Rugby-Italy beef up front row for physical clash with Boks

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Italy v England - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - February 13, 2022 Italy head coach Kieran Crowley before the match REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

(Reuters) - Buoyant Italy have two changes to their starting line-up for the autumn international series fixture against South Africa in Genoa on Saturday, with prop Pietro Ceccarelli and hooker Giacomo Nicotera coming into the front row.

Coach Kieran Crowley has otherwise resisted changes from the side that stunned Australia with a 28-27 win in Florence last weekend, as they take aim at a Springbok side that has narrowly lost both their autumn series games against Ireland and France.