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
Italy v France – Round One This was a tough contest between the two Latin rivals, to justify all the hype behind the competition. Rain fell and the wind blew almost throughout the match, putting a great strain on the pass, the catch and the line-out throw. Unlike their last meeting at the World Cup
In an interesting move Giovanni Raineri has posted the names of the 28 players to represent Italy in the first two rounds of the 6 Nations against France then England. They are: Sara Barattin (Villorba), Jessica Busato (Villorba), Beatrice Capomaggi (Villorba), Alice Cassaghi (CUS Milano), Mathilde Cheval (Valsugana), Alyssa D’Inca (Villorba), Giordana Duca (Valsugana), Valeria
France, Italy, England France Audrey Forlani is a shining example of bad luck turning to good. She was disappointed beyond measure at not making the trip to the World Cup. Then she received a phone call from the newly installed co-coaches asking if she’s like to captain the national team. She said yes! She has
Giovanni Raineri, the incoming head coach of the Azzurre, has posted the names of 36 players to form an extended squad to form the basis of the eventual 6N team. I am indebted to Mario Diani for some of the information that follows. The Squad: Sara Barattin (Villorba), Francesca Barro (Valsugana), Jessica Busato (Villorba), Gaia
The Azzurre are now on a high; quite literally, as they sit in fifth place in world rankings, their best ever, just ahead of the USA. The squad was given the big send-off at the Stadio Olimpico. It was shown live on FIR’s TV, via YouTube. Seven representatives of the great and good spread across
For the second time in a very short while I have got my predictions completely wrong. Japan saw off Ireland 29-10 in their rematch in Tokyo (27 August). Tonight, 9 September, the Azzurre completed one of their greatest wins, 26-19 in their own return game against Les Bleues. My two forecasts were way off the
Stade des Arboras, Nice Result: France 21 italy 0 This really was a strange game, played in front of a tiny crowd, barely over 3,000, in huge contrast to the vast gates attracted to watch Les Bleues over recent matches. And the French squad seemed to react to the lack of atmosphere. The scoring was
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