Six Nations charity case? Hold fire and judge Italy in 2023
With Italy sitting at the foot of the Guinness Six Nations table and preparing for their crunch game with Scotland, it’s hard to ignore what have been several morale-sapping years for the Azzurri.
Franco Smith’s side have tasted defeat against Wales and France so far this year, whilst their only wins in 2019 came against Tier 2 teams Canada, Namibia and Russia. In 2018, they beat Georgia and split their two-match series with Japan, but you have to go all the way back to 2016 for their last win against a Tier 1 nation, when they beat South Africa, 20-18, in Florence.
It’s back to 2015 for their last Six Nations win, when they beat Scotland at Murrayfield, and though there has been the odd tight and competitive loss since then in the competition, that has done little to boost waning Italian spirits. Italy have consistently shown themselves to be more than a match for the teams looking to take their spot in the Six Nations, but their fortunes against the other five incumbents has been disappointing.
Conor O’Shea’s tenure will be remembered both positively and negatively, with the poor return at the senior men’s level impossible to ignore, although the win over South Africa was the first in the nation’s history and the improved fortunes, both on the pitch and in terms of producing top-tier players for Italy’s two club sides, of the Italian age-grade pathway is also part of his legacy in the country.
Italy, who host the World Rugby U20 Championship this year, have retained their spot in the top echelons of international age-grade rugby for the last four years now, whilst the likes of Japan, Samoa and Scotland have taken on the mantle of being relegated to the World Rugby U20 Trophy. In that time, the Italian U20s have been busy producing players of a calibre that they simply weren’t in the years prior to that.
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Watch: Dont’ Mess with Jim – Wales vs France preview
Whilst this is encouraging for Italian rugby and its passionate supporters, it also puts pressure on Smith as the new head coach. There’s a talented player base available to him that not all of his predecessors have been lucky enough to be able to tap into.
In 2016, the age-grade side featured Matteo Minozzi, Marco Zanon, Giovanni Licata, Marco Riccioni and Giosue Zilocchi, who have since amassed a combined 42 senior international caps at time of writing. A year later and Danilo Fischetti and Niccolo Cannone, both since capped, were emerging from the pathway, alongside current senior squad member Antonio Rizzi at fly-half.
There is a young core of talent there that, if it can be developed, is capable of being much more competitive within the Six Nations than we have seen Italy able to do in recent years. No one is predicting a significant enough surge in Italy’s fortunes to put them in contention for the title, but at U20 level at least, they are showing they are a match for most of their local rivals. Those players are now finding themselves transitioned into professional sides where they can develop and win.
Combined with a number of effective performers who are either soon entering their prime, such as Federico Ruzza and Jake Polledri, as well as players currently in their primes, such as Luca Bigi and Braam Steyn, the Italian squad is not as far off as some people seem to think it is.
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Both Zebre and Benetton have shown themselves to be capable of performing at a higher level within the PRO14 of late and the uptick in productivity of the Italian U20 side has seen both clubs fill out their squads with more and better-quality depth. The union isn’t at the point of having a surplus of talent for two teams and requiring a third just yet, though the trajectory is positive.
The 2020 Six Nations is a tough audition for Smith, who has been appointed on an interim basis. There is inevitably a desire to build more around that potential young core, although he needs to show his ability to put together a competitive side if he wants to stay in the role moving towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
From a fearsome but ageing pack to the standout backs that the country has produced over the past 15 or so years, and not forgetting the talismanic influence of Sergio Parisse, Italy have had the component parts in place before, but they have never seemed to quite align at the right time for the side to push on to higher levels.
It may be a young group, but there is a balance to Italy’s senior playing pool that is beginning to show itself, even if there is not currently an apparent Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni or Andrea Masi to call upon from their ranks.
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Up front, Fischetti, Riccioni and Zilocchi are still learning their trade and yet showing considerable ability, whilst Cannone and Ruzza could be one of the premier second row combinations in Italian rugby history in the coming years, ably assisted by Thomas Parolo. Steyn and Polledri bring class in the back row and are doing a very successful job of filling the Parisse void, with Licata also maturing into a valuable player.
Rizzi could be the long-awaited successor to Diego Dominguez, though that’s a burden you want to put on no one’s shoulders. The 25-year-old Callum Braley is being given the opportunity to prove he can cut at this level, too, with Charley Trussardi also on the radar. There is no doubt Smith would like more competition there, but there are young decision-makers to also build around in the half-backs.
Versatile back three star Minozzi is the spearhead of the back line in attack, where he is joined by Zanon and Mattia Bellini. All three have a point of difference at club level and are beginning to show that they can replicate that in the international arena. If the likes of Matteo Moscardi and Giovanni D’Onofrio can join them in the coming seasons, Italy have options and exciting ones at that.
Whether or not Smith is the man tasked with taking this group forward remains to be seen, but this is an opportune time to be getting in at the ground floor with Italian rugby. Titles will still allude the Azzurri, as they do Scotland, Argentina and other nations with limited player pools and a small number of professional teams, though the jump to being competitive, something which will be celebrated in Italy like title wins, is within reach.
Watch: Don’t Mess with Jim – Scotland vs Italy preview
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments