Loosehead and Tighthead Prop - No. 1 & 3 (Cannonball Left and Right):

One of the things which first got me interested in Italian rugby was their destructive front row. The sight of seeing Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro and Martin Castrogiovanni destroying other teams stirred something in me. When the trio tired they were replaced off the bench by an equally destructive force in Salvatore Perugini, Carlo Festuccia ands Carlos Nieto and you could see the opposition front row's collective sigh. Since then Italy's status as a dominant front row has slowly been diminished but in Franco Smith's squad is a group of young props for the future. Most of them are just beginning their international careers but have me hoping that I will once again feel relaxed at scrum time.

Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini and Martin Castrogiovanni enjoying themselves

Franco Smith has made a big call with his prop selection. It's not that he has dropped a lot of players who regularly played under Conor O'Shea. It's that 4 out of his 6 props (including hooker/prop Federico Zani) have never played a Six Nations game before. You can say that Federico Zani and Marco Riccioni have World Cup experience but playing against the likes of Namibia and Canada on neutral soil is nothing compared to playing Six Nations games away to Wales, France and Ireland. Although it is a risky move I can't deny that bringing in these young talents automatically excites me. A lot of them were part of an under-20's team which scored a majority of their tries from rolling mauls, something which used to be one of Italy's chief weapons.

Loosehead Props:

Andrea Lovotti (Age: 30 Caps: 40)

Andrea Lovotti's red card in the World Cup will go down as yet another bitterly disappointing memory for Italian rugby. Although Italy were unlikely to beat the eventual champions, it was a chance for Italy to showcase the improvements they had made under Conor O'Shea. It is shame that this will be such a large part of Lovotti's career as he has been a tremendous player for the national side over his 40 caps. The moment will have hurt him but he now has a massive responsibility under Smith to lead his other props. He is easily the most experienced prop in the team with more international caps than all the other props combined. Even at 30 he remains a threat in the loose and has formed a good partnership with new captain Luca Bigi at Zebre.

Danilo Fischetti (Age: 22 Caps: 0)

Lovotti's understudy at Zebre is yet another of Italy's exciting 22-year-olds. Danilo Fischetti is one of Italy's brightest talents after impressing in the youth teams. The fact that he has been picked above a player like Quaglio is proof that Italy are gearing him up to take the No. 1 shirt for the long term. The step up from Pro14 to International rugby can be particularly harsh on props but the experience of Six Nations rugby at the age of 22 will be valuable to the young man. Exposure to the national team has worked wonders for fellow props Marco Riccioni and Giosue Zilocchi so there is a trust now that the young players can perform.

Federico Zani (Age: 30 Caps: 13)

Although Federico Zani is more than capable at prop, after playing the majority of his international career there, in this championship he will be used as a hooker (please see previous article for more information).

Tighthead Props:

Marco Riccioni (Age: 22 Caps: 7)

Marco Riccioni's rise through the ranks has been outstanding. At the age of 22 he has already established himself as Kieran Crowley's first choice in a hugely competitive Benetton front row. He is also impressing in his short career with the national team. His confidence and ability to take the game to the opposition has made him another of Italy's brightest talents. It may be that joining the national squad after impressing at the under-20s has given these players more of a swagger and confidence in their play. It may also be that his crew cut reminds me of a young Andrea Lo Cicero. Either way Riccioni is one of my favourite players and should have a huge impact this tournament.

Giosue Zilocchi (Age: 23 Caps: 2)

Zilocchi has only seen 41 minutes of international rugby for Italy and will make his Six Nations debut at this years tournament. This season he has only missed 2 games for Zebre in the Pro14 and in the process has become their first choice tighthead prop. His form for the Parma side has seen him beat both Simone Ferrari and Tiziano Pasquali to selection, two players who featured heavily under Conor O'Shea. Zilocchi's big frame makes him a threat in the scrum and also at the breakdown, while his youth allows him to get around the park to put in lots of work. His relationship with Bigi at Zebre will be an advantage in the competition for the No. 3 shirt with Riccioni (a battle that has been going on through the youth ranks).

Pietro Ceccarelli (Age: 27 Caps: 9)

With only 9 international caps Pietro Ceccarelli has been a bit of stranger to the national team since he left Zebre in 2017. This isn't to say that he doesn't bring experience to the team. His travels saw him play a season with Oyannax in the French Pro D2 before being picked up by Edinburgh. His time playing for an in form Edinburgh team means that he will bring a different style of prop to Smith's disposal. The traditional tightheads of Riccioni and Zilocchi provide Smith with big, ball carrying scrummagers. Ceccarelli on the other hand is used to playing in a open free flowing Edinburgh side where your ability to get around the park is just as important as your strength. It may be that if the speed of the game is too much for the young players then Smith will turn to Ceccarelli.

Franco Smith's front row selection shows how improved the Zebre pack is. The front row is an area which Benetton have always held an advantage, but this has become much more equal in terms of national selection. In terms of depth though Benetton still hold the advantage. If there are any injuries or suspensions during the tournament then Treviso will be Smith's first port of call. Waiting in the wings are loosehead props Nicola Quaglio and Cherif Traore as well as tightheads Simone Ferrari and Tiziano Pasquali. All featured heavily under O'Shea but will have to re-find some form to take their places back from the youngsters.