The Azzurri host the Wallabies in Turin in a rematch of what turned out to be an unexpectedly close encounter a year ago. Once again the odds favour the visitors.

ITALY vs AUSTRALIA
Saturday, November 9, 14:00 GMT, Turin

Ewen McKenzie has sprung another selection surprise as Rob Simmons finds himself on the blindside flank for the first time in test rugby, and possibly his entire professional career. Besides bolstering the lineout, it is hoped his presence will help fortify a badly creaking scrum against a powerful Italian pack. Simmons is the only change in the starting lineup that played England a week ago.

Tatafu Polota-Nau has failed to prove his fitness so Saia Fainga’a retains his reserve spot for now. Dave Dennis and Liam Gill replace Kane Douglas and Ben McCalman, and Joe Tomane takes the spot of Bernard Foley. On paper it’s a pretty good looking side, but one that disappointed at Twickenham.

Italian coach Jacques Brunel has made a few interesting selections of his own. Davide Giazzon starts in place of Leonardo Ghiraldini, while Antonio Pavanello partners Marco Bortolami in the second row. Australia will enjoy a significant height advantage at the lineout with Italy’s two tallest players left on the bench.

Luca Morisi has been chosen ahead of Gonzalo Canale and Michele Campagnaro to start at centre, with Tommaso Benvenuti selected on the wing leaving no place for Giovanbattista Venditti. New recruit Tommaso Allan is in line to win his first cap should he be called from the reserves.

Australia will be up for this one. McKenzie has shown his team he is not afraid to drop players out of form, and several of the big names have been put on notice. The Italians haven’t played together as a team since June and though the club form of Zebre and Treviso hasn’t been awful, it’s far from enough to cause concern to the Wallabies. The visitors win this one comfortably by 15.

Referee: Glen Jackson (NZRU)
Assistants: Romain Poite (FFR) & John Lacey (IRFU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)