English-born wing Paolo Odogwu and lock Dino Lamb have been selected to make their test debuts for Italy this weekend when they take on Ireland in a World Cup warm-up test at the Aviva Stadium.The pair are among nine starting line-up changes announced by coach Kieran Crowley for a second preparatory game for Italy, whose experimental outfit was beaten 25-13 by Scotland at Murrayfield last Saturday.They will have a much stronger line-up for Saturday's clash in Dublin with Odogwu and Lamb looking to stake a claim for a place in the World Cup squad."Dino has the ability to play number four and five and can also be a loose-forward.
He is very mobile for a big man," Italy coach Kieran Crowley said."He is starting to get to know our systems of play and is a very good ball-carrier with good skills.
He brings physicality and a presence."In 2021, Odogwu was called up to the England Six Nations squad but never made his test debut.
The former Wasps back, now at Benetton Rugby, qualifies for the Azzurri through his father."He is a different sort of winger than the others we have in that he is a very strong carrier, which will be an asset to us," Crowley said."I just want them both to go out and play, and know they are not going to be judged on one performance." Italy’s revamped side sees backline changes with a new halfback pairing of Paolo Garbisi and Stephen Varney.