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Italy's continued inclusion in Six Nations questioned after 23rd consecutive loss

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Italy coach Franco Smith has defended their right to be in the Six Nations championship despite the 42-0 loss to Wales in Cardiff making it 23 successive defeats in Europe’s elite competition.

Smith has taken over from Conor O’Shea and is taking heart from last night’s win by the Italy U20’s over Wales as confirmation that significant improvements are being made despite the heavy beating by Wales who kept the opposition scoreless for the first time in the championship since 1974.

Smith understands the questions that are being asked and said: “I disagree, absolutely. I can understand there’s questions around it, it makes sense.

“But I still believe that what I know from Italian rugby and what I think is coming — we just heard about the results from our Under-20s and just last night (they beat WAL U20 17-7 on Fri) . There’s a good group of people coming through.

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“Obviously Italy in the last six years had to make certain changes in the way they recruit, the way they go about their business. But I think those platforms are there. I wouldn’t have accepted this role and responsibility if I didn’t believe that Italian rugby can make a step up and they will.”

“I was in the changing room tonight, the result is not a reflection of the quality of the side. If you’ve played this game, there’s ups and downs.

Italy

There’s two ways of looking at a disappointment — one negative and  it’s the end of the world or you use that in your favour. I feel there is change in Italy coming, the way we want to play the way we see the future. Unfortunately, where do you start that change? Tonight, if you look at the game again, you will see it was errors on our side, it wasn’t a lack of commitment, a lack of ability. It was errors that forced us into defending too much and then chasing a lead of 14 and later on 21 points. That forced us out of our system.

Smith paid tribute to Wales who now continue their defence of the title away to Ireland on Saturday and added: “They are a top side. It’s a pity that we had to have our first start in this way against them. But then again, I’d rather lose against the best the way we did then maybe just lose against another team that is not in the same form that this team is.

“I think Wales rugby can be really proud of this group of men they’ve got here. There’s obviously a very special bond and a very special character. The Welsh sides are not performing that well at this stage in Pro14  but they knit together very quickly and they obviously believe in a big dream. I think the Welsh supporters can be really proud of them.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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