Italy Rugby Team Prepares for Southern Africa Summer Tour with 33 Players Called Up

L’Aquila: The Italian national rugby team is set to convene in L’Aquila starting June 14th as they prepare for the 2025 summer tour, which features three matches in southern Africa. The team will face Namibia in Windhoek on June 27th, followed by two matches against South Africa on July 5th in Pretoria and July 12th in Port Elizabeth.

According to Ansa News Agency, Coach Gonzalo Quesada has called up 33 players for this preparation phase, including seven players set to make their debut. The coach emphasized the importance of managing athletes’ workloads and providing opportunities for young talent. This strategic approach led to the omission of some prominent players, including captain Michele Lamaro and star back Ange Capuozzo, focusing instead on recovery and rotation.

Quesada noted the tour as an essential chance for players to compete at a high level and as recognition for their efforts during the season. He highlighted the mix of youth and experience within the squad, aiming to identify potential candi
dates for the upcoming World Cup and enhance the team’s depth.

Among those making their debut is Pablo Dimcheff, a hooker from Colomiers with Calabrian roots. Returning players include David Odiase, a recent Zebre signing and participant in the 2024 summer tour, and Giovanni Montemauri. Additionally, Mirko Belloni from Rovigo has been called up for the first time following his involvement in the Six Nations camps.

The squad comprises players across various positions: Props such as Danilo Fischetti and Muhamed Hasa; hookers including Tommaso Di Bartolomeo and Giacomo Nicotera; second-row players like Matteo Canali and Niccolò Cannone; back rows featuring Lorenzo Cannone and Alessandro Izekor; scrum-halves Alessandro Fusco and Stephen Varney; fly-halves Giacomo Da Re and Giovanni Montemauri; centers Giulio Bertaccini and Leonardo Marin; and wings/fullbacks Mirko Belloni and Monty Ioane, among others.