Miotti switches allegiance from Argentina to face Los Pumas with Italy in November

Domingo Miotti is set to face his former Argentina teammates after being named in Italy’s 33-man squad for their Nations Championship fixtures, with the Montpellier fly-half having completed the mandatory three-year stand-down period required under World Rugby’s birthright transfer ruling.

The 30-year-old earned nine caps for Los Pumas between 2020 and 2022, scoring 13 points, before stepping away from international rugby. Eligible through an Italian grandparent, Miotti will now compete with Paolo Garbisi, Tommaso Allan and Giacomo Da Re for the Azzurri’s number ten jersey.

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada revealed the move had been in the works since he took charge. “It all started three years ago when I arrived in Italy,” Quesada said. “He let me know that, having an Italian grandfather, he could represent the Italian national team. This year, we resumed contact. He explained that he would wait until July and that he would be happy to be considered.”

Quesada was careful to frame Miotti’s inclusion as an opportunity rather than a guarantee of game time. “Domingo is a great player and an excellent person. He has shown great motivation and, despite having the opportunity to represent both countries, he made this decision. We are happy to welcome him and believe this is the right time to get to know him and integrate him into the group.”

Miotti missed Italy’s previous squad session through injury but has been cleared to resume full training. His potential debut against Argentina in Genoa on 14 November would mark one of the more striking storylines of the autumn window.

Quesada acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead, with Italy facing South Africa in Turin on 7 November before the Argentina fixture and a final autumn test against Fiji in Udine on 21 November. “One of the greatest challenges in the history of Italian rugby awaits us: four consecutive matches against four of the best teams in the world,” he said. “I have complete confidence in the players available.”

Italy will be without several key figures for the series. Captain Michele Lamaro, centre pairing Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, wing Louis Lynagh, back-rower Sebastian Negri and lock Andrea Zambonin are all sidelined through injury. Prop Marco Riccioni has also withdrawn for family reasons and will be replaced by Giosuè Zilocchi.