Paolo Odogwu

Few players have taken a more winding route to Test rugby than Paolo Odogwu. Born in Birmingham on 18 February 1997, the powerful outside back came through the English club system — with spells at Sale Sharks and Wasps after early academy time at Leicester — before the collapse of Wasps in 2022 sent his career in a new direction. Qualified for Italy through his heritage, Odogwu switched his international allegiance and went on to represent the Azzurri, including at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He now plies his trade with Benetton in the United Rugby Championship. A genuine athlete with the frame of a centre and the speed of a wing, Odogwu is at his most dangerous running directly at defenders, using footwork and raw power to break the gain line and create momentum. He is equally comfortable on the wing or in midfield, and his ability to beat the first defender makes him a constant attacking threat. For Italy, he has added physical edge and line-breaking potential to a back division building towards greater competitiveness.