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Italy demolish Russia in World Cup warm-up

Conor O'Shea

Italy racked up the second-highest points tally in their history as they stormed to an 85-15 World Cup warm-up victory over Russia on Saturday.

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Only in a 104-8 demolition of the Czech Republic in 1994 have Italy scored more, with Matteo Minozzi responsible for three of his side’s 13 tries in San Benedetto Del Tronto.

Mattia Bellini and Edoardo Padovani touched down twice apiece, while Tommaso Allen kicked 12 points, including a conversion, after touching down himself early in the second half.

Italy, who lost all of their Six Nations matches earlier this year, visit France and England before heading to Japan for the World Cup next month.

England Head Coach Eddie Jones said Wales was a brilliant World Cup warm-up after his side lost at the Principality Stadium. England suffered a 21-13 loss to Wales as both teams’ prepare for the Rugby World Cup that starts next month in Japan.

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Comments on RugbyPass

f
fl 4 minutes ago
‘Dupont may return just as fast and even wiser and smarter. France, and the world, hopes so’

Honestly I really don’t care what venue a player plays in. Dupont has been challenged plenty against top opposition.

6 Go to comments
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SC 6 minutes ago
'He fits all those boxes': Former All Black's pick for Razor's openside

Because I personally do not believe that Wallace Sititi is tall enough to start at blindside flanker on an All Black team capable of winning against South Africa or France consistently (Jerome Kaino was 1.96m, not 1.88m), I believe Sititi must be the first loosie selected when healthy and put in his best position which is No 8. Hoskins Sotutu would be my backup 8.


Once you commit to playing your best player in 2024 (Sititi) at 8, it is obvious that Savea is selected at openside flanker with a Savea clone, like Peter Lakai or Bismarck Duplessis, as his backup at 7. I would select Lakai as he is 21 and his best years are ahead of him.


With Sititi at 8 and Savea at 7, the All Blacks then need to settle on a BIG mobile blindside in the Kaino mold (who hits hard in defence and runs hard in tight and is a good lineout jumper). Samipeni Fineau, Cameron Safua, Cullen Grace, Devon Flanders are options.


And of course Shannon Frizell is returning to NZ after the Japan Top League is over. My choice at 6 would be Frizell and whichever of the previous SR candidates steps up. Cullen Grace is a very good 6 but like Blackadder has been unable to stay healthy an entire season. However Grace just turned 25 so there is still hope he can overcome his injury history. Fineau needs to step up this season and start rocking big forwards and not just small 10s from Australia as he made his reputation on last season.


Three players I would move past and not select are Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, and Ethan Blackadder who are all very good Super Rugby players but have been tried and tested at All Black level and none of the three have proven to be more than average. And now they are in their late 20s with little to no upside.

8 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 12 minutes ago
Schalk Burger's controversial Felix Jones call gets immediate put down

If Rassie steps aside - do you think Felix would be an option? If Nienaber isn’t available?

3 Go to comments
F
Francisco Roldan 13 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

Hi Nick, very specific analysis. On Saturday we were travelling with my club to play a friendly match in preparation, and I had to be content with just analysing the data: it showed great defensive work by FRA, reflected in twice as many turnovers won as IRE. I was only able to watch the delayed video last night, and my general opinion is that FRA's game is becoming less and less dependent on its emotions. If both FRA and ARG - both are Latin teams - manage to consolidate their emotions during the course of the game, they will be feared forces internationally. FRA is already clearly demonstrating this.

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PB 13 minutes ago
Schalk Burger's controversial Felix Jones call gets immediate put down

Doubt it! If anything Nienaber may step back in, unless he resigns with Leinster.


He already has the experience and with familiar faces in DOR which Rassie could revert to, he was also familiar with all the other coaches except Tony Brown. Which all augurs for a settled transition.

3 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 22 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

Damn good scrumhalf.


Joost was also big for a scrumhalf.

161 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 27 minutes ago
Schalk Burger's controversial Felix Jones call gets immediate put down

I think Schalk is correct.


Or at least Felix is being groomed for the option.

3 Go to comments
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SL 31 minutes ago
'Suits my game': Wales' Ioan Lloyd set for region switch

Too inconsistent and the bad plays far outweigh the good ones. He put the team in trouble with his unpredictable movement and his kicking out of hand is particularly bad. I’m glad he’s going to Cardiff and hope the Scarlets recruit an experienced 10 to go with Sam.

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GrahamVF 45 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

The link to the article I posted referred to the whole of the WC so that included the games against Ireland and Scotland and so clearly knock out games are more conservative which brings the average up. I was replying to a post by JC in which he, in his usual sweeping style, generalised saying:”That style suited SA, but was a strict limited system. That basically created plays off box kicks from open play.” He was generalising South Africa’s play. I refuted it with stats from the WC.

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L
Lums 47 minutes ago
Italy vs South Africa | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

How much are the tickets for 12 July game @Nelson Mandela Stadium

1 Go to comments
G
GrahamVF 55 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

Don’t tell me tell the authors of the RWC article. You generalised. If you want to be specific then say so but if you generalise don’t shoot the messenger telling you you are wrong.

161 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

Really? Perhaps you’ve heard of RTE?


https://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2025/0226/1499127-some-irish-fans-need-to-take-hard-look-at-themselves/

161 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

“What BOD said is been twisted as he said a small minority and was referred to the OTB tools.”


Really? So the link below has the full interview with BOD and while he doesn’t apply the criticism to the Irish team, the fans are very much front and centre of his accusation.


Ps RTE is the national broadcaster in Ireland, so not a single tin pot podcast outfit!


https://www.rte.ie/sport/six-nations/2025/0226/1499127-some-irish-fans-need-to-take-hard-look-at-themselves/

161 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

Well first up, I’m not a Bok so that’s one arrogant presumption from you that we can nail straight up. Second, I don’t recall the Smit quote but acknowledge that it may be accurate. However context is everything so it’s an open question on whether your use of the quote, in the event that it is in fact accurate, is relevant to your reply. Perhaps you can provide a reference, as I have below for the BOD quote? Either way, it’s not a common occurrence for former captains to slam their own fans.


You have a good day now!

161 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

That would leave people speechless, a lot of people!

161 Go to comments
J
JD 1 hour ago
Five options England have to replace Ollie Lawrence

I would love Leicester to try Steward at inside centre and see if he adapts well to it. A phenomenal player and athlete but perhaps not quite fast enough for 15. He would make an excellent centre and would be similar in terms of style to Jordie Barrett

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TL 1 hour ago
Graham Simmons: 'Stick a fork in the 2025 Six Nations. It’s done.’

Thank you for this super well written piece, it was a pleasure reading it, I’ll definitely come back looking for more of these.

4 Go to comments
E
Ed the Duck 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

The clear and obvious alternative is for referees to enforce the laws as they stand. In full. Will be messy for a while but players and coaches will get there, and the game will be all the better for it.

161 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 2 hours ago
Ireland player ratings vs France | 2025 Six Nations

POM was obstructed. He may/may not have made a meal of it to highlight but he was obstructed which is a penalty. Flament started to tackle him but then unbound his arms. Not a tackle but clear obstruction. Carling ran a long way to inform the ref who was closer to the incident.

363 Go to comments
C
Carlos 2 hours ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

I remember last year watching England-Ireland in a pub in Zermatt. Very entertaining. I said at the end of the game, “you need more Kiwis to win”. The English fan laughed, not the Irish. And I’m a classic ABE…

161 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.' Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.'
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