Housemates reunite for Six Nations game
Published on: 23/04/2026
During the PWR season, Francesca Granzotto and Demi Swann are housemates and good friends. This weekend, they will face each other on opposite teams in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.
After missing last weekend’s round two game against Ireland due to concussion, winger Granzotto is back on the bench for the Azzurres as they play Scotland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.
Italy will keen to get points on the board following two successive defeats while Scotland will want to build on their win over Wales in round one and to dispel the memory of last weekend’s heavy loss to the Red Roses.
Loosehead prop Demi Swann will make her first start in a Scotland jersey having made her long-awaited international debut in round one.
Commenting on coming up against her housemate, Swann said: “I think that’s the great part about rugby: the community and friendships you create along the way. It’s crazy how we’ve gone from teammates to housemates and now to potentially playing against each other on the international stage!
“I’ll always be proud of Fran and her successes. It’s nice to know, regardless of what happens, I’ll always still have my best friend at the end of the match. She’s still going to lose though!”
In response, Granzotto said: “I love the kind of friendship we’ve been able to build throughout the season, and I think Demi is both a wonderful person and rugby player. I’m so proud of her and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to achieve on the international stage. I’ll always be her number one supporter…except for this weekend.”
Italy v Scotland kicks off at 16:30 on Saturday and can be watched live on BBC iPlayer.
Italy
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 46 caps)
14 Aura Muzzo (LOU Rugby, 60 caps)
13 Michela Sillari (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 95 caps)
12 Sara Mannini (Rugby Colorno, 14 caps)
11 Alyssa D'Incà (Blagnac Rugby, 37 caps)
10 Veronica Madia (Blagnac Rugby, 62 caps)
9 Sofia Stefan (RCTPM Toulon, 103 caps)
8 Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 80 caps) (c)
7 Alissa Ranuccini (LOU Rugby, 20 caps)
6 Francesca Sgorbini (ASM Clermont Rugby, 39 caps)
5 Giordana Duca (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 62 caps)
4 Valeria Fedrighi (Rugby Colorno, 69 caps)
3 Vittoria Zabette (LOU Rugby, 4 caps)
2 Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 42 caps)
1 Silvia Turani (Harlequins, 49 caps)
Replacements:
16 Chiara Cheli (Rugby Colorno, 2 caps)
17 Gaia Maris (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 44 caps)
18 Alessia Pilani (Stade Bordelais Rugby, 11 caps)
19 Alessandra Frangipani (Villorba Rugby, 13 caps)
20 Margherita Tonellotto (Valsugana Rugby Padova, rookie)
21 Alia Bitonci (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 12 caps)
22 Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 29 caps)
23 Francesca Granzotto (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
Scotland
15 Chloe Rollie (Toulon Provence Méditerranée, 83 caps)
14 Francesca McGhie (Trailfinders Women, 27 caps)
13 Lucia Scott (Loughborough Lightning, 9 caps
12 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears Women, 24 caps)
11 Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks Women, 11 caps)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, 77 caps) (vc)
9 Leia Brebner-Holden (Loughborough Lightning, 17 caps)
1 Demi Swann (Exeter Chiefs Women, 2 caps)
2 Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears Women, 86 caps)
3 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears Women, 26 caps)
4 Emma Wassell (Trailfinders Women, 74 caps)
5 Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears Women, 4 caps)
6 Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks Women, 22 caps)
7 Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier, 57 caps)
8 Rachel Malcolm (Trailfinders Women, 63 caps) (c)
Replacements:
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
17 Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks Women, 51 caps)
18 Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby/Watsonian FC, 9 caps)
19 Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors/Stirling County, 2 caps)
20 Louise McMillan (Saracens Women, 58 caps)
21 Alex Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby/University of Edinburgh, 19 caps)
22 Rianna Darroch (Glasgow Warriors/Hillhead Jordanhill, 1 cap)
23 Rachel Phillips (Sale Sharks Women, 1 cap)
Written By:
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club
