Zanni eager to be part of the O’Shea masterplan
ALESSANDRO Zanni is counting down the days until he links up with the Italy squad for their autumn internationals and the chance to work with Conor O’Shea for the first time since the Irishman became Italy head coach.
Zanni missed Italy’s summer tour when they beat the USA and Canada, but lost to Argentina. However, he has been included in Italy’s 30-man squad for Tests against New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga.
“The players who went on the tour were very positive. Training was good and the spirit in the squad was excellent,” Zanni told TRP. “Conor is trying to make it more competitive by picking the best and most in-form players to make sure everyone has to battle to win a place.
“He did very well with Harlequins, so we know he is an excellent coach. He wants to leave his mark on the team and take us in the right direction.
“It is a tough challenge, but we are coming through a tough two years where we’d win one match and then play terribly in the next two. I’m looking forward to November to see what he is like with my own eyes.”
Zanni isn’t the only experienced player back in the Italy squad after missing the summer tour. Sergio Parisse returns as captain, along with his long-time lieutenant Leonardo Ghiraldini. There are also spots for Exeter’s Michele Campagnaro and Glasgow Warriors’ Simone Favaro and Leonardo Sarto.
Italy start against the All Blacks in Rome on November 12 and then face South Africa and Tonga.
If selected for the match in Rome the 32-year-old will become the latest Italy player to hit the 100-cap mark, though that will be dependent on how he recovers from a knee injury.
“I’m not thinking about it too much, just about coming back as soon as possible over the next two weeks,” Zanni said. “The three Tests are phenomenally hard. We’ve seen how New Zealand have played in the Rugby Championship and they appear to be impossible to beat right now.
“South Africa will be very physical as always and Tonga is a match we should win, but we know they are a team with wonderful individual skills and it will be another battle.”