Sofia Stefan and Italy wary of the threat posed by 'reborn' Wales

Sofia Stefan’s two years playing in Premiership Women’s Rugby meant she got to know the ins and outs of rugby and life in the United Kingdom, and one thing she has no doubt about is the importance of rugby’s place in day-to-day life in Wales.

Italy head to Cardiff for the fifth and final round of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and having lost in the Principality Stadium two years ago, Stefan is well aware that she and her Azzurre team-mates will be up against more than just a team as they chase their second win of this year’s Championship.

“Wales is a nation that is very proud of its rugby, and they show it every time they play on and off the pitch,” Stefan said. “They are definitely a team that is hard to play in Cardiff, both physically and mentally, and they put lots of pressure on you everywhere. You feel the hits and the physical side in the rucks, and the fans are right behind them.

“You really feel their love of rugby, and it isn’t an easy match. Wales are being reborn after a few tricky years, and they will want to show what they are capable of.”

Fixture

Womens Six Nations

Wales Women

04:15

17 May 26

Italy Women

All Stats and Data

Fabio Roselli’s side were the latest to fall to England’s relentless world champions, and while Italy did claim their third four-try bonus point of the tournament, their defence was unable to cope with the Red Roses’ attack which claimed the four-try bonus in under 20 minutes, finishing the match with nine tries.

Italy’s only win so far came against Scotland in Round 3, but they showed the progress Roselli’s team have made since he took over ahead of the 2025 Championship. They won 41-14 and ran in seven tries, including braces for Alyssa D’Inca and Vittoria Zanette.

Wales will be chasing their first win of the Championship and their first since Round 5 in 2024 when Sisilia Tuipulotu’s late try, and Lleucu George’s conversion gave Wales their first win of the Championship.

“I remember two years ago in Wales when they won the match in the last minute, and they have the ability to keep believing all the way to the end of the match,” Stefan said. “It will be a great challenge, and we want to start stronger than we did against England.”

“For Wales we are doing everything we can to be at our best level and be ready for how they want to attack. We want to end the tournament in a good way, and we are ready to give our all at the weekend and do everything to beat Wales.

“We will need to keep our focus and know when we need to slow down or pick up the pace of the game depending on what is going on. You face problems as they arrive and errors will always creep in, but we have to stay calm to play our game.”

Stefan is currently in her third spell with an foreign club. After five years in France with Stade Rennais, and two seasons in England with Sale Sharks, she is now enjoying life on France’s Mediterranean coast with Toulon, alongside international team-mates Alyssa D’Inca and Veronica Madia.

While in England, Stefan has strong memories of coming up against two of Wales’s key figures. Sean Lynn’s was in charge of Gloucester Hartpury during Stefan’s spell in Greater Manchester, and she is likely to reignite her rivalry with Bristol Bears scrum-half Kiera Bevan, who has started three of Wales’ matches and came off the bench in the other this year.

“Lynn coached the strongest team in the league and Gloucester Hartpury play in the way that he is trying to get Wales to play,” Stefan said. “They like to have their forwards build go-forward, but compared to the past few years, they are keeping the rhythm high in their three-quarters, and it means their players out wide can use their skills to make the difference.

“They have improved their play. Lynn arrived a year and a half ago and they have added a few more things to their style, and we know that they have a very good scrum-half who is very quick and tactically intelligent. She is someone we have to try and control.”

Womens Six Nations

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

England Women

4

4

0

0

20

2

France Women

4

4

0

0

20

3

Ireland Women

4

2

2

0

10

4

Italy Women

4

1

3

0

7

5

Scotland Women

4

1

3

0

5

6

Wales Women

4

0

4

0

2

Stefan has been Italy’s first-choice scrum-half since Sara Barattin’s retirement in 2023 and is now their most experienced player with over 100 caps. However, just as she was the young pretender for Barattin’s position, so she too faces a young rival in 20-year-old Alia Bitonci.

Bitonci started Italy’s opening clash against France and was replaced on the hour mark by Stefan. In the three subsequent matches, it has been Stefan that started, with Bitonci coming off the bench later in the match.

“It is good to have the competition in the squad,” Stefan said. “We push each other to be the best we can be. It is definitely a positive to have that in the squad and to have someone who will push me. She is very young and could have a big future ahead of her, but she is on the right path to reach the highest level.”