Capuozzo faces a ‘big challenge’

– Ange Capuozzo faces a “big challenge” in Italy’s Six Nations opener against defending champions France after bursting onto the Test scene last year, coach Kieran Crowley said yesterday.

The 23-year-old France-born full-back will face several of his Toulouse team-mates at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tomorrow.

He is the danger man in an Italy XV announced yesterday which is hoping for another surprise scalp following recent successes.

Capuozzo scored two tries in his senior Test debut against Scotland last March.

His most noteworthy display, though, came against Wales in

Cardiff on the final day of the Six Nations.

His individual brilliance inspired Italy to a 22-21 victory, ending their 36-match Six Nations losing streak.

He then scored two of Italy’s three tries in their first-ever win over Australia, a single-point triumph in Florence in November.

“He has a big challenge this Six Nations, let’s not hide from it,” said Crowley.

“He burst onto the scene last year and he has continued that form with Toulouse, so this week the French players know him.

“But he works hard at his game, he’s developing his game even further I think...Hopefully it’s an opportunity for us to show how good he is. That will be great if he can.”

Paolo Garbisi misses out at flyhalf as the Montpellier man continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered at the start of the year.

Garbisi, 22, had been named in the 30-man squad for Italy’s first two matches with France and England but was left out for the clash with Les Bleus, who are Crowley’s pick for this year’s World Cup.

“We hope we can be competitive, because let’s face it they are probably the World Cup favourites,” said Crowley.

“What we want is to stay in the game, that we are able to put our game on the paddock and play the way we want to play.” –