Italy Rugby News: RBS 6 Nations & Autumn Internationals

Rugby news: RBS 6 Nations & Autumn Internationals: Italy finish 6th in 2016 Rugby Six Nations

Italy has their sights set on bouncing back in the upcoming Autumn Internationals from their poor showing in the 2016 Six Nations Championship. Italy finished the RBS 6 Nations Championship in 6th place. As a result of finishing next to last and failing to win a game, Conor O'Shea has been hired to take over as head coach and lead the Italy National Team in time for the 2016 Autumn Internationals.

O’Shea will leave Harlequins at the end of the domestic season to take over from Jacques Brunel in Italy. Hopes are high that O’Shea’s appointment will be a turning point for the Azzurri. Former Ireland full-back O'Shea will work with Mike Catt, and Stephen Aboud focused on turning things around over the summer.

"This nomination by the FIR is a turning point," said President of the Italian Federation Alfredo Gavazzi. "We have identified three high profile figures but also three assets who through their professional pathways have what we believe is needed to contribute to our development.”

“O'Shea is a young coach who has a track record of success on the pitch and stand-out managerial skills which will be added advantage when dealing with the various components of Italian rugby,” added Gavazzi. "We are pleased to be able to offer a warm welcome to Conor, Mike Catt and Stephen Aboud, who will have a crucial role in the development of Italian rugby and the processes of training players and coaches at regional level."

Italy Captain Sergio Parisse feels fit as he is getting ready to play in his first match since the end of the RBS 6 Nations 2016 tournament. Parisse led Italy as his side lost in all five of Italy’s matches in the Championship.

"I've had a couple of weeks off. It's given me time to get refreshed mentally because the last few months have been quite difficult on a personal level, particularly during the Six Nations with Italy,” said Parisse."We've had a disappointing season, to be diplomatic. But we have to accept that, and not look for any excuses.

In their last Six Nations match the Azzurri traveled to Cardiff to play Wales with their sights on a first ever Six Nations win in Wales, after a harsh defeat to Ireland. However, Warren Gatland's Wales side scored nine tries in their biggest points total in a Six Nations match in Cardiff. Wales won by a record margin of 53 points, beating the 41-point difference set last year in Rome.

Wales’ Rhys Webb got Wales off to a dominant start before Dan Biggar got in on the act and racked up a total of 21 points. Italy were completely outplayed, but managed to score twice in the second half through scrum-half Guiglielmo Palazzini and centre Gonzalo Garcia. Ross Moriarty came off the bench to score two second-half tries as Wales walloped Italy 67-14 in a record-breaking win at Principality Stadium, confirming Wales second-place spot after first place England in the RBS 6 Nations.

Stats for Wales v Italy

Wales: 67 (27)
Try: Webb, Biggar, J Davies, Roberts, North, L Williams, Moriarty 2, G Davies
Conversion: Biggar 5, Priestland 3
Penalty: Biggar 2

Italy: 14 (0)
Try: Palazzani, Garcia
Conversion: Haimona 2

Wales v Italy Six Nations Squads

Wales Squad

Williams; North, J Davies, Roberts, Amos (Anscombe 48); Biggar (Priestland 58), Webb (G Davies 62); Faletau, Tipuric (Moriarty 16), Lydiate (captain); Charteris, B Davies (Ball 58); Lee (Jarvis 58), Baldwin (Owens 49), Evans (Jenkins 49)

Italy Squad

Odiete; Sarto, Pratichetti (Haimona 36), Garcia, Bellini (McClean 33); Allan, Palazzani (Lucchese 64); Parisse (captain), Zanni, Minto (Steyn 58); Bernabo (Sarto 46), Geldenhuys; Castrogiovanni (Chistolini 46), Giazzon,(Fabiani 49), Lovotti (Zanusso 64)

Sin Bin: Palazanni (18)

Man of the Match: George North (Wales)

Northampton wing George North destroyed Italy's defense from the start of the match, scored a cracker and assisted Davies' try. North carried the ball for 143 meters, and took his try tally for 2016 RBS 6 Nations to four.

"We know sometimes we've been slow starters in campaigns but we've just got to keep working hard on that and today was a good response by the players, said Wales manager Warren Gatland. "We conceded a couple of tries which was disappointing, but I thought we scored some outstanding tries and put the ball through the hands and some players put up some pretty big performances."

Italy National Team

The Italy National Rugby Union Team represents Italy in international rugby union. Italy compete annually in the Autumn Internationals and the RBS 6 Nations Championship against England, Wales, France, Ireland, and Scotland.

Manager: Conor O’Shea
Captain: Sergio Parisse
Most caps: Martin Castrogiovanni (117)
Top scorer: Diego Dominguez (983)
Top try scorer: Marcello Cuttitta (25)
Arena - Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
Union: Italy Rugby Federation

Italy 6 Nations 2016 Results
Round 1: France 23-21 Italy
Round 2: Italy 9-40 England
Round 3: Italy 20-36 Scotland
Round 4: Ireland 58- 15 Italy
Round 5: Wales 67-14 Italy

2016 - 2017 Italy Rugby Tickets

Buy your Italy rugby tickets including 2016 Autumn Internationals tickets and 2017 RBS 6 Nations tickets now! LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk has the very best selection of cheap, legal, authentic Italy Autumn Internationals tickets and Italy RBS 6 Nations tickets for the upcoming tournament beginning in February 2017 available now for sale online from the Live Rugby Tickets’ secure online rugby union tickets marketplace!

November 2016 – Italy Autumn Internationals Tickets

Italy host New Zealand at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy on Nov 12, 2016. The very best rugby tickets for Autumn Internationals are for sale now online at LiveRugbyTickets.co.uk!

Italy v New Zealand Tickets 12 Nov Stadio Olimpico Rome, Italy

February 2017 – Italy Six Nations Tickets

Don’t miss Scotland hosting Italy in a world-class Six Nations match on Mar 18 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, UK

Italy v Wales Tickets 5 Feb Stadio Olimpico Rome, Italy
Italy v Ireland Tickets 11 Feb Stadio Olimpico Rome, Italy
Italy v France Tickets 11 Mar Stadio Olimpico Rome, Italy
Scotland v Italy Tickets 18 Mar Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh, UK