Italian Rugby is in the midst of a golden generation of talent coming through its ranks.
Ange Capuozzo has become one of the finest fullbacks in the world, following his outstanding 2022 season, which saw him named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
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There are further exciting young players ready to take their chance on the Test scene as Italy prepares to face the Wallabies in Udine on Sunday (AEDT).
Rugby.com.au breaks down five of their best and brightest players aged 25 years and under.
A hamstring injury to Tom may have denied fans a battle of the second-generation Lynaghs but 24-year-old Louis will be itching to get the chance to shine against Australia, where dad Michael made his name.
Lynagh looked set to pull on the English jersey after rising through their under-age programs, but surprised many as he chose to play for his country of birth.
He was rushed straight into the Italian side to play Scotland, scoring on debut in the upset win.
The Benetton winger has started the season on fire, scoring six tries in four games in the United Rugby Championship.
Opoku-Gyamfi is one of the more intriguing prospects in Italian Rugby after earning his maiden call-up to the national side last month as a 19-year-old.
Yet to debut, the monster lock stands at 1.96 metres and weighs 148 kilograms, making it one of the largest locks in the world, behind Will Skelton.
The Bath product is of Ghanaian heritage, having been born in Italy before his family moved to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He can also play in the back row and, after a strong U20s campaign, has earmarked himself as a player to watch in Europe.
Menoncello is a name that may be unfamiliar to Australian Rugby fans but will be very shortly.
The midfielder has burst onto the scene since his debut in 2022, becoming the youngest player to score in the Six Nations after crossing against France at the age of 19 years and 170 days.
He would go on to be named Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2024, already accumulating over 30 caps.
The centre has been linked with European powerhouses Toulouse and looms as a central piece of a damaging Italian backline.
Vintcent has travelled the world to make his mark in Rugby.
Born in South Africa, the back-rower grew up in Dubai and made the move to Europe to further explore his Rugby career after being scouted by Italian Rugby, eligible through his grandparents.
Vintcent featured for the Italian U20s in 2021 and 2022 and linked up with Exeter after heading to the town to study.
He debuted for Italy in 2024 and has become a key member of both sides over the past 12-18 months.
Cannone follows in the footsteps of some famous Italian back-rowers, most notably Sergio Parisse.
The number eight had a dream start to his international career, taking down the Wallabies in just his second Test for Italy in 2022.
His influence on the team was evident in their mid-year series against the Springboks, impressing in the first Test before the visitors were blown out as the 24-year-old watched on with a back injury.
Cannone is joined in the national squad by brother Niccolo, with the pair living out the dream for Benetton and Italy.
