Vecchini calls for Italy to 'impose' themselves against Red Roses

After grabbing two tries in two Guinness Women’s Six Nations matches, Italy’s Vittoria Vecchini is relishing the chance to add more in the final two weeks of the 2026 Championship.

The Azzurre hooker scored against Ireland and Scotland. Both tries featured the 24-year-old crashing over from close range after sterling work from her pack to drive her to the line after a successful lineout.

Vecchini is the latest in a long line of hookers who have racked up their try count from a move that begins with her finding the lineout jumper and then tucking herself into the back of the maul while the ball works its way back to her welcoming grip.

“There’s no discussions with anyone, but that’s taking into account that you need everyone doing their jobs to move the maul forward,” Vecchini told RugbyPass.

“It could be someone else, but my team-mates are fantastic at driving me forward, so whether I want the ball or not, the important thing is if I have it, I score.”

Vecchini’s try against Scotland came at an important moment. Fabio Roselli’s team had opened a 29-0 lead at half-time, and her score stretched the advantage to 34-0 early in the second half.

Soon after, captain Elisa Giordano and fly-half Veronica Madia received yellow cards, but the buffer Vecchini’s try helped build up, along with the confidence it gave the team, meant Scotland were unable to close the gap enough to spark thoughts of a late comeback.

“It was a very typical hooker try,” Vecchini said. “Everything we did up to half-time helped us, especially when we went down to 13 against 15. To score when we were 13 girls against 15 was very important. It kept spirits up and meant we didn’t despair.”

The win over Scotland was the latest in a growing rivalry between the teams that has also extended into WXV, and the first time since 2023 that the home side has won their Women’s Six Nations encounter.

It came after Italy had lost to France and Ireland in their opening two fixtures, and though Vecchini was back training with her club Valsugana Rugby Padova during the break week, victory meant the squad returned to camp in good spirits.

“We are back training together and the mood is very good, after we got the win we needed over Scotland,” Vecchini said. “Everyone is pleased and proud with it.

“We had been together for three weeks by the match and were very united. We had to rediscover our style and we knew it would be a difficult match, but we had to go and win it. We had the correct desire to win and we did so. We were good.”

With 44 caps at only 24-years-old, Vecchini is an experienced head on young shoulders. She had to grow up quickly after Melissa Betoni retired following the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup and left her as the senior hooker in the squad.

Before the tournament head coach Roselli spoke about giving players from the Under-21 and Under-18 teams opportunities, and he showed his intentions by including nine uncapped players in his initial squad.

It has meant that more responsibility has fallen on Vecchini and other players of a similar age, something she is happy to embrace. However, with many coming through Italy’s age-grade teams, they have already picked up many of the fundamentals that being in the national squad requires.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

3

59

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

40%

“While I’m 24 and have 44 caps, I’m not an old one, but I’m not one of the young ones,” Vecchini said. “I’ve still so much to learn about my position. I can also advise and help the young players in my position, and I use the experience I have acquired to help the younger players.

“Times have definitely changed. When I was coming through, there was no Under-21, no Under-18, there was only the national team and that was it. It is clear that international level is a step up, but they already understand what the level is. I only reached the levels they had when I joined the national team.

“The younger players have already been in the age-grade teams and mentally and physically they are so well-prepared and understand what is expected of them.”

Next up for Vecchini and her teammates are England, with their clash against the world champions in Parma to open Round 4.

Italy have yet to defeat the Red Roses in 27 prior meetings and while John Mitchell’s side have a long injury list, Vecchini knows facing them will be as hard as ever. Though it does allow the Azzurre to measure their progress.

“Playing the world champions is always difficult but is also a privilege to challenge the strongest team in the world and see how we can impose our style and at a minimum see how we can trouble them,” Vecchini said. “This is what we want to do.

“We’ve studied them hard, and the first scrum is just the first scrum, though it helps set the tone. As ever we will go though our process for the scrum and then worry about what they do. If they change something then fine, but we’ll worry about ourselves first.”