Quesada “the Tour? They won’t be simple matches”

The next meeting of the team will be held at the Fattori Stadium in L’Aquila.Italy scheduled from 19 to 22 June, series of training sessions in preparation for summer tour 2024 which will see the CT’s Italy Gonzalo Quesada engaged in three test matches in the South Pacific and Japan in July, opponents Samoa, Tonga and Japan. The base of operations will instead be in Auckland, New Zealand, the city where the Azzurri will move from Saturday 22 June.

Eight debutants for Azzurri among the 39 on the list

Eight absolute debutants in the list of thirty-nine pre–summonedfive Azzurri in their first ever call-up: this is the Zebre Parma prop Muhammad Hasa and the front-line companion and heel of the ducal franchise Giampietro Ribaldsof the Italian-French hooker from Castres Loris Zarantonelloof the Oyonnax flanker David I hate it – among the protagonists of the Italian Under 20 team in 2023 – and of the Bath Rugby fullback Matt Gallagherwhich from next season will strengthen the Benetton Rugby backline. First meeting with Italrugby for the winner of Giorgio Sbrocco AwardGiulio Marini: the third line under Mogliano, voted best young player of the season, had been called up at the beginning of the year for the training sessions scheduled in Verona but an injury prevented him from taking part in the preparations for the Six Nations. The rookies are also included in the provisional squad Francois My And Giovanni Montemauri – already present in the January gathering in Verona – and Jacopo Trulla who for the first time will work with the staff led by Gonzalo Quesada after two years away from the international scene.

The statements of Gonzalo Quesada, CT of Italy

“We have chosen a quality, strong and very balanced squad for this Summer Tour. We know the value of our opponents, especially when they play at home: they won’t be easy games. This tour comes at the end of a very long season which saw Benetton Rugby involved in the URC playoffs and the TOP14 with Capuozzo and Paolo Garbisi protagonists with their clubs. The squad available will reflect the same principle as the Six Nations where some young players will be included within a tested and experienced group – as in the recent past, for example, Vintcent, Izekor or Lynagh – with the double objective of being viewed for the present and for the future. It will be a great opportunity for this group to live an important collective experience – the second of this new cycle – from a human and technical point of view and which fits into the growth path we have set for ourselves. I am confident that everyone in the group will use the context to develop our character, strengthen our team identity and improve our rugby specifically in the areas where we know we can do even better.”