Italrugby towards the Six Nations: Gonzalo Quesada explains his choices and takes stock of absentees
During the presentation of the list of summoned players for the Verona training camp ahead of the 2026 edition of the men’s Six Nations, technical commissioner Gonzalo Quesada explained his choices while also talking about the absentees, among whom are important names such as Ange Capuozzo, Tommaso Allan and Ross Vintcent. The technical commissioner, speaking during the conference-event organized for the occasion by Sky Sport in Milan, made the point by also explaining the selection criteria and the involvement of the franchises involved in URC.
“First of all –said the Argentine coach, who took the reins of the national team in the aftermath of the disappointing 2023 World Cup -, when we deal with selection we do not make a distinction between those who play in Italian or foreign clubs, we choose the players we think are best. A good news is that in these years there are many players committed with the two Italian teams who are at the same level as those who play outside, in this sense we can privilege the work done by the franchises”.
“Allan, Capuozzo, Vincent, but also Gianmarco Lucchesi and Jacopo Trulla are injured: these are players who would have easily made the list if they had been available – Quesada then added -. However, we know very well that rugby is a tough sport, it is not only us who have to deal with injuries. In cases like this we must, indeed, take advantage of the opportunity to develop new players by looking at what we have, not what we lack. And we certainly do not lack the’enthusiasm for this tournament”.
In comparison to the November international window, the indications regarding the leadership of the Azzurri group are further outlined: “Lamaro will be our main captain, but we will confirm a real ‘team of captains’ which also includes Niccolò Cannone, Giacomo Nicotera and Nacho Brex: it is a leadership model that helps everyone, starting with Mitch himself” explained Quesada.
The Azzurri coach then clarified his ambitions for this year’s Six Nations: “We can dream and we are aware that it will be very important to get off to a good start, with Scotland, aware, however, of the strength of the opposing team. It will be a battle but we are sure that the crowd at the Olimpico will push us”.
