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Capuozzo out injured for Italy visit to Wales in Six Nations

Italy's Ange Capuozzo celebrates at the end of the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and Scotland at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Italy won 31-29. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Italy's Ange Capuozzo celebrates at the end of the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and Scotland at Rome's Olympic stadium, Saturday, March 9, 2024. Italy won 31-29. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

ROME (AP) -- A broken finger has ruled out fullback Ange Capuozzo from Italy's visit to Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Tests following the 31-29 comeback win over Scotland last weekend revealed Capuozzo broke the middle finger of his left hand.

His absence is a blow after he was instrumental in Italy's two best results in the championship, the draw in France and defeat of Scotland, Italy's first home win in 11 years. Capuozzo also started the late attack against Wales in Cardiff in 2022 that netted the match-winning converted try for Edoardo Padovani.

Italy and Wales are vying to avoid the wooden spoon at Principality Stadium. Italy has finished last in the last eight Six Nations. Wales, which is winless, hasn't finished last since 2003.

Capuozzo has been replaced by Zebre fullback Lorenzo Pani, who started on the wing against England and Ireland to accommodate Tommaso Allan and Capuozzo in the 15 jersey.

Coach Gonzalo Quesada made two other changes on Thursday, swapping in No. 8 Lorenzo Cannone and scrumhalf Stephen Varney for Ross Vintcent and Martin Page-Relo, who have dropped to the reserves.

Cannone's return gives Benetton Treviso seven of the pack, the only exception being Zebre loosehead Danilo Fischetti.

Benetton flanker Manuel Zuliani also returns to the reserves with Italy going back to a 6-2 split.

Wales named a team of of five changes on Wednesday following the heavy home loss to France. Center George North is retiring from test rugby after the match, his 121st Wales cap.

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Lineups:

Wales: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Dillon Lewis, Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.

Italy: Lorenzo Pani, Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fischetti. Reserves: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Martin Page-Relo, Leonardo Marin.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby


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