Italy’s Brex and Menoncello Look to Shock England at Twickenham

TWICKENHAM, England — Italy’s rugby team is gearing up for a pivotal Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Sunday, March 9, as both teams seek to assert their positions in the championship standings.

With the match scheduled for a 15:00 GMT kick-off, Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has made significant adjustments to his squad following a crushing 73-24 defeat to France in their previous encounter. Among the most notable changes, wing Monty Ioane returns to the lineup after recovering from a knee injury, replacing Ange Capuozzo, who will now play at full-back.

The highly anticipated matchup will feature Italy’s dynamic centre pairing, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, both known for their impressive synergy on the field. Dubbed ‘Brexoncello’, their partnership has become integral to Italy’s strategy as they aim to improve their standings after a rough start in this year’s Six Nations.

“They have different characteristics but work together so well,” said Quesada on the midfield duo. “Their understanding is instinctive, and that makes them very difficult to defend.”

Brex, the 32-year-old veteran, has been a mentor to the younger Menoncello, 22, who has emerged as a standout player since recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The two have been crucial in Italy’s setup, having started in 13 of the team’s last 14 matches.

“He is fantastic to play with,” Menoncello remarked about Brex. “He is a genius with his little passes, which makes him hard to defend against.” Brex complimented Menoncello, highlighting their distinct roles on the pitch: “Maybe I am more of the playmaker, and he is more the creator and finisher.”

As the match approaches, Italy stands at fifth position in the Six Nations, after a victory against Wales but recent losses to Scotland and France. “We want to change our picture,” Brex commented regarding Italy’s underdog status. “Maybe they respect us a little bit more now, but still not as much as we want.”

On the other side, England, currently third in the standings with 10 points, aims to keep their championship aspirations alive. Head coach Steve Borthwick has implemented a new centre partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence, replacing the previous starters in an effort to increase efficiency against the Italian attack.

Looking back at their history, England has won all 31 past encounters against Italy, but the Azzurri managed a narrow 27-24 defeat in their last meeting at the Stadio Olimpico. “They’re a dangerous team,” Borthwick stated, well aware of Italy’s threats, particularly in the midfield with Brex and Menoncello.

As both squads prepare for the match known as a test of skills and stamina, Quesada remains determined to lead Italy towards a performance reminiscent of their better historical days. The Italian side aims to leave their mark against a formidable England team at what Menoncello describes as “the temple of rugby.”