Zambonin named to Italy's first 2026 Six Nations game
Published on: 05/02/2026
Exeter Chiefs lock Andrea Zambonin has been named to start for Italy in their home opener of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations.
The Azzurri will host Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, 7 February at 2:10pm in round one of the campaign.
Zambonin lines up alongside Niccolo Cannone in the second row with the younger Cannone brother, Lorenzo, due to start at number eight. Back-rower Michele Lamaro captains the side while the successful partnership of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex starts in the centres.
Chiefs scrum-half Stephen Varney spent a week rehabbing with the Italian team, so is not available for selection this weekend.
Italy:
15 Leonardo Marin
14 Louis Lynagh
13 Juan Ignacio Brex
12 Tommaso Menoncello
11 Monty Ioane
10 Paolo Garbisi
9 Alessandro Fusco
1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Giacomo Nicotera
3 Simone Ferrari
4 Niccolo Cannone
5 Andrea Zambonin
6 Michele Lamaro
7 Manuel Zuliani
8 Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements:
16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
17 Mirco Spagnolo
18 Muhamed Hasa
19 Federico Ruzza
20 Riccardo Favretto
21 Alessandro Garbisi
22 Giacomo Da Re
23 Lorenzo Pani
Written By:
Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club
