Six Nations: Italy make four changes for Ireland clash

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 9 - Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made four changes to his starting line-up for Sunday's Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin with respect to the side that pushed England hard in a 27-24 defeat in Rome last week.
    Danger man Ange Capuozzo returns at fullback after missing the opening match of the tournament due to a stomach bug, with Tommaso Allen dropping to the bench.
    Stephen Varney comes in at scrumhalf to renew his partnership with flyhalf Paolo Garbisi.
    Last week Garbisi formed a half-back pairing with his younger brother Alessandro, who does not feature in the match-day squad but will make the trip to Dublin anyway to act as cover.
    Quesada has been forced to make two changes to his backrow due to injuries to Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone.
    So captain Michele Lamaro, who usually plays open-side flanker, will start at number eight, with Manuel Zuliani and Alessandro Izekor taking the empty slots.
    "The focus in Dublin will be on our performance and trying to take another step in our growth against one of the strongest teams in the world," said Quesada.
    "We will be missing two elements in the forwards with respect to the previous match, but we have a young squad at our disposal who want to emerge.
    "A tough match awaits us and it will be essential to be able to stay lucid throughout the match".
    Italy: Ange Capuozzo; Lorenzo Pani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Michele Lamaro (captain), Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Izekor; Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone; Pietro Ceccarelli, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti.
    Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan, Federico Mori. (ANSA).