Granzotto to start second test against USA

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Francesca Granzotto will start Italy’s second test against the USA Eagles.

After a high-scoring game in Texas where Granzotto scored two tries and one conversion, the winger will be hoping to reverse the loss this weekend.

She said: ““I think it doesn’t happen often to be able to play against the same team twice in a row, so it’s going be a good opportunity for us to fix what didn’t work well in the previous game.

“We were able to create a lot of momentum and opportunities in their 22 but not convert them into points, so this is going be the goal for this game. As a team, we can’t wait to be back on the pitch again.”

Granzotto will pull on the number 11 jersey while Hope Rogers will start tomorrow’s game at Geodis Park in Nashville (KO 01:15 BST Sunday) on the bench.

Head coach Jack Hanratty and staff have remixed the squad with some tactical rotations across the matchday 23, meaning Lauryn Carlton earns her first start at loosehead prop.

Former Chief Kate Zackary, who became the second most capped Eagle behind Rogers last weekend, also looks to add to her caps from the bench and to extend the USA’s winning streak of four games.

Hanratty said: “We set ourselves some objectives at the start of the year to build a robust squad - and to build a squad, you've got to trust the squad.

"This week’s squad shows that depth with some new names starting. Lauren Carlton’s start, is probably one the team is most excited for. She’s an incredible teammate and her work ethic at training has been unbelievable.”

“Looking at the players that will be finishing the job, I think we're quite excited about our second act.”