Skip to content
GO TO bet365 Sports
Italy Rugby
  1. Rugby Union
  2. International Rugby Union

Italy rugby union team: Fixtures, squad, key players, head coach and kit

Previously seen as the common underdogs of the Six Nations, Italy have batted away calls to be replaced in the competition and are now respected as a danger to whoever they play.

It was only three years ago that Italy were facing calls from all over to be replaced by Georgia in the Six Nations. One win in 40 matches in the competition led to the majority of the rugby world believing it was time for a change.

Fast forward to 2025 and the word dark horses has been branded around, such is the complete transformation in the Azzurri's fortunes.

In 2024, wins over Scotland and Wales showed promise for the Italians, but a 13-13 draw with favourites France in Lille really put them on the map. It would've been a famous win to lift them to fourth in the standings had they nailed a last minute penalty in the match.

Despite this, impressive wins over Tonga, Georgia and Japan have only added to Italy's hype, not to mention a heroic performance against the All Blacks which saw them run out eventual 11-29 losers in a match which demonstrated their ability to compete with the very best.

For the first time since they joined the competition, the Azzurri go into this year's tournament full of hope and promise for what could be an exciting time in Italian rugby.

Rugby Union

Italy rugby union fixtures

Six Nations 2025:

  • Saturday 1st February 2025: Scotland v Italy, Murryfield Stadium (14:15 GMT).
  • Saturday 8th February 2025: Italy v Wales, Stadio Olimpico (14:15 GMT)
  • Sunday 23rd February 2025: Italy v France, Stadio Olimpico (15:00 GMT)
  • Sunday 9th March 2025: England v Italy, Twickenham Stadium (16:45 GMT)
  • Saturday 15th March 2025: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Olimpico (14:15 GMT)

Italy rugby union squad

Squad list

Forwards:

Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton), Niccolo Cannone (Benetton), Riccardo Favretto (Benetton), Simone Ferrari (Benetton), Danilo Fischetti (Zebre Parma), Alessandro Izekor (Benetton), Dino Lamb (Harlequins), Michele Lamaro (Benetton, captain), Gianmarco Lucchesi (Toulon), Sebastian Negri (Benetton), Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Francais), Marco Riccioni (Saracens), Luca Rizzoli (Zebre Parma), Federico Ruzza (Benetton), Ross Vintcent (Exeter), Giosue Zilocchi (Benetton), Manuel Zuliani (Benetton).

Backs:

Tommaso Allan (Perpignan), Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton), Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse), Matt Gallagher (Benetton), Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton), Paolo Garbisi (Toulon), Simone Gesi (Zebre Parma), Monty Ioane (Lyon), Leonardo Marin (Benetton), Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton), Martin Page-Relo (Lyon), Jacopo Trulla (Zebre Parma), Stephen Varney (Vannes).

Six Nations 2025 squad lists for every team

Key players

Tommaso Allan

Central to every team's success in Rugby Union is the fly-half. Often seen as the conductor of the side, it is very difficult to perform as a team when your fly-half is out of sync.

Sometimes, a steady fly-half who will guarantee you a 7/10 every week and will hit conversion stats in the 90% and above is all that you need.

The Italians have this in Tommaso Allan. Even in the torrid years of wooden spoon after wooden spoon, Tommaso Allan would consistently be a solid performer.

Now, with a team around him constantly improving, Allan is able to show more of his attacking game and in the last competition became both Italy's highest point scorer and try scorer in Six Nations history.

Michele Lamaro

When discussing captains and leaders, typically vocal and inspirational leaders are mentioned. Leading by example has become somewhat of a forgotten art.

In Michele Lamaro, the Azzurri have both. Everything you could want in a leader, you see in Michele Lamaro and he has been central to this Italian resurgence.

As a leader, he is capable of extracting every inch of effort and hard work from his teammates and as a player, he works harder than anyone else.

In 2024, he even set a new record for the most tackles in a Six Nations Championship with 103 in just five matches. At 26, he will be captaining his side into his fourth Six Nations, a testament to his leadership abilities.

Italy rugby union head coach

Gonzalo Quesada

Unlike the majority of Italian head coaches, the Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada has seen nothing but progress since taking over the reins in 2024.

His first Six Nations Championship saw his side win twice, draw once and, most impressively, only lose twice. Furthermore, a 36-0 loss in Dublin aside, his team were competitive in every match at the last tournament.

His record as Italy boss so far has been stellar, with five wins, one draw and five losses last year prompting hope the Azzurri could perform fresh heroics in this year's Six Nations.

Italy rugby union kit

The Italy national rugby union team traditionally wear an all blue home kit. The 2024/25 version has navy blue artistic detailing and baby blue trimmings.

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy

New to bet365? Bet £10 & Get £50 in Free Bets Join Now

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.