Just before Christmas the FIR has announced a completely new initiative to advance the standing of women’s rugby in the two Latinate nations. Italy Two new franchises have been created, based on the existing men’s clubs, Benetton and Zebre. They include 65 players from 15 clubs, a blend of seasoned internationals, players on the edge
Italy v South Africa – Round 2 Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town This was a rare and fascinating meeting between two very different types of team: the Italians spreading the ball wherever possible, the Springboks happy to let the pack do a lot of work. After a few shaky moments in deep defence, the Azzurre
Two head coaches make plentiful changes Nanni Raineri has made sweeping changes to the side that faces the Boks in Cape Town on Friday. With the withdrawal from action of the skipper, Sofia Stefan, Beatice Rigoni assumes the captaincy. She may well have held that honour before, but if so, I don’t recall it. In
A Game to treasure The last of the five tests played out on 30 September proved to be the game of the day. It was on a knife edge till the 89th minute. But the Sakura made a telling point by defeating the home-team in the tightest of games. The Azzurre started on top, Beatrice
Italy v Spain Stadio Walter Beltrametti, Piacenza 22 July This match takes its special place in history as the very last qualifier to decide the three tiers of the WXV. The winners gain the last available spot in WXV2, the losers go to WXV3. If you have the gift of sympathy, you could direct it
Italy v Wales – Six Nations – Round Five Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma Result: Italy 10 Wales 36 Player of the Match: Alex Callender The looming arrival of the WXV meant that every point scored in Parma would take on extra significance. To ensure their place in Tier 1 Wales had either to win or gain
Round Four, Six Nations – Scotland v Italy DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh Result: Scotland 29 Italy 21 Player of the Match: Jade Konkel-Roberts It’s so nice to be wrong. Scotland stormed to a first victory of the championship and a first win in a long time. I suspect I wasn’t alone in thinking the Azzurre
Six Nations – Round Three Parma This was the result I expected, but not the manner of it. Ireland really got stuck in; it took two electric tries from Alyssa D’Inca to see the Azzurre home. In the regrettable absence of skipper Elisa Giordano, Giovanni Raineri gave Sofia Stefan the armband (her first appointment on
Six Nations – Round Two Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton Result: England 68 Italy 5 Player of the Match: Sarah Bern England powered to another overwhelming victory against a courageous Italian side. For them the wait goes on, but their coming home game against a dispirited Ireland should set them on their way again. First Italy: they
Giovanni Raineri has published his team to face England on Sunday at Northampton. It is: 1 Gaia Maris 2 Vittoria Vecchini 3 Lucia Gai 4 Sara Tounesi 5 Giordana Duca 6 Francesca Sgorbini 7 Giada Franco 8 Elisa Giordano (captain) 9 Sara Barattin 10 Veronica Madia 11 Sofia Stefan 12 Beatrice Rigoni 13 Michela Sillari
Social Networks