Italy’s Rising Force: A Deep dive into the 2026 Six Nations Squad
The narrative surrounding the italian national rugby team has undergone a dramatic shift. No longer content with simply participating in the Six Nations, Italy, under the guidance of Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada, is emerging as a genuine competitor. With a squad boasting world-class talent like the electrifying Ange Capuozzo and the dynamic tommaso Menoncello – crowned the 2024 Player of the Tournament – the Azzurri are poised to challenge even the most established rugby nations. this article provides a thorough overview of the Italy Six Nations 2026 squad, key fixtures, and a look back at their performance in the 2025 campaign.
The Quesada Era: A new Dawn for Italian Rugby
Gonzalo Quesada’s appointment as head coach has been instrumental in Italy’s resurgence. His strategic approach and emphasis on developing a cohesive, attacking style of play have breathed new life into the team. Quesada, a former Argentinian international, brings a wealth of experience and a tactical acumen that has quickly translated into improved results. He’s fostered a culture of belief and resilience within the squad, empowering players to express their individual talents while maintaining a strong team ethic.
The impact of Quesada’s leadership is evident in Italy’s increasingly competitive performances. The team is no longer simply aiming to avoid heavy defeats; they are actively seeking opportunities to secure victories and make a statement on the international stage. This shift in mindset, coupled with the emergence of exciting young players, has generated a palpable sense of optimism among Italian rugby fans.
2026 Six Nations Fixtures: Mark Your Calendars
Italy will face a challenging but exciting schedule in the 2026 Six Nations. Here’s a look at their key fixtures:
* Sat 6 february: Italy v Scotland (kick-off 2.10pm GMT, Stadio Olimpico, Rome) – Live on the BBC in the UK
* Sat 14 February: Ireland v Italy (kick-off 2.10pm GMT, Aviva stadium, Dublin) – live on ITV in the UK
* Sun 22 February: France v Italy (kick-off 3.10pm GMT, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille) – Live on ITV in the UK
* Sat 7 March: Italy v England (kick-off 4.40pm GMT, Stadio Olimpico, Rome) – Live on ITV in the UK
* Sat 14 March: Wales v Italy (kick-off 4.40pm GMT, Principality Stadium, Cardiff) – Live on the BBC in the UK
These matches will provide a stern test of Italy’s progress and offer opportunities to showcase their growing capabilities against some of the world’s best teams. The home fixtures against Scotland and England are especially meaningful, offering the Azzurri a chance to capitalize on the passionate support of their home crowd.
A Look Back: Italy’s 2025 six Nations Campaign
Analyzing Italy’s performance in the 2025 Six Nations provides valuable insight into their current strengths and areas for improvement. While results varied, the team demonstrated a clear commitment to attacking rugby and a willingness to challenge their opponents.
Round 1: v Scotland (Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
* Result: Scotland 31-19 Italy
* Starting XV: 15. Tommaso Allan, 14. Ange Capuozzo, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello,11. Monty Ioane,10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Martin Page-Relo, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone ferrari, 4. Dino Lamb, 5.Federico Ruzza,6. sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (captain), 8. Lorenzo Cannone
* Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Riccioni, Niccolò Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Simone Gesi
Round 2: v Wales (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
* Result: Italy 22-15 Wales
* Starting XV: 15. Tommaso Allan, 14. Ange Capuozzo, 13. Juan Ignacio brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. paolo Garbisi, 9. Martin Page-Relo, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera,3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza,6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (captain), 8. Lorenzo Cannone
* Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Luca Rizzoli, Marco Riccioni, Dino Lamb, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacopo Trulla
Round 3: v France (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
* Result: Italy 24-73 france
* Starting XV: 15.Tommaso Allan, 14. Ange Capuozzo,13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Simone Gesi, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Martin Page-Relo, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi,3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (captain),8.Lorenzo Cannone
* Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Ross Vintcent, Alessandro Garbisi, Jacopo Trulla
round 4: v England (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham)
* Result: england 47-24 Italy
* Starting XV: 15. Ange Capuozzo, 14. Monty Ioane, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex,12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Matt Gallagher, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9.Stephen Varney, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5.Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri,7. Michele Lamaro (captain), 8. Ross Vintcent
* Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Simone Ferrari, riccardo Favretto, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan
Round 5: v Ireland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
* Result: Italy 17-22 Ireland
* Starting XV: 15. Tomasso Allan, 14. Ange Capuozzo, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Martin Page-Relo, 1. Danilo fischetti,2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3. Simone Ferrari, 4. Dino lamb, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6.Sebastian Negri, 7. Manuel Zuliani, 8. lorenzo Cannone
* Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Niccolò Cannone, Michele Lamaro, Ross Vintcent, Stephen Varney, Leonardo Marin
Key Players to Watch in 2026
While the full 2026 squad is yet to be announced, several players are expected to play pivotal roles:
* Ange Capuozzo: A dynamic and elusive fullback, Capuozzo is a constant threat with ball in hand and a master of the counter-attack.
* Tommaso Menoncello: The reigning Six Nations Player of the Tournament, Menoncello’s powerful running and try-scoring ability make him a key weapon in Italy’s arsenal.
* Michele Lamaro: The experienced captain provides leadership and physicality in the back row.
* Paolo Garbisi: A gifted fly-half with a creative flair, Garbisi is the architect of Italy’s attacking plays.
* Sebastian Negri: A powerful and versatile flanker, Negri brings a relentless work rate and defensive solidity to the team.
Looking Ahead: Italy’s Potential for Growth
Italy’s journey to becoming a consistent force in the Six Nations is ongoing. With a talented squad,a visionary coach,and a growing sense of belief,the Azzurri are well-positioned to continue their upward trajectory. The 2026 Six Nations promises to be an exciting chapter in Italian rugby history, and fans around the world will be watching with keen interest to see how far this team can go.
Download the digital edition of Rugby World straight to your tablet or subscribe to the print edition to get the magazine delivered to your door.
