Granzotto to start Six Nations opener
Published on: 09/04/2026
Exeter Chiefs Women’s winger Francesca Granzotto has been selected to start for Italy in their opening Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture against France.
The flyer from Conegliano will pull on the number 11 jersey as Italy head to the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble for a 12:25 (BST) kick-off this Saturday.
Granzotto arrived at Sandy Park after last year’s Rugby World Cup where she was given an early taste of life in Exeter with the opening pool game at her new home ground…against France.
Italy failed to score that day so will be looking to make a mark this time around.
Granzotto has played nine times for Chiefs this season, scoring three tries along the way, including a stunner against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop. This try alone is evidence that the 24-year-old has found her feet in the PWR while also enjoying the number of supporters now seen at women’s league games.
In her words: “It's so good because it's like playing an international game every weekend!”
Since her Itay debut against Canada in July 2022, Granzotto has racked up 24 caps for her country, so will mark her 25th appearance this weekend.
Italy
15 Vittoria OSTUNI MINUZZI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 44 caps)
14 Aura MUZZO (LOU Rugby, 58 caps)
13 Alyssa D’INCÀ (Blagnac Rugby, 35 caps)
12 Sara MANNINI (Rugby Colorno, 12 caps)
11 Francesca GRANZOTTO (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)
10 Veronica MADIA (Blagnac Rugby, 60 caps)
9 Alia BITONCI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 10 caps)
8 Elisa GIORDANO (Capitana, Valsugana Rugby Padova, 78 caps)
7 Alissa RANUCCINI (LOU Rugby, 18 caps)
6 Francesca SGORBINI (ASM Clermont Rugby, 37 caps)
5 Giordana DUCA (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 60 caps)
4 Valeria FEDRIGHI (Rugby Colorno, 67 caps)
3 Alessia PILANI (Stade Bordelais Rugby, 9 caps)
2 Vittoria VECCHINI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 41 caps)
1 Silvia TURANI (Harlequins, 47 caps)
Replacements:
16 Chiara CHELI (Rugby Colorno, uncapped)
17 Gaia MARIS (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 42 caps)
18 Vittoria ZANETTE (LOU Rugby, 2 caps)
19 Elettra COSTANTINI (Valsugana Rugby Padova, uncapped)
20 Beatrice VERONESE (RCTPM Toulon, 31 caps)
21 Sofia STEFAN (RCTPM Toulon, 101 caps)
22 Emma STEVANIN (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 27 caps)
23 Gaia BUSO (Villorba Rugby, 4 caps)
Written By:
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club
