Category: Italy

The 2007 Six Nations schedule has been released. Italy start off the 2007 season by hosting defending champions France at Stadio Flaminio.

Irish stadium Croke Park will host Ireland’s games with France (February 11) and England (February 24), while Lansdowne Road is being renovated.
Read the rest of this entry »

Former All Black John Kirwan was dumped by the Italian Rugby Federation as coach of the Italy national side.

A message from the federation said “The council of the Italian Rugby Federation, presided over by president Giancarlo Dondi, met in Bologna and decided to rescind the contract that tied the coach John Kirwan to the national team.”

Kirwan took over as coach in March 2002 and was contracted through until after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Italy finished last in this years 6 Nations competition after losing all their games. Despite poor performance Kirwan was still keen to stay on as coach.

The replacement is yet to be named.

Just as the 2005 Six Nations tournament comes to end, the schedule for next years competition is released. Defending champs, Wales, will start their defence by taking on England at Twickenham.

Ireland, Wales and France have the benefit of three home games, while the others will only have two home games.
Read the rest of this entry »

The 6 Nations is over for another year, with Wales the deserved winners.

Due to their win over Ireland, Wales jump to 5th spot in the latest IRB World Rankings.

Reuters name their Team of the Six Nations, not surprisingly France and Wales dominate the team.

In a BBC online poll Wales flanker Martyn Williams is named Six Nations Player of the Championship. Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll finished second in the poll, with another Welshman, wing Shane Williams, in third place.

Scotland coach Matt Williams looks like he will be losing his job. While Italy coach John Kirwan is also under pressure to go, but wants to stay until the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Looking forward to the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, the 6 Nations results will have effected selection possibilities for coach Sir Clive Woodward. Most significantly how will the poor performance of England and the win by Wales effect the make-up of the team. Although he still seems to be hopeful that Jonny Wilkinson will tour.

England defeated Italy 39-7 in a 6 Nations rugby game played at Twickenham on Saturday.

England - Tries: Steve Thompson, Mark Cueto (3), Iain Balshaw, Andy Hazell; Conversions: Charlie Hodgson (2), Andy Goode; Penalty: Hodgson

Italy - Try: Alessandro Troncon; Conversion: Gert Peens

Italy coach John Kirwan has called up fullback Gert Peens into the starting team for Saturday’s 6 Nations match against England at Twickenham.

Italy has suffered from poor goal kicking during this year’s 6 Nations series. Coach Kirwan has come under intense criticism from the Italian media for the teams poor performance this year. And with matches against England and France remaining it seems likely that Italy will get the wooden spoon this year. Although Kirwan remain confidant and believes a win against England is possible.
Read the rest of this entry »

The schedule for the 2005 Six Nations competition has been released. All times listed are UTC.
Read the rest of this entry »

Italy 32 defeated Japan 19 on Sunday in a one-off rugby test match.

Japan: Try: Onozawa Conversion: Ikeda Penalty goals: Ikeda 3 Drop Goal: Morita.

Italy: Tries: Castrogiovanni 3, Canale Conversions: Wakarua 3 Penalty goals: Wakarua 2.

Romania scored an upset victory in a one-off rugby test match against Italy in Bucharest on Saturday. Romania took a 22 to 5 lead going into half time break. In the second half Italy stormed back to lead 24 points to Romania’s 22. However a penalty to Romania 2 minutes before full time gave them the victory.

Romania - Tries: Ionut Tofan, Costica Mersoiu, Ovidiu Tonita. Conversions: Tofan (2). Penalties: Danut Dumbrava, Tofan.

Italy - Tries: Nicola Mazzucato, Kane Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Paul Griffen. Conversions: Francesco Mazzariol, Griffen.