England’s George Kruis reaches out to score the opening try of the game against Scotland, during the 2016 Six Nations rugby match at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Italy coach Jacques Brunel has again been forced to change his injury-hit side ahead of the visit of Scotland tomorrow, with both teams looking for their first win of the Six Nations.
Lock George Biagi fractured a rib during Italy’s 40-9 defeat to England and is sidelined along with fly-half Carlo Canna, who has a muscle injury. Ornel Gega is also out after fracturing a cheekbone.
Biagi will be replaced by Joshua Furno, who missed the first two Six Nations matches with injury, while Kelly Haimona comes in for Canna and will partner Edoardo Gori, who makes his 50th appearance for Italy at the age of 25.
Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini has also recovered from an injury he sustained during the World Cup and is back for his first appearance since November.
Mogliano back David Odiete, who made his Italy debut in the narrow defeat in France in the tournament opener, returns from an ankle knock.
Italy still has a number of other regulars sidelined by injuries, including Andrea Masi, Tommaso Allan, Simone Favaro, Quintin Geldenhuys, Michele Rizzo, Luca Morisi, and Andrea Manici.
The match is traditionally seen as the wooden spoon decider.
Tim Visser has been recalled to the Scotland team as it looks to avoid losing 10 straight Six Nations matches when it faces Italy.
Visser has recovered from a hamstring injury and replaces veteran Sean Lamont, who drops to the bench in coach Vern Cotter’s only change to the team which lost to Wales two weeks ago.
Uncapped Rory Sutherland also is on the bench with Moray Low, Ryan Wilson and Peter Horne.
Italy won in Scotland last year to avoid the wooden spoon and avenge defeat in the previous tournament. Scotland hasn’t won in the Six Nations since beating Italy in Rome in February 2014.
In another Six Nations’ match tomorrow, Maro Itoje will make his first start for England side against Ireland as the team looks for a third straight win under new coach Eddie Jones.
Itoje, a former England under-20 captain and widely regarded as a potential star of the future in English rugby, got his chance after fellow lock Joe Launchbury was ruled out of contention on Wednesday with a hamstring injury.
The only other change from the 40-9 win over Italy in Rome saw Joe Marler return at loosehead prop in place of Mako Vunipola. Elliot Daly could make his England debut off the bench at Twickenham.
The team was announced yesterday.
England started the Six Nations by beating Scotland away, so is still on for the Grand Slam in the first season under Jones.
Ireland won the last two Six Nations tournaments but is without a win heading into Round 3.
“Playing our first game at Twickenham after two away fixtures will be huge for us,” Jones said. “We’re determined to put in a strong performance against a clever Irish side who are the benchmark of European rugby.” MDT/AP
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