Italy draft in Allan for Twickenham clash

Tommaso Allan will start for Italy in their Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham on Sunday.
The Treviso fly-half, who takes over from Carlo Canna, is one of four changes made by Conor O’Shea as Italy hope to end a 22-game losing streak against the Grand Slam holders.
O’Shea named wing Giulio Bisegni in the starting line-up in place of Angelo Esposito while Exeter‘s Michele Campagnaro comes in for Tommaso Benvenuti in midfield.
There is also one change in the pack as South African-born Braam Steyn replaces Maxime Mbanda in the No.6 jersey, with the latter dropping to the bench.
After November’s historic win over the Springboks hopes were high but with heavy home defeats to Wales and Ireland in this year’s Six Nations, former Harlequins boss O’Shea has yet to recreate that magic formula.
Italy will meet an England team unbeaten in 16 matches and O’Shea said they have worked on areas where “we felt gave momentum to Ireland” since their defeat, adding that Italy’s players had “a big responsibility” for the England game.
He said: “We have had to change, but the changes are for the future. One of the big things is to stop feeling sorry for ourselves in games. To stop feeling sorry for ourselves about where we are and focus on performance.”
Italy: Edoardo Padovani; Giulio Bisegni, Michele Campagnaro, Luke McLean, Giovanbattista Venditti; Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Andrea Lovotti, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Lorenzo Cittadini; Marco Fuser, Andries Van Schalkwyk; Abraham Steyn Simone Favaro, Sergio Parisse
Replacements: Ornel Gega, Michele Rizzo, Pietro Ceccarelli, George Biagi, Maxime Mbanda, Giorgio Bronzini, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti
STEVE RIGBY