Head coach Gonzalo Quesada implemented 10 starting changes, handing 25-year-old flanker Samuele Locatelli his international debut. Giacomo Nicotera will captain the reshuffled side in place of the injured Michele Lamaro, while Ange Capuozzo shifts to the wing to accommodate Mirko Belloni at fullback. The squad is seeking to rebound after suffering three Nations Championship defeats during their July tour.
Key points
Severe squad injuries have prompted a major tactical and personnel reshuffle across both…: Severe squad injuries have prompted a major tactical and personnel reshuffle across both the forwards and backline.
Italy is attempting to halt a three-match losing streak following a difficult run of fixt…: Italy is attempting to halt a three-match losing streak following a difficult run of fixtures in July.
The Turin match marks the start of an autumn stretch that includes home games against Arg…: The Turin match marks the start of an autumn stretch that includes home games against Argentina and Fiji.
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Nov 5 : Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada made 10 changes, mostly enforced by injuries, when he named his side to face South Africa in Saturday's Nations Championship fixture in Turin, where flanker Samuele Locatelli will make his debut.
• Quesada has been hit with a long list of injury absentees since their last match, a 57-10 loss against Australia in July, including captain Michele Lamaro, centre pairing Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, along with Sebastian Negri and Louis Lynagh
• Locatelli comes into the back row after the 25-year-old took part in this year's Six Nations training camp without making an appearance
• Mirko Belloni is selected at fullback, with Ange Capuozzo on the wing
• Number eight Ross Vintcent drops to the bench and is replaced by Lorenzo Cannone, whose brother Niccolo is selected in the second row
• Hooker Giacomo Nicotera will captain the side in the absence of Lamaro
• Italy lost all three Nations Championship matches in July, and host Argentina on November 14 in Genoa and Fiji one week later in Udine
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