Lorenzo Pani will make his first start for Italy in almost two years after being named in the side to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
The 23-year-old fullback replaces Juan Ignacio Brexin the only personnel change to the team that beat Scotland 18-15 last weekend in atrociously wet conditions in Rome.
“We’ve decided to put our faith in Lorenzo Pani,” coach Gonzalo Quesada told reporters.
“He worked hard in November, training the entire time with the national team without ever playing. Then he improved a lot and is coming off two or three excellent matches with Zebre.
“Some of his qualities will be important on Saturday.”
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Leonardo Marin shifts from No 15 to outside centre to replace Argentina-born Brex, who was left out for family reasons after winning his 50th cap against Scotland.
Pani, who has nine caps, was part of the Italy squad at the 2023 World Cup.
On the bench, loose forward David Odiase and back Paolo Odogwu, who both have Nigerian heritage, come in with Pani promoted to the starting lineup and flyhalf Giacomo Da Re missing out.
Odiase, whose parents are Nigerian, was a talented goalkeeper in his youth and even went for a trial at AC Milan before choosing to concentrate on rugby.
Odogwu, who plays at centre or on the wing and whose father is half Nigerian and half Italian, was born and brought up in England.
An England youth international, he was called up by then-England coach Eddie Jones to the 2021 Six Nations squad but never turned out for the team.
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Italy are seeking only their second victory over Ireland in the Six Nations. Their one success, in 26 previous attempts in the competition, was a 22-15 win in Rome in 2013.
Ireland come into the match smarting from their 36-14 loss to France in their tournament opener last week.
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Quesada is still without a host of injured first-team regulars including scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo, flyhalf Tommaso Allan, loose forwards Sebastian Negri and Ross Vintcent, hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi and prop Marco Riccioni, as well as dazzling young wing Edoardo Todaro.
And although dashing winger Ange Capuozzo returned to the squad earlier this week following a finger injury, he has not been picked.
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ITALY – 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Leonardo Marin, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Michele Lamaro (c), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Bench: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiase, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Paolo Odogwu.
The boys believe a struggling Ireland team will still be too strong for Italy in Dublin. pic.twitter.com/3OiU7Z2360
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) February 12, 2026
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
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