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Italy: Down But Not Out

Even after 17 years with little success, Six Nations organisers are right to cut the Azzurri just a little more slack, writes James Harrington.

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Heartening news for Italian rugby fans, not to mention the Azzurri’s relatively new coach Conor O’Shea: Six Nations organisers are not planning to introduce promotion and relegation any time in the near future.

Chief executive John Feehan has told BBC Radio Wales “in the short to medium term there is not any genuine likelihood of that happening.”

Since five became six back in 2000, Italy have finished bottom of the table in 11 of the 17 tournaments, winning only 12 of their 85 matches, and drawing one.

Meanwhile, rugby has been on the rise in eastern Europe, with Georgia and Romania pushing hard for a shot in the northern hemisphere’s premier international rugby tournament.

Screenshot (2)It is easy to see their argument. While five of the current Six Nations’ teams are currently in the top eight of World Rugby’s rankings, O’Shea’s Italy are 13th, one place behind Georgia and only three above Romania.

Screenshot (1)And, while Italy have been on table-propping duty for much of their Six Nations’ lifetime, including seven of the last 10 tournaments, Georgia have been pretty much unbeatable in Europe’s second-tier international competitions, winning nine of the past 10 European Nations Cups.

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Despite the poor statistical performance, O’Shea is convinced Italy deserve to be a part of the competition, despite calls from the eastern European nations for a play-off.

“Italy have earned their right to be in the Six Nations,” O’Shea insisted at a pre-tournament press conference.

“If ever promotion and relegation were the case, who knows who would be at the bottom by the time that comes? If we get our system right and look after ourselves then we don’t have to have those conversations.”

He has the backing of tournament CEO Feehan, who dismissed any immediate prospect of introducing promotion and relegation in any form. “It’s not that long ago they beat South Africa … so they are capable of beating anyone on their day,” he pointed out, adding a reminder that the Azzurri have beaten every other Six Nations side accept England.

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He, of course, failed to mention the shellacking they were handed by New Zealand the week before the historic Springboks’ win, or the loss to Tonga a week later.

O’Shea, too, wants to focus on that win over South Africa, describing it as Italy’s ‘Munster moment’.

“With my Irish hat on, Munster beating the All Blacks in 1978 is something that’s always spoken about. The win over South Africa could be like that Munster win for us, but only if we make that the case.”

It’s easy to forget that the Azzurri were within minutes of beating France in the opening round of last year’s Six Nations before they were eventually pipped 23-21 at the Stade de France – but it does seem an awful long time ago that Italy beat both France and Ireland in one competition to finish in the top four for the second time in their history. In fact it was just four years ago – the same season that Treviso finished seventh in the Pro 12.

Back then it seemed Italian rugby was making progress. Things have fallen backwards since, with both Italian Pro 12 sides struggling to make much of an impact. But, with a new team in Rome set to take Zebre’s place in the Pro 12 and O’Shea putting together a promising coaching team for the national side, maybe it’s right that the organisers cut them a little more slack.

After all, France joined the Five Nations competition in 1910 and won just one game in their first four tournaments. It took them until 1954 to win a share of the title, and they won their first outright crown in 1959.

Let’s look at it again after the 2019 World Cup.

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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