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Irish pundit calls for Italy to be axed from Six Nations to make way for South Africa
Irish TV commentator and rugby reporter Hugh Cahill has called for Italy to be axed from the Six Nations following their 96-17 defeat to the All Blacks in Lyon.
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The manner of conceding nearly 100 points was proof that Italian rugby is no longer fit for purpose in Europe’s premier international rugby competition.
Italy has just 13 victories from 120 Six Nations appearances since joining the competition in 2000 and often go long stretches without wins.
They were able to break a seven-year losing streak in 2022 when they beat Wales 22-21 for their first victory since 2015, but ended up with the wooden spoon again in 2023 with another winless campaign.
Cahill wrote it was “only a matter of time” before South Africa takes Italy’s place in the Championship. He believed there wasn’t room for both teams due to the demands of the annual calendar.
Only a matter of time before South Africa replace Italy in 6N’s. Rugby calendar won’t allow seven teams. Love Italians and everything about the country, but professional rugby there has not evolved or progressed to a sufficient degree. Tonight is the proof.
— Hugh Cahill (@hughcahill7) September 29, 2023
South Africa’s domestic teams already compete in Europe in the United Rugby Championship and the Stormers have featured in two finals, winning one.
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But breaking into the Six Nations at Italy’s expense would be difficult with the ownership structure in place. The six national unions and private equity arm CVC all have equity stakes in the competition.
Won’t happen without Italian approval – they are an equal shareholder in 6Ns with the other teams and CVC. Detailed in the tournaments governing documents published when CVC bought in…..
— John Butler (@jgabutler) September 30, 2023
Those against Cahill’s proposal were quick to point out Italy’s success at age grade level.
Italy’s U20 side has offered some promise in recent seasons, finishing third in 2023 and fourth in 2022 in the U20 Six Nations.
They also produced a historic result at this year’s U20 World Championship beating hosts South Africa by 34-26.
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The national side may benefit from this promising crop over the next few seasons and boost Italy’s competitiveness.
Have you bothered to watch the u20s rugby championship? They’ve been competitive at that level for a few years which is probably why they’ve advanced at senior level.
— Eoghan Jennings (@JenningsEoghan) September 29, 2023
South Africa would bring one of the world’s most physical teams into the mix that would upend the competition.
Along with the current top two ranked sides Ireland and France, adding South Africa would create a super league.
But success for the Springboks would not be guaranteed given the strength of European rugby and how difficult it is to win away.
The Springboks would find it very tough to win the Six Nations if they joined. Going 0/3 vs Ireland & France since last November proves as much. Equally, European sides wouldn’t find much success against the Boks in SA, but it’s all about the away games for silverware.
— Ben Smith (@bensmithrugby) September 29, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Adding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
2 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
2 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to comments