Women’s rugby: 32 Azzurri announced for the World Cup
The coach has released the list of female athletes summoned for the 2022 Rugby World Cup.
Andrea Di Giandomenico, Head Coach of the Women’s National Rugby Team, announced today during a press conference at the Olympic Stadium Press Room the list of 32 athletes summoned for the Rugby World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in New Zealand from October eight to November 12.
The choice came following an intense summer of preparation and three test matches leading up to the rainbow event, against Canada (July 24, Starlight Stadium – Langford, 34-24) and France (Sept. 3, Stade des Arboras – Nice, 21-0; Sept. 9, Rugby Stadium – Biella, 26-19).
The roster selected by the Head Coach, for the second time at the helm of the coaching staff that will fly to the World Cup, consists of eighteen forwards and fourteen trequarts; of the thirty-two athletes chosen, twenty-five play in the national league, four in the French league and three in England’s top division.
“We are very satisfied with the preparation carried out in the run-up to the World Cup: the great commitment on the part of all the athletes and the staff allows us to be today, on the eve of the departure, aware of our potential and confident that we can face the review with due preparation. We have a balanced roster in all departments, excellent skills and possible variations. The field, as always, will give its response; we, we are looking forward to getting into the game,” Di Giandomenico said.
Elisa Giordano (56 caps) was named captain, receiving the stripes from Manuela Furlan, who was injured in the first test match with France (right knee sprain). Furlan (88 caps) will take part in the expedition following a positive assessment by the medical staff about her possible functional recovery such that she will be able to take the field during the competition. “We are very sorry for the injury sustained by Manuela,” details the Head Coach. “Having passed the first moment of emotional reaction, we proceeded to further examinations and evaluations. There is a possibility, of course to be evaluated day by day, that Manuela will be able to take the field during the Tournament: this led us, together with the athlete’s will, to decide to go this route. Aware that there will be hard work to be done and the outcome not a foregone conclusion, we are confident of the positive contribution Manuela will make to the expedition.” Melissa Bettoni (72 caps) and Michela Sillari (70 caps) are the selected vice captains.
Italy, fifth in the world rankings, will leave Thursday, Sept. 22, for Auckland, the first leg of preparation for the Group B matches scheduled with Canada (Oct. 9), USA (Oct. 16) and Japan (Oct. 23); the matches will be simulcast live on Rai 2 and Sky Sport.
The 32 athletes summoned:
Pylons
BARRO Francesca – Valsugana Rugby Padua, 1 cap
GAI Lucia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 84 caps
MARIS Gaia – Wasps, 12 caps
MERLO Michela – Rugby Colorno, 11 caps
SEYE Sara – Transvecta Rugby Calvisano, 8 caps
STECCA, Emanuela – Arredissima Villorba Rugby, 3 caps
TURANI Silvia – Exeter Chiefs Women, 20 caps.
Heelers
BETTONI Melissa – Stade Rennais, 72 caps
VECCHINI Vittoria – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 11 caps
Second lines
DUCA Giordana – Valsugana Rugby Padua, 31 caps
FEDRIGHI Valeria – Stade Toulousain, 36 caps
LOCATELLI Isabella – Rugby Colorno, 34 caps
TOUNESI Sara – Sale Sharks, 24 caps
Third lines
ARRIGHETTI Ilaria – Stade Rennais, 56 caps
FRANCO, Giada – Rugby Colorno, 24 caps
GIORDANO Elisa (C) – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 56 caps.
SGORBINI Francesca – ASM Romagnat, 13 caps
VERONESE Beatrice – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 12 caps
Scrum Mids.
BARATTIN Sara – Arredissima Villorba Rugby, 107 caps
STEFAN, Sofia – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 69 caps
Opening middles
MADIA, Veronica – Rugby Colorno, 32 caps
STEVANIN, Emma – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 2 caps
Centers
CAPOMAGGI Beatrice – Arredissima Villorba Rugby, 4 caps
D’INCA’ Alyssa – Arredissima Villorba Rugby, 10 caps
RIGONI Beatrice – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 57 caps
SILLARI Michela – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 70 caps
Wings/Extremes
FURLAN Manuela – Arredissima Villorba Rugby, 88 caps
GRANZOTO Francesca – Unione Rugby Capitolina, 2 caps
MAGATTI Maria – CUS Milano Rugby, 46 caps
MUZZO Aura – Arredissima Villorba rugby, 27 caps
OSTUNI MINUZZI Vittoria – Valsugana Rugby Padova, 16 caps
ROLFI Sofia – Rugby Colorno, rookie
Pre-World Cup Test Match
Canada v Italy, Langford – Starlight Stadium, July 24, 2022 34-24
France v Italy, Nice – Stade des Arboras, September 3, 2022 21-0
Italy v France, Biella – Rugby Stadium, September 9, 2022 26-19
Match Rugby World Cup New Zealand 2021
USA v Italy, Northland Events Centre, Whangarei – Sunday, Oct. 9, kick off 12:45 p.m. local time / 1:45 a.m. Italian time
Italy v Canada, Waitakere Stadium, Auckland – Sunday, Oct. 16, kick off 12:45 p.m. local time / 1:45 a.m. Italian time
Japan v Italy, Waitakere Stadium, Auckland – Sunday, Oct. 23, kick off 12:45 p.m. local time / 1:45 a.m. Italian time
