ROME – A new era in Italian rugby begins as Gli Azzurri prepare to take on England in Rome in their Six Nations Opener. New coach Gonzalo Quesada has named his first side since being appointed, welcoming Benetton Rugby’s centre Tommaso Menoncello back into the team and handing brothers Paolo and Alessandro Garbisi their first start together in a Test match.

 Quesada, who replaced Kieran Crowley in October, will hope to inspire Italy to their first home Six Nations win since 2013. The opener versus World Cup bronze medallists England is a daunting task, and Italy have never beaten England in 30 previous meetings.

 Quesada, who worked as an assistant coach for the French national team between 2008 and 2011, insisted he would not set unrealistic targets for his Italy side in this tournament. Any improvement, however, will be judged on results.

 Italy must recover from the nadir of a bruising World Cup, having lost 96-17 to New Zealand and then 60-7 to France. Elimination in the pool stage sealed a disappointing 2023, as Italy won just four games over the calendar year.

 This year’s Six Nations is the 25^th edition since the competition’s expansion in 2000 to include Italy, but Gli Azzurri have never won the tournament and must improve on a desperate record of 106 defeats in 120 games.

 Quesada faces an uphill task not only to improve results but also to reinforce a sense of identity in his team. The Argentine previously stated he wants to entertain fans and will continue with the attacking philosophy brought by ex-coach Crowley, but Quesada must set up his side with better balance to avoid being exposed defensively.

 The team’s identity will be key to exciting fans and igniting new support for the national team, as rugby remains largely unpopular and unfollowed across Italy. The Italian Rugby Federation is attempting to reverse that trend by increasing its investment in the game, now allocating €40m compared to two million euros in 2000 to help grow the sport. That budget, however, still lags behind the other Six Nations teams.

 Despite Italy’s lack of on-field progress, there remains a newfound sense of optimism. The Italian Rugby Federation has demonstrated a clear strategy to integrate a new generation of players into the first team, and the performances of Tommaso Menoncello have rewarded that vision.

  Italy can also rely on some stability within the squad, with flanker Michele Lamaro named as captain. Lamaro is the only remaining captain from last year’s Six Nations and this young Italian side can lean on his experience after competing well last year in games against France and Scotland.

 The last time Italian fans celebrated on home soil in 2013, Gli Azzurri famously beat Ireland 22-15. Hoping to rekindle the magic of that victory, a win over England in Rome would go even further, paying dividends to Italy’s youth-centred strategy and breathing life into Quesada’s era as coach.

Line-ups

Italy: Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.

Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Iachizzi, Zuliani, Varney, Pani

England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso