Italy: Down But Not Out
Even after 17 years with little success, Six Nations organisers are right to cut the Azzurri just a little more slack, writes James Harrington.
Heartening news for Italian rugby fans, not to mention the Azzurri’s relatively new coach Conor O’Shea: Six Nations organisers are not planning to introduce promotion and relegation any time in the near future.
Chief executive John Feehan has told BBC Radio Wales “in the short to medium term there is not any genuine likelihood of that happening.”
Since five became six back in 2000, Italy have finished bottom of the table in 11 of the 17 tournaments, winning only 12 of their 85 matches, and drawing one.
Meanwhile, rugby has been on the rise in eastern Europe, with Georgia and Romania pushing hard for a shot in the northern hemisphere’s premier international rugby tournament.
It is easy to see their argument. While five of the current Six Nations’ teams are currently in the top eight of World Rugby’s rankings, O’Shea’s Italy are 13th, one place behind Georgia and only three above Romania.
And, while Italy have been on table-propping duty for much of their Six Nations’ lifetime, including seven of the last 10 tournaments, Georgia have been pretty much unbeatable in Europe’s second-tier international competitions, winning nine of the past 10 European Nations Cups.
Despite the poor statistical performance, O’Shea is convinced Italy deserve to be a part of the competition, despite calls from the eastern European nations for a play-off.
“Italy have earned their right to be in the Six Nations,” O’Shea insisted at a pre-tournament press conference.
“If ever promotion and relegation were the case, who knows who would be at the bottom by the time that comes? If we get our system right and look after ourselves then we don’t have to have those conversations.”
He has the backing of tournament CEO Feehan, who dismissed any immediate prospect of introducing promotion and relegation in any form. “It’s not that long ago they beat South Africa … so they are capable of beating anyone on their day,” he pointed out, adding a reminder that the Azzurri have beaten every other Six Nations side accept England.
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He, of course, failed to mention the shellacking they were handed by New Zealand the week before the historic Springboks’ win, or the loss to Tonga a week later.
O’Shea, too, wants to focus on that win over South Africa, describing it as Italy’s ‘Munster moment’.
“With my Irish hat on, Munster beating the All Blacks in 1978 is something that’s always spoken about. The win over South Africa could be like that Munster win for us, but only if we make that the case.”
It’s easy to forget that the Azzurri were within minutes of beating France in the opening round of last year’s Six Nations before they were eventually pipped 23-21 at the Stade de France – but it does seem an awful long time ago that Italy beat both France and Ireland in one competition to finish in the top four for the second time in their history. In fact it was just four years ago – the same season that Treviso finished seventh in the Pro 12.
Back then it seemed Italian rugby was making progress. Things have fallen backwards since, with both Italian Pro 12 sides struggling to make much of an impact. But, with a new team in Rome set to take Zebre’s place in the Pro 12 and O’Shea putting together a promising coaching team for the national side, maybe it’s right that the organisers cut them a little more slack.
After all, France joined the Five Nations competition in 1910 and won just one game in their first four tournaments. It took them until 1954 to win a share of the title, and they won their first outright crown in 1959.
Let’s look at it again after the 2019 World Cup.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments