Zanon to make Italy debut in Six Nations finale

Marco Zanon will make his Italy debut on Saturday as the Azzurri look to avoid finishing the 2019 Six Nations campaign without a point.

Conor O’Shea’s side have failed to get off the mark in their opening four matches this year, leaving them bottom of the table and guaranteed the wooden spoon.

They welcome France to Stadio Olimpico this weekend, hoping to take advantage of their neighbours’ fragile confidence after defeats to Wales, Ireland and England.

Zanon was one of three uncapped players named in O’Shea’s 32-man squad, having impressed in the centre for Benetton Treviso.

And he will get the chance to shine on the international stage after being named as one of five changes for this weekend’s clash.

“We are playing against a very strong team as always happens in the Six Nations,” said O’Shea, who also brings in Jake Polledri, David Sisi, Tiziano Pasquali and Leonardo Ghiraldini.

“Our focus will be on ourselves, trying to play our best rugby. We want to close the tournament with a great performance at the Olimpico.”

#Italrugby: la formazione in campo sabato con la Francia, per l’ultimo match degli Azzurri nel @SixNationsRugby 2019 https://t.co/YvAEWMPEKn#insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana @SeiNazioniRugby pic.twitter.com/eRKjI9vWCR

— Italrugby (@Federugby) March 14, 2019

Italy XV: Jayden Hayward, Edoardo Padovani, Marco Zanon, Luca Morisi, Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Allan, Tito Tebaldi; Andrea Lovotti, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi, Federico Ruzza, Braam Steyn, Jake Polledri, Sergio Parisse.

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Cherif Traore, Simone Ferrari, Alessandro Zanni, Sebastian Negri, Guglielmo Palazzani, Ian McKinely, Luca Sperandio

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