The Matteo Minozzi news Wasps and Italian Rugby fans wanted to hear

[Rossm]

From Bobby Bridge:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-italy-news-minozzi-16593518

That's good news. And he's been seen at Broadstreet. This is, for me, potentially one of the most exciting signings we have made recently. I can't wait to see him black & gold. Dai sounds excited too.

[Shugs]

Yes, was hoping we'd get a fit Minozzi as he is an exciting prospect. At full back there may be an issue in the GP in terms of physicality in defence but going forward he could be great. Gives us wing options as well.

[BG]

I wouldn't have thought Minozzi is much smaller than WLR (S Hogg??). Physicality (size) shouldn't be a consideration for a 15. They aren't there to make tackle busting bursts into the line or smash back forwards in the defensive line.

Good under the high ball, ability to read the flow of the game, decent speed (again not a pre-requisite, neither Brown or Goode are speedsters) and to be able to make last ditch, corner flagging tackles (is E Daly able to do that at 15??).

There has been a drop in Italian signings to the EPL recently. The tendancy seems to be for good Italian players to go to France, so its interesting he chose the EPL and Wasps

[Raggs]

He's on the bench for their game against Ireland on Saturday.

[Rossm]

He's on the bench for their game against Ireland on Saturday.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has named an experimental line-up for his side's first World Cup warm-up match against Italy.

Details from the Beeb:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49277956

[backdoc]

I'm not sure how fast Minozzi is, but Italy have a Ferrari on the bench.

[Rossm]

I'm not sure how fast Minozzi is, but Italy have a Ferrari on the bench.

LOL

[Raggs]

So due to an injury in the warmup Minozzi started the game, was pulled at half time, seemingly tactical as there's been no mention of injury. So a longer run out than planned, but I think he came through.  Huge amount of bandaging on his leg. Reminiscent of Leiua when he was with us and didn't have an ACL. Hopefully it's just to help keep things stable whilst strength returns, and isn't reflective of a more long term issue (such as Leiua's absent ACL).

[backdoc]

i thought both Leiua and Minozzi had ACL reconstructions?

[Raggs]

Leuia played his first season with us without the reconstruction. Think it was the following summer he didn't play for Samoa and had the surgery.