1
Getting to know: Italy U20s No8 Jacopo Botturi
By Liam Heagney
It’s been a typically inconsistent campaign for Italy and Jacopo Botturi at the World Rugby U20 Championship. A year ago after an underwhelming round one start, there was a shock round two win over South Africa, but their inability to back up that performance ultimately left them contesting a relegation play-off with Japan.
ADVERTISEMENT
This year, they have had a mirror-type pool: a terrible 15-55 start against Ireland followed by their 17-12 ambush of Australia, but they were again unable to back up that shock as a loss to Georgia in Stellenbosch consigned them to once more contesting the ninth-to-12th-place rankings.
The good news is that unlike last year when beaten by Fiji on match day four, they defeated Spain 28-15 and now have a chance of a ninth-place finish when they take on Georgia for a second time this Friday.
Skipper Botturi, who led the team to two wins – including a victory away to France – in a fourth-place Six Nations finish, will now hope this ongoing results inconsistency can be tackled and that the 17-28 score last time out against the Georgians can be reversed in Athlone 10 days after the teams last met. In the meantime, here is how the Italian tackled the RugbyPass Q&A:
THE BASICS
Born: January 29, 2004;
Joined Italy age-grade: U18, October 2021;
Club: Petrarca Padova;
Height: 6ft 1;
Weight: 108kg;
Position: No8;
Boots: Puma Ultra;
Gumshield: The World Cup one;
Headgear: No;
School: School of Chemistry, Brescia.
RATE YOURSELF (out of 100)
Pace: I don’t know. 85;
Passing: 80;
Tackling: 90.
THE PAST
My favourite Italy player of all time is… (Sergio) Parisse;
ADVERTISEMENT
Favourite try I have ever scored is… Against Torino in the Italian championship;
A rugby memory that makes me smile is… The first time I put in the blue shirt of Italy;
The moment I realised I could make it is… When I signed the first contract with the Italy federation;
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is… Work hard and believe in your dream;
ADVERTISEMENT
My best subject in school was… Maths;
The first player who made me fall in love with rugby is… Parisse;
Growing up, my position was… Same position. No8;
The coach who has most impacted my game is… I think (Roberto) Santamaria, the coach this year, when I was a child.
Incredible!?
Italy beat Australia for the first time in their history! ??#WorldRugbyU20s | #AUSvITA | @Federugby pic.twitter.com/bzQalt1m6C
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 4, 2024
THE PRESENT
My best attributes on the field are… When we go down I keep the head up;
One thing I’m doing to improve my education is… Economics at university;
My favourite current Italy player is… Lorenzo Cannone;
My favourite YouTuber is… Alessandro Della Giusta;
My hardest working teammate is… Simone Brisighella;
My most skilful teammate is… Nicola Bozzo;
My favourite training drill is… Tackling;
My favourite music artist is… Post Malone.
How it looked at half-time in Cape Town when Ireland and Italy came down the tunnel. #WorldRugbyU20 #IREvITA #rugby pic.twitter.com/NmJGpmXdKp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 29, 2024
THE FUTURE
A player who could go all the way is… Nicola Bozzo;
If I could play with anyone, I would like to play with… Sebastien Chabal;
I will be happy with my career if I… Go on the first team of Italy;
One thing I want to add to my game is… My step on the carry;
If I could play in any other country, I would play in… France;
One person I want to meet is… I don’t know. Probably my grandma. I never met her and I want to talk to her. She was from Brescia;
One trophy I would love to win is… The World Cup.
- Click here to sign up to RugbyPass TV for free live coverage of matches from the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship in countries that don’t have an exclusive local host broadcaster deal
