Italy Six Nations 2026: Every Player in Quesada’s Squad & Match Line-ups
The Italy national rugby team has firmly established itself as a competitive force in the Six Nations Championship, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the 2026 tournament – equalling their best-ever result. Under the guidance of head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the Azzurri demonstrated a newfound ability to challenge traditional powerhouses, securing notable victories and displaying a resilience that has long been absent from their Six Nations campaigns.
Italy’s 2026 campaign began with a statement win against Scotland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, 18-15, in challenging weather conditions. While a narrow defeat to Ireland followed, the team rebounded with a historic victory over England , 23-18, marking a significant milestone in Italian rugby. Despite a final-day loss to Wales , 31-17, the overall performance signaled a clear upward trajectory for the team.
Italy’s 2026 Six Nations Results
- : Italy 18 v 15 Scotland
- : Ireland 20 v 13 Italy
- : France 33 v 8 Italy
- : Italy 23 v 18 England
- : Wales 31 v 17 Italy
Match Day Squads: A Deep Dive
Italy v Scotland – Round 1
Quesada’s starting lineup against Scotland featured Leonardo Marin at fullback, a back three completed by Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane, with Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello forming the center partnership. Paolo Garbisi directed play from fly-half, partnered by scrum-half Alessandro Fusco. The forward pack saw Danilo Fischetti and Giacomo Nicotera anchor the front row alongside Simone Ferrari, with Niccolò Cannone and Andrea Zambonin in the second row. Michele Lamaro captained the side from blindside flanker, supported by Manuel Zuliani and number eight Lorenzo Cannone. The replacements included Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, Alessandro Garbisi, Giacomo Da Re, and Lorenzo Pani.
Italy v Ireland – Round 2
For the clash with Ireland, Lorenzo Pani replaced Marin at fullback, while Leonardo Marin shifted to inside center. The rest of the backline remained largely unchanged, with Garbisi and Fusco continuing their half-back partnership. The pack was identical to the one that faced Scotland. Replacements included Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, and Paolo Odogwu.
Italy v France – Round 3
Ange Capuozzo took the number 15 jersey for the match against France, with the remainder of the backline mirroring the lineup against Ireland. The forward pack remained consistent. Pablo Dimcheff, Giosuè Zilocchi, and Riccardo Favretto were among the replacements.
Italy v England – Round 4
A change at fullback saw Lorenzo Pani return to the starting XV, while Alessandro Garbisi took over from Fusco at scrum-half. The forward pack remained largely unchanged, with the exception of a change on the bench. Replacements included Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Alessandro Fusco, Leonardo Marin, and Tommaso Allan.
Italy v Wales – Round 5
The final match against Wales saw a similar lineup to the England game, with Lorenzo Pani at fullback and Alessandro Fusco returning to scrum-half. Muhamed Hasa started at prop, and Federico Ruzza came into the second row. The replacements included Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Favretto, David Odiase, Stephen Varney, Leonardo Marin, and Tommaso Allan.
Quesada’s Squad: The 33-Man Contingent
Gonzalo Quesada assembled a 33-man squad for the 2026 Six Nations, blending experience and emerging talent. The forwards included Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Lorenzo Cannone, Niccolò Cannone, Pablo Dimcheff, Riccardo Favretto, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Muhamed Hasa, Alessandro Izekor, Michele Lamaro, Samuele Locatelli, Giacomo Nicotera, David Odiase, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Mirco Spagnolo, Andrea Zambonin, and Manuel Zuliani. The backs consisted of Juan Ignacio Brex, Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Fusco, Matt Gallagher, Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Damiano Mazza, Tommaso Menoncello, Paolo Odogwu, Martin Page-Relo, Lorenzo Pani, Edoardo Todaro, and Stephen Varney.
The 2026 Six Nations campaign represents a watershed moment for Italian rugby. Quesada’s squad has demonstrated the potential to compete consistently at the highest level, and the future looks bright for the Azzurri as they continue to build on this momentum. The victory over England, in particular, will be remembered as a landmark achievement, signaling Italy’s arrival as a genuine contender in the Six Nations Championship.