Source: Women’s 6 Nations

England expects – England half delivers

John Mitchell’s new-look side seemed on the way to a dominant win as they added five tries with the wind. The second-half remained scoreless till the 78th minute, showing the progress the Red Roses still have to make. Fabio Roselli will be heartened by the Italians’ showing. For lengthy periods after the break they put

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Source: Fiona Goodall - World Rugby via Getty Images

The Italy team to play England

Fabio Roselli joins Sean Lynn in presenting his first ever Six Nations squad. It is: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Alyssa D’Incà 12 Beatrice Rigoni 11 Francesca Granzotto 10 Veronica Madia 9 Sofia Stefan (captain) 1 Silvia Turani 2 Laura Gurioli 3 Sara Seye 4 Valeria Fedrigi 5 Giordana Duca 6 Beatrice

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Source: WXV

A New Italian Squad

Fabio Roselli has surprised me, if nobody else, by announcing a restructured squad to represent Italy in the first two rounds of the Six Nations. I published my thoughts on 5 March (http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/03/05/roselli-reveals-his- hand-the-italy-squad/) about the 30 names he listed then. Now he extends it by six, adding five uncapped players, which, given my concerns,

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Source: ©INPHO/Craig Watson

Roselli reveals his hand – The Italy Squad

Fabio Roselli becomes the first 6 Nations head coach to announce his choice of 30 players (see list below). The same features as last year strike me. Only one uncapped player, 20-year-old Alia Bitonci, gains a place. In stark contrast the number of caps across the rest of the team is huge; nine players have

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Source: WXV

A New Start for Italy

The FIR took everyone by surprise when it announced that Fabio Roselli would be replacing Giovanni Raineri as head coach from 1 January. Amongst other achievements Raineri had seen his side defeat Ireland away for the first time and ensure qualification for the 2025 World Cup. But two successive fifth positions in the Six Nations

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Source: WXV

A Must-win Game won

WXV2 – The Last Rites All three games are here, Wales v Japan first; Australia v Scotland second; South Africa v Italy down below. The final pecking-order comes last. Wales v Japan The Sakura started with deft handling, led by Sachiko Kato, but a fluffed pass let Kayleigh Powell find a long boomer to touch.

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Source: WXV

Welsh worries continue

Italy v Wales Cape Town These two sides were the tail-end Charlottes of the Six Nations. Games between them tend to be close and low-scoring. This one was close, low-scoring and tense beyond measure. Let me transport you first to the closing stages. Italy had been in the lead since early in the second half,

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Source: FIR

Italy v Wales – A Preview

This is one WXV game you might wish wasn’t taking place. After all, the two teams meet every year in the Six Nations, but the tournament’s structures aren’t yet perfect. The head coaches have announced their squads: Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Michela Sillari 12 Beatrice Rigoni 11 Francesca Grantzotto 10

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