30 January 2012
By David van der Merwe
The Azzurri has taken part in every World Cup tournament. They have never reached the quarter finals of the World Cup but have managed on 3 occasions to win 2 group matches. This was in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Notably all three times are after their admission to the 6 Nations in 2000.
It took Italy 20 years to become part of the Six Nations. They started campaigning in 1980 and were admitted in 2000. This came after their good performance against the teams now playing in the European Nations Cup and the occasional win over teams like Ireland, Wales, Scotland and France.
Italy's first six Nations game was against Scotland, then reigning champions, in 2000. Italy won the game 34-20 but lost all the games after that. In 2001 and 2002 they couldn't win a game. 2003 saw the Azzurri beat Wales and go on to win two World Cup group games, the first time they could do this. In 2004 they went on to beat Scotland, but 2005 saw them without a win again.
In 2006 Italy performed strongly in the 6 Nations. They had narrow losses to France and England leading in the first half of both games. After a 3rd loss to Ireland they drew 18-18 against Wales away from home. Then Scotland beat them 10-13 in Rome after a late penalty.
2007 started with a big loss against France, but they held England to a 20-7 score line. They went on to beat Scotland 37-17 and Wales 23-20 giving them their highest place ever in Six Nations rugby. From 2008 to 2010 they once again finished last in the Six Nations.
Italy started off the 2011 season with a narrow 11-13 loss to Ireland after a missed conversion could have seen them drawing the game. They went on to beat France, the reigning champions of 2010, by 22-21. Their first win over France in the Six Nations and the first in 31 tests and winning the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy for the first time. Since then their coach Nick Mallet has moved on.
Italy Squad for 2012:
Tommaso D'Apice Hooker 3caps
Leonardo Ghiraldini Hooker 41caps
Martin Castrogiovanni Prop 82caps
Lorenzo Cittadini Prop 8caps
Alberto de Marchi Prop 0caps
Andrea Lo Cicero Prop 91caps
Michele Rizzo Prop 2caps
Marco Bortolami Lock 88caps
Quintin Geldenhuys Lock 25 caps
Antonio Pavanello Lock 5caps
Cornelius Van Zyl Lock 6caps
Mauro Bergamasco Flanker 88caps
Paul Derbyshire Flanker 16caps
Simone Favaro Flanker 6caps
Alessandro Zanni Flanker 58caps
Robert Barbieri Number 8 16caps
Sergio Parisse (c) Number 8 83caps
Edoardo Gori Scrum-half 9caps
Fabio Semenzato Scrum-half 8caps
Kristopher Burton Fly-half 9caps
Luciano Orquera Fly-half 27caps
Gonzalo Canale Centre 72caps
Luca Morisi Centre 0caps
Roberto Quartaroli Centre 3caps
Alberto Sgarbi Centre 14caps
Tommaso Benvenuti Wing 12caps
Angelo Esposito Wing 0caps
Giulio Toniolatti Wing 8caps
Giovanbattista Venditti Wing 0caps
Andrea Masi Fullback 64caps
Luke McLean Fullback 33caps
Captain Sergio Parisse and coach Jacques Burnel will have their work cut out for them in the 2012 Six Nations. They have very limited experience in the back line and the average age of the team is 30 years plus. However do not write the Italians off. They stand a good chance of beating Scotland and might just upset teams like France and Ireland. That they will finish in the bottom two positions is unfortunately a given.
Records for Italy:
Individual:
Most selections:
Alessandro Troncon – 101
Andrea Lo Cicero – 89
Marco Bortolami – 87
Most tries:
Marcello Cuttitta – 25
Paolo Vaccari – 22
Carlo Checchinato – 21
Most points:
Diego Dominguez – 983
Stefano Bettarello – 483
Luigi Troiani – 294
Team:
First international:
Spain 9 – 0 Italy 
(20 May 1929)
Largest win:
Czech Republic 8 – 104 Italy 
(18 May 1994)
Largest defeat:
South Africa 101–0 Italy 
(19 June 1999)
World Cup:
Appearances
6 (First in 1987)
Best result:
Two wins during pool stages, 2003, 2007 and 2011
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How well do you think Italy will do in the 2012 tournament? Get discussing by posting a comment below!
