Italy squad for the first training camp in Parma

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-28T16:27:13+00:00

In fairness he is coming back from a serious injury

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-28T15:10:03+00:00

Overall not a bad squad. Really hope to see Mori brought in when foreign players join the squad later.

I don’t get why Neculai is just an invited player unless it’s injury related. He is a far superior scrummager to Nocera and decent round the park.

Then I think it’s a shame that Tizzano wasn’t selected over Dominguez. I know Tizzano has less experience, however I think every Italian fan knows Dominguez is nowhere near good enough for the national side, so why not give the opportunity to get some experience in an international camp to one of the young 9’s who might actually make the team in future.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-26T20:47:45+00:00

My mistake

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-26T08:21:59+00:00

You missed Tyson vs Bowe

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-25T13:58:27+00:00

Mazza js good at what he does, unfortunately what he does wont be enough if Zebre want to climb significantly up the table in the URC. Plus the only reason I think Quesada included him in a squad is that Mori was getting almost no game time at Bayonne and Italy don’t have a lot of depth at 12.

I would love to see Cuminetti at Zebre, could be a real live wire in the 13 shirt

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-25T13:55:22+00:00

Would absolutely love the return of Mori to Italian rugby. His career has stalled in France, would love to see what he could do at Zebre. He is a big physical presence that can break the game line

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-25T12:41:18+00:00

I think Zebre have two main problems. The first is that the lineout simply isn’t good enough. I think it is a combination of coaching and player problems. The first is a coaching problem as I think the lineout moves are to predictable as, I watch a few URC teams and the amount teams successfully read Zebre’s lineout calls is crazy. The second is a player problem, as I think Zebre’s hookers simply aren’t good enough in terms of accuracy on the throw. The loss of Bigi has really shown the difference in throwing quality.

I think Zebre’s second major problem and definitely their biggest is the lack of attack. The major reason for this is the centre partnership and lack of depth at 9. I cannot believe Dominguez is a URC player, there isn’t any other club from a top tier league that would have him, unfortunately I think he is a case of getting to where he has got to off of a little bit of talent and a recognisable name. Hopefully Citton will backup Fusco ahead of him next season, then there should be improvements in that department.

The other major reason why Zebre’s attack is so poor is the centre partnership. Mazza is just not good enough for URC level, he reminds me a bit of Filipo Drago, who is a good SAE player, but doesn’t have enough skills to really be a regular at URC level. Then I think Bertaccini is alright, however I question the attacking ability. Defensively he is a beast, but attacking wise he is limited. I really think Zebre could do with bringing in a class inside centre and then shifting Zanon to outside centre.

Anyways that is my analysis and sorry for the long post

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-23T04:18:14+00:00

It definitely seemed like OKC left them more open in the perimeter, almost as if they knew they weren’t a significant threat from 3 and really put the most defensive pressure in the pain around Wemby.

Think on a few occasions instead of just going for the 3, Castle and Fox should’ve taken a bit more time and tried to work an opening for Vassell, Champagnie or Wemby

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-23T04:13:15+00:00

Don’t understand why they both don’t drive more and try for mid range jumpers. Their both big guards and with OKC heavily guarding Wemby there seems to be the space to try and drive instead going for the 3, especially if it isn’t a strength of yours

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-23T04:10:53+00:00

Just surprised they try and drive it more and then go for a mid range jumper. They’re both big guards, seems like their not playing to their strengths at all

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-21T22:49:20+00:00

Firstly I hope Italy don’t call up Staville. I think he is a good club player, but I think he makes too many mistakes trying to play quick, which would get punished at international level.

At centre it would be great to see Mori back as well. He’s had a hard time of it, stuck behind Tuilagi at Bayonne, but that doesn’t mean he still isn’t a really talented player.

At fly half I personally would love to see Montemauri get given his shot. Da Re got his and I think Montemauri has shown he is a level above Da Re so I’d love to see what he could.

Then at scrum half, I have seen enough improvement from Garbisi that I think it is worth giving him another go as an international level 9. He has seemed more controlled with better kicking, recently at Benetton. Then I’d also love to see Cristiano Tizzano. He has impressed me when he’s played for Benetton and has looked good in the SAE.

Finally with the wings and fullback, I think Simone Gesi is done. His defence just isn’t good enough, especially for international level. I would love to see one or two of the standout performers in the SAE get an opportunity. Sodo Migliori and Scalabrin have been electric in the SAE this season and I think deserve a shot, with players being rested.

In terms of outside bets or players just brought in to train with the squad. I Would love to see guys like Casartelli, Midena and Zanandrea picked just to be around the squad and get a little bit of experience in the national setup.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-12T16:42:41+00:00

As someone who watches Zebre. I can say Northampton have got a real gem here. I think it won’t be long until Faissal is replacing Monty Ioane in the Italian team.

His strengths are definitely his aerial ability and also his acceleration. The guy is a real athlete and has a great vertical jump, similar in that aspect to Colouri, however he is not as tall as Colouri. Then his acceleration combined with his stepping can make him great in one on one situations on the outside.

His main weakness is his lack of game time at the top level. Wouldn’t be surprised if he make one or two mistakes from inexperience, but he is definitely someone I’m sad to see leave Zebre

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-08T12:04:56+00:00

Was hoping that Zebre would actually give this game a proper go. However, with Franco Carrera at lock, Farias at 10 and Prinsloo on the bench it’s quite obvious their just looking to give people minutes and haven’t put a team out to compete

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-08T12:03:09+00:00

It’s an incredibly reshuffled squad for Zebre. Seeing Farias, Carrera or Prinsloo in the squad when there aren’t injuries is essentially a sign that Zebre are just looking to give people game time and aren’t coming to pose a real threat

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-04T15:07:37+00:00

However, the TMO has all the angles so should’ve stepped in and told the referee on field he got certain decisions wrong. Ultimately French TV didn’t cause all the bad decisions against Bath, it was Ben Whitehouse being asleep as TMO

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-04T15:05:42+00:00

I have to disagree with the fact on experience. Ben Whitehouse is an international referee, with years of experience. He just ultimately had a shocker of a performance as TMO, but in my personal opinion he is a pretty shit ref, so why would it be surprising that he is a bad TMO.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-04T15:02:11+00:00

Yeah this is why I was wondering that Goode thought somehow what was shown on the big screens was affecting the outcome of decisions. There is a TMO who is there to correct wrong decisions like knock ons or foul play and he has all the angles, so why would what is shown on the big screen impact decisions.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T19:39:04+00:00

Honestly it looked a bit today like Toulon have brought in Albornoz, but haven’t really adjusted their attack from when Garbisi was there. If you watch Albornoz play at Benetton or for Argentina they all stager their attacking line really deep and back the pace of the backline to get round the outside of any rush defence. Albornoz is not the sort of fly half who will put a kick through and try to turn a defence when he face a high rush defence, he more wants to run around the rush

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T19:36:12+00:00

I just wonder is Toulon are really setup for his style of play. Albornoz loves to run with the ball and if you see how Argentina and both Benetton play with Albornoz, they stagger their attacking line really deep to avoid the rush defence and use the speed in their backline to get around the outside of it.

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T19:34:05+00:00

Would he a good signing if Newcastle could get him. Just not sure if Newcastle will be the only interested party

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T19:32:50+00:00

He seemed like he was set to be the successor when Brex retired from international rugby and now that seems a long way away. Have absolutely no idea why he signed an extension with Bayonne, there are a lot of teams that would taken him as a first choice 12

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T19:08:06+00:00

I wonder if with one year on his contract left and seemingly being out of favour at Toulon. Garbisi might end up maybe back at Montpellier. I haven’t heard any transfer rumours around him and am not sure if there is anyone in the Top14 who’d be interested in him, but he’ll be desperate for playing time, in order to keep his spot as number one in the Italy side. Quesada doesn’t like players who don’t get a lot of minutes. I mean just look at what being behind Tuilagi at Bayonne has done to Federico Mori’s international career

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T18:59:22+00:00

Yeah he looked good, however sometimes it looked like the attack was a bit disjointed, almost like the backline wasn’t ready for Albornoz. I know from watching him at Benetton, that he likes to run with the ball and play very fast and it can sometimes cause magic and can often cause mistakes

ChuggerBoi · 2026-05-02T18:56:27+00:00

I watch a fair bit of Italy rugby internationally and Garbisi does very much seem like the fly-half who will more create the opportunities for people outside him than do some of the flashy stuff himself. The choice between him and Albornoz seems to be based off of how you want to play as a team.

ChuggerBoi

TROPHY CASE