (2pm).

The South African-born forward, who is combining life with the Chiefs with that of studying at the University of Exeter, will start at openside for Alessandro Troncon's side.

Vintcent made his first-team debut for the Chiefs earlier this season, impressing in the Premiership Rugby Cup victory away to Bristol Bears in September.

The 20-year-old has previously played for Italy at both A and Under-20s level and was previously on the books with Zebre, featuring for the Italian club in the United Rugby Championship last season.

Troncon said of his side's latest match-up: "The line-up that will take to the field on Saturday is made up of the right mix of experienced players, who want to show their value on the international field. We know we will face a team whose strong point is their physicality, but if we are able to express our best rugby, then we will be able to achieve an important result."

ITALY A SIDE TO FACE ROMANIA A

15 Matteo MINOZZI (Benetton Rugby, 24 caps)
14 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
13 Giulio BERTACCINI (Valorugby Emilia)
12 Filippo DRAGO (Benetton Rugby)
11 Filippo LAZZARIN (Valorugby Emilia)
10 Giacomo DA RE (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
9 Manfredi ALBANESE (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
8 Giacomo FERRARI (Zebre Parma)
7 Ross VINTCENT (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps, capt) 
5 Alessandro ORTOMBINA (Valorugby Emilia)
4 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 2 caps)
3 Filippo ALONGI (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
2 Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Petrarca Rugby)
1 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Petrarca Rugby)

16 Lapo FRANGINI (Benetton Rugby)
17 Emanuele LECCIOLI (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
18 Niccolò D’AMICO (Transvecta Calvisano)
19 Edoardo IACHIZZI (Vannes)
20 Alessandro IZEKOR (Benetton Rugby)
21 Davide RUGGERI (Zebre Parma)
22 Emilio FUSCO (Annonais)
23 Nicolò TENEGGI (Zebre Parma)
24 Damiano MAZZA (Zebre Parma)
25 Matteo MOSCARDI (Zebre Parma)
26 Giovanni MONTEMAURI (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)