NPR

I was going to post about how depressing it all is, but instead I though I'd post something positive instead

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=ext ... 7539063884

Marco Riccioni headed to Sarries: https://www.onrugby.it/2021/02/24/marco ... -saracens/

So whilst the national team was busy hitting rock bottom against Wales, the FIR elections were also taking place. And the result was (to me at least) quite surprising, Alfredo Gavazzi who these last 8 years has overseen Italian rugby officially turning to shit has been given the boot. Marzio innocenti, captain at the '87 world cup is the new president of the FIR. He recieved 56% of the vote, runner up was Paolo Vaccari with 40%. Gavazzi got a paltry 3.2% so it seems that the Italian rugby community is as fed up as I am!

It remains to be seen what he will do (what can he do?) to turn things around. Certainly there's no magic wand he can wave to fix all of our problems, but at least we don't have a total clown in charge

What are player numbers like in Italy?

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:08 pm What are player numbers like in Italy?

From what I can tell about 70k

That's astonishing for an incumbent! What was the platform for change put forward?

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:33 pm That's astonishing for an incumbent! What was the platform for change put forward?

Yeah, I was expecting a close race with the opponents all taking votes off each other and Gavazzi sneaking it. 3% of the vote shows just how bad it's gotten!

There's a very long interview with him here: https://www.onrugby.it/2021/01/16/elezi ... innocenti/

The big promises are to change the way the academy system is working, completely revamp the domestic competitions and try to get more integration between club, pro14 and national team. Also he says he wants to address rugby's image in Italy of a parochial and badly run sport.

sturginho wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:07 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 1:33 pm That's astonishing for an incumbent! What was the platform for change put forward?

Yeah, I was expecting a close race with the opponents all taking votes off each other and Gavazzi sneaking it. 3% of the vote shows just how bad it's gotten!

There's a very long interview with him here: https://www.onrugby.it/2021/01/16/elezi ... innocenti/

The big promises are to change the way the academy system is working, completely revamp the domestic competitions and try to get more integration between club, pro14 and national team. Also he says he wants to address rugby's image in Italy of a parochial and badly run sport.

Interesting stuff, thanks.

sturginho wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:59 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:08 pm What are player numbers like in Italy?

From what I can tell about 70k

That's not bad. Played some club teams back in the day, including Milan and what surprised me was how French the style was. Being used to the forward dominated national side (Dominguez era), it surprised me a bit.

Sign him up!

sturginho wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:06 pm So whilst the national team was busy hitting rock bottom against Wales, the FIR elections were also taking place. And the result was (to me at least) quite surprising, Alfredo Gavazzi who these last 8 years has overseen Italian rugby officially turning to shit has been given the boot. Marzio innocenti, captain at the '87 world cup is the new president of the FIR. He recieved 56% of the vote, runner up was Paolo Vaccari with 40%. Gavazzi got a paltry 3.2% so it seems that the Italian rugby community is as fed up as I am!

It remains to be seen what he will do (what can he do?) to turn things around. Certainly there's no magic wand he can wave to fix all of our problems, but at least we don't have a total clown in charge

Anybody named Innocenti gets my vote because of this:

Really bizarre that Ange Capuozzo has been overlooked by Italy

Interview with Minozzi: https://metadellaltromondo.gazzetta.it/ ... e-ci-sono/

He very nearly lost his sight. They don't know what caused it but believe it may have happened when he broke his nose playing against England. Fluid began to build up on the eye, but he didnt notice that anything was wrong until the champions cup match against clermont. Doctors then told him that one blow could have detached the retina completely!

He's recovering from a knee injury and should be back in a couple of weeks, so should be ok to play in the AIs. The article also mentions that Capuozzo is in line for a call up (finally!)

Italy u18s are currently leading 31-10 against Ireland.

Italy score again, a really surprising gulf between the two teams here

Final score 41-10

If only these great performances at youth level could translate to the senior team!

sturginho wrote: ↑Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:05 pm Final score 41-10

If only these great performances at youth level could translate to the senior team!

So they obvious question; why don't they?

Also, who coaches the age group teams? Italians or imports?

Achahoish wrote: ↑Sat Oct 30, 2021 5:09 pm

sturginho wrote: ↑Sat Oct 30, 2021 2:05 pm Final score 41-10

If only these great performances at youth level could translate to the senior team!

So they obvious question; why don't they?

Also, who coaches the age group teams? Italians or imports?

Well I do know the answer to your second question, this U18 team is coached by Roberto Santamaria (ex Aironi hooker)

Does Steve Aboud get much coverage in Italy?
Youths seem to be getting better over time.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Tue Nov 02, 2021 1:31 pm Does Steve Aboud get much coverage in Italy?
Youths seem to be getting better over time.

Perhaps not as much as he deserves, but I think it's no coincidence that since he's been working in Italy the youth teams have suddenly seen a big improvement

Italia Emergenti vs Netherlands tonight at 8pm local time (7pm UK)



Italy:
15 Michelangelo BIONDELLI (Fiamme Oro/Zebre Parma)
14 Edoardo MASTANDREA (Transvecta Calvisano)
13 Andrea DE MASI (Petrarca Padova)
12 Marco BROGGIN (Petrarca Padova)
11 Simone GESI (HBS Colorno)
10 Luca ZINI (Petrarca Padova)
9 Manfredi ALBANESE (Transvecta Calvisano)
8 Davide RUGGERI – Capitano (Femi-CZ Rovigo)
7 Alessandro IZEKOR (Transvecta Calvisano)
6 Enrico GHIGO (Petrarca Padova)
5 Nathaniel PANOZZO (Petrarca Padova)
4 Cristian STOIAN (Fiamme Oro/Zebre Parma, 1 cap)
3 Muhamed HASA (Petrarca Padova)
2 Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Petrarca Padova)
1 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Petrarca Padova)

A disposizione:

16 Giampietro RIBALDI (Rugby Viadana)
17 Emanuele LECCIOLI (Femi-CZ Rovigo)
18 Entienne SWANEPOEL (Femi-CZ Rovigo)
19 Nicola PIANTELLA (Femi-CZ Rovigo)
20 Matteo MEGGIATO (Mogliano Rugby 1969)
21 Lorenzo CITTON (Petrarca Padova)
22 Matteo MOSCARDI (Femi-CZ Rovigo)
23 Luca BORIN (Femi-CZ Rovigo)


Netherlands:
15 Te Haoura Campbell
14 Daan Van Der Avoird
13 Bartje Wierenga
12 David Weersma
11 Jordy Hop
10 Mees Van Oord
9 Hugo Scholler
8 Christopher Raymond
7 Spike Salman
6 Luoins Bruinsma
5 Monty Leverstein
4 Dennis Van Dijken
3 Lodi Bujis
2 Roberto Warendam
1 Jurian Joorna

A disposizione:

16 Odin Ruijgrok
17 Queremy Warendam
18 Evan Bloemers
19 Niels Roelfesma
20 Liam Stone
21 Dirk Wierenga
22 Aublix Tahwa
23 Rik Van Balkom
24 Lucas De Waaij
25 Daily Limmen

26-0 at half time

50-5 best try was actually the Dutch try

Italy team to face portugal:

15 Ange CAPUOZZO (Grenoble, 2 caps)
14 Jacopo TRULLA (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
12 Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
11 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)

10 Giacomo DA RE (FEMI-CZ Rovigo/Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
9 Alessandro FUSCO (Fiamme Oro Rugby/Zebre Parma, 6 caps)

8 Renato GIAMMARIOLI (Zebre Parma, 5 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps) – capitano
6 Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
5 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)
4 David SISI (Zebre Parma, 21 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 34 caps)
2 Epalahame FAIVA (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 20 caps)

A disposizione:
16 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
17 Cherif TRAORE’ (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
18 Ion NECULAI (Zebre Parma, esordiente)
19 Marco FUSER (Newcastle Falcons, 38 caps)
20 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
21 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)

22 Manfredi ALBANESE (Transvecta Calvisano, esordiente)
23 Marco ZANON (Pau, 12 caps)

Portugal team to face Italy

15 Nuno SOUSA GUEDES
14 Vincent PINTO
13 Jose LIMA
12 Tomas APPLETON (cap)
11 Rodrigo MARTA
10 Jeronimo PORTELA
9 Samuel MARQUES
8 Rafael SIMOES
7 Thibault FREITAS
6 Joao GRANATE
5 Josè MADEIRA
4 Steevy CERQUEIRA
3 Diogo HASSE-FERREIRA
2 Mike TADJER
1 Francisco FERNANDES

a disposizione
16 David COSTA
17 Nuno MASCARENHAS
18 Antonio PRIM
19 Duarte TORGAL
20 Jose REBELO DE ANDRADE
21 Duarte AZEVEDO
22 Rafaelle STORTI
23 Manuel CARDOSO-PINTO

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu Jun 23, 2022 11:50 am

Namibia RU posted a link on their FB to a live stream but doesnt seem to work (not for me anyway)

Italy apparently won 43-21

Italy beat portugal 38-31, it was pretty embarrassing

test

15 Ange CAPUOZZO (Grenoble, 3 caps)
14 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps) – capitano
13 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
12 Marco ZANON (Pau, 13 caps)
11 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
10 Tommaso ALLAN (Harlequins, 61 caps)
9 Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
8 Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
7 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
6 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
5 Marco FUSER (Newcastle Falcons, 39 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
2 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
1 Ivan NEMER (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)

A disposizione
16 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
17 Cherif TRAORE’ (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
18 Ion NECULAI (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)
19 David SISI (Zebre Parma, 22 caps)
20 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
21 Renato GIAMMARIOLI (Zebre Parma, 6 caps)
22 Manfredi ALBANESE (Transvecta Calvisano, 1 cap)
23 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 18 caps)

Romania:

1. Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua)
2. Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua)
3. Victor Leon (Colomiers)
4. Marius Iftimiciuc (Perigeux)
5. Marius Antonescu (USBPA)
6. Vlad Neculau (SCM USAMVB Timișoara)
7. Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua)
8. Mihai Macovei (Colomiers) (C)

9. Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USAMVB Timișoara)
10. Florin Vlaicu (SCM USAMVB Timișoara)
11. Adrian Apostol (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
12. Hinckley Vaovasa (CSA Steaua)
13. Taylor Gontineac (Rouen)
14. Mihai Lămboiu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
15. Marius Simionescu (CS Dinamo)

A disposizione:
16. Iulian Harțig (Club Alcobendas Rugby)
17. Alexandru Savin (SO Chambery)
18. Alexandru Gordaș (CS Dinamo)
19. Andrei Toader (CS Dinamo)
20. Kamil Sobota (CSA Steaua)
21. Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua)
22. Alexandru Bucur (SCM USAMVB Timișoara)
23. Sioeli Lama (CSA Steaua)

Italy A will play a friendly against Romania A on Saturday, A chance for some players to get a few minutes under their belt ahead of the 6N and to test out some youngsters

Italia A
15 Matteo MINOZZI (Benetton Rugby, 24 caps)
14 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
13 Giulio BERTACCINI (Valorugby Emilia)
12 Filippo DRAGO (Benetton Rugby)
11 Filippo LAZZARIN (Valorugby Emilia)
10 Giacomo DA RE (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
9 Manfredi ALBANESE (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
8 Giacomo FERRARI (Zebre Parma)
7 Ross VINTCENT (Exeter Chiefs)
6 Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps) – capitano
5 Alessandro ORTOMBINA (Valorugby Emilia)
4 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 2 caps)
3 Filippo ALONGI (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
2 Tommaso DI BARTOLOMEO (Petrarca Rugby)
1 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Petrarca Rugby)

A disposizione
16 Lapo FRANGINI (Benetton Rugby)
17 Emanuele LECCIOLI (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
18 Niccolò D’AMICO (Transvecta Calvisano)
19 Edoardo IACHIZZI (Vannes)
20 Alessandro IZEKOR (Benetton Rugby)
21 Davide RUGGERI (Zebre Parma)
22 Emilio FUSCO (Annonais)
23 Nicolò TENEGGI (Zebre Parma)
24 Damiano MAZZA (Zebre Parma)
25 Matteo MOSCARDI (Zebre Parma)
26 Giovanni MONTEMAURI (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)

Francois Mey is due to make his debut for ASM, he's one of 7 overseas based Italians playing in the champions cup this weekend

https://www.onrugby.it/2023/01/20/champ ... -clermont/

Menoncello's try vs SF

Izekor's try vs Romania A (actually it's the whole match I have just put that timestamp)

15 Ange CAPUOZZO (Stade Toulousain, 7 caps)
14 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 7 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)
12 Luca MORISI (London Irish, 39 caps)
11 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
10 Tommaso ALLAN (Harlequins, 66 caps)
9 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby, 15 caps)
8 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 21 caps) – capitano
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 40 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)

3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 40 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (London Irish, 25 caps)

A disposizione

16 Luca BIGI (Zebre Parma 42 caps)
17 Federico ZANI (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
18 Pietro CECCARELLI (Brive, 24 caps)
19 Edoardo IACHIZZI (Vannes, esordiente)
20 Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
21 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
22 Alessandro FUSCO (Zebre Parma, 5 caps)
23 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 40 caps)

Is Garbisi injured?

A lot of Italian names in that team!

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 12:52 pm Is Garbisi injured?

A lot of Italian names in that team!

Yes he is, but he may be available against England

Two Cents rugby did a video about number of foreign born players in each squad and Italy only had 6, however there's several players missing like Ioane, Halafihi, Nemer, Faiva who would be in the squad if available who would bump those numbers up