Italy rugby squad faces significant injury crisis ahead of November tests

The Italian national rugby team has begun preparations in Padua for the upcoming Nations Championship, but head coach Gonzalo Quesada is facing a severe shortage of available players. The list of unavailable athletes has risen to 16 out of a 32-man squad.

Key absences include captain Michele Lamaro and center Juan Ignacio Brex, both of whom sustained injuries during recent club matches. Other notable players unavailable include Mirco Spagnolo, Tommaso Menoncello, Martin Page-Relo, Sebastian Negri, and Lorenzo Pani. Additionally, winger Ange Capuozzo is absent due to family reasons.

To address these shortages, Quesada has called up Ivan Nemer, Ion Neculai, and Federico Zanandrea. While some players like Tommaso Allan remain in rehabilitation, the federation indicated that certain absentees might rejoin the squad in the week leading up to the match against South Africa.