Seven uncapped players named as Italy's new head coach targets WXV squad depth

Plinio Sciamanna has named seven uncapped players in a 38-strong Italy women’s squad for the WXV Global Series, with the new head coach making clear his ambition to broaden the nation’s international player base ahead of four matches in September and October.

The Azzurre will host Japan and South Africa before travelling to North America to face the USA Women’s Eagles twice. Sciamanna’s squad contains 22 forwards and 16 backs, with the seven potential debutants drawn from clubs across France and Italy.

Lyon lock Francesca Andreoli and her new club-mate Mascia Jelic are among those in line for first caps, alongside Benetton hooker Silvia Fent, Milano prop Laura Moscato, Valsugana midfielder Natascia Aggio, Toulon back-three player Rubina Grassi, and Valsugana fly-half Vittoria Zeni.

The squad also includes a core of seasoned internationals. Elisa Giordano, who has 83 caps, returns alongside Giordana Duca (65 caps), Silvia Turani (52 caps), and Vittoria Vecchini (46 caps). Michela Sillari stands on the verge of a significant personal milestone — she could earn her 100th Italy cap if selected for the home Tests against Japan’s Sakura Fifteen and the Springbok Women.

Sciamanna, taking charge of his first major squad since being appointed head coach, framed the campaign as the start of a longer building process rather than a short-term results exercise.

“The WXV Global Series marks the beginning of a journey for us,” he said. “We have four high-level matches ahead against opponents with very different playing styles, and we want to use every moment of this cycle to grow as a team.”

“Our goal is to build a solid foundation: developing a clear identity, raising individual and collective standards, and fostering greater competition within the squad. We want to expand the pool of players capable of competing at this level, without ever separating player development from the need to be competitive every time we take the field.”

The blend of experience and emerging talent reflects a deliberate strategy from the new coaching staff, with the WXV fixtures serving as both a competitive test and a development platform as Italy look to establish themselves as a consistent force in the women’s international game.