Record-equalling Italian contingent deliver five-star performance

Over the years, some of Italy’s most celebrated internationals have graced Premiership fixtures, from front-rowers Martin Castrogiovanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini to lock and current Sale Sharks head coach Marco Borolami and former Wasps centre Andrea Masi.

Currently, there are a handful of Italians plying their trade in the PREM, and on Sunday at Franklin’s Gardens, five came together when Northampton hosted Exeter to equal a league record. For a game played at an espresso-induced pace, it was fitting that the frenetic 33-33 draw had such a strong Roman influence.

Teenage PREM debutant, Edoardo Todaro, an Italian U20 international, seized his chance to score two tries for Saints, while on the same side, Danilo Fischetti got stuck in at the coal face.

For Exeter, Azzurri scrum-half Stephen Varney had a lively game, Ross Vintcent scored twice, and second-row Andrea Zambonin came off the bench and made some crucial defensive interventions.

PREM Rugby’s official statistician, Stuart Farmer, says it’s only the third time in the 28-year history of the league that five Italians – either born or capped – have played in the same PREM rugby fixture.

The two previous instances were in 2014. In October, Sale beat Wasps 25-14 with full-back Luke McLean and prop Alberto Di Marchi in their matchday 23, while compatriots Carlo Festuccia, Lorenzo Cittadini and Masi were in the opposition ranks.

The second and last time this occurred, until Sunday’s match, was a month later, when Owen Williams’ six penalties helped Leicester edge Wasps 18-16.

The Tigers had a strong Italian front-row presence that day, with Michele Rizzo and Ghiraldini on the bench, alongside Canadian-born Azzurri lock Robert Barbieri. Meanwhile, Masi lined up at full-back for Wasps and Cittadini packed down at loose-head.