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Getting to know: Italy U20s No8 Jacopo Botturi
By Liam Heagney
It’s been a typically inconsistent campaign for Italy and Jacopo Botturi at the World Rugby U20 Championship. A year ago after an underwhelming round one start, there was a shock round two win over South Africa, but their inability to back up that performance ultimately left them contesting a relegation play-off with Japan.
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This year, they have had a mirror-type pool: a terrible 15-55 start against Ireland followed by their 17-12 ambush of Australia, but they were again unable to back up that shock as a loss to Georgia in Stellenbosch consigned them to once more contesting the ninth-to-12th-place rankings.
The good news is that unlike last year when beaten by Fiji on match day four, they defeated Spain 28-15 and now have a chance of a ninth-place finish when they take on Georgia for a second time this Friday.
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Skipper Botturi, who led the team to two wins – including a victory away to France – in a fourth-place Six Nations finish, will now hope this ongoing results inconsistency can be tackled and that the 17-28 score last time out against the Georgians can be reversed in Athlone 10 days after the teams last met. In the meantime, here is how the Italian tackled the RugbyPass Q&A:
THE BASICS
Born: January 29, 2004;
Joined Italy age-grade: U18, October 2021;
Club: Petrarca Padova;
Height: 6ft 1;
Weight: 108kg;
Position: No8;
Boots: Puma Ultra;
Gumshield: The World Cup one;
Headgear: No;
School: School of Chemistry, Brescia.
RATE YOURSELF (out of 100)
Pace: I don’t know. 85;
Passing: 80;
Tackling: 90.
THE PAST
My favourite Italy player of all time is… (Sergio) Parisse;
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Favourite try I have ever scored is… Against Torino in the Italian championship;
A rugby memory that makes me smile is… The first time I put in the blue shirt of Italy;
The moment I realised I could make it is… When I signed the first contract with the Italy federation;
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is… Work hard and believe in your dream;
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My best subject in school was… Maths;
The first player who made me fall in love with rugby is… Parisse;
Growing up, my position was… Same position. No8;
The coach who has most impacted my game is… I think (Roberto) Santamaria, the coach this year, when I was a child.
Incredible!?
Italy beat Australia for the first time in their history! ??#WorldRugbyU20s | #AUSvITA | @Federugby pic.twitter.com/bzQalt1m6C
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 4, 2024
THE PRESENT
My best attributes on the field are… When we go down I keep the head up;
One thing I’m doing to improve my education is… Economics at university;
My favourite current Italy player is… Lorenzo Cannone;
My favourite YouTuber is… Alessandro Della Giusta;
My hardest working teammate is… Simone Brisighella;
My most skilful teammate is… Nicola Bozzo;
My favourite training drill is… Tackling;
My favourite music artist is… Post Malone.
How it looked at half-time in Cape Town when Ireland and Italy came down the tunnel. #WorldRugbyU20 #IREvITA #rugby pic.twitter.com/NmJGpmXdKp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 29, 2024
THE FUTURE
A player who could go all the way is… Nicola Bozzo;
If I could play with anyone, I would like to play with… Sebastien Chabal;
I will be happy with my career if I… Go on the first team of Italy;
One thing I want to add to my game is… My step on the carry;
If I could play in any other country, I would play in… France;
One person I want to meet is… I don’t know. Probably my grandma. I never met her and I want to talk to her. She was from Brescia;
One trophy I would love to win is… The World Cup.
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