Arrivederci Italy

[justintime]

In my opinion the Italians have brought little to this tournament over the past decade. I proffered the 5 nations and would love that to return , however I am not sure about whether there could be a swap out condition to replace them with another nation that would actually turn up to play on the day.. Just my thoughts after the England game...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o>
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[dangandan]

you couldn't just dump italy out of the six nations unless them and france along with the home nations agreed to a relegation system. don't know how that would work.. rugby still isn't big enough for many countries to be competitive at the top level so swapping in another team wouldn't work. either way i'd have to disagree that they haven't brought anything over the last decade. they have improved in massive leaps and bounds from when they were first introduced and are now able to beat the likes of scotland while also nearly beating ireland last weekend. how else is rugby going to grow if other nations like italy aren't given equal competition.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Italy deserved their place in the competition when they entered. The regularly outclassed Ireland and unless I'm mistaken had no trouble with Scotland either. Their problem is that their "golden generation" were old by the time they were admitted to the tournament.

I'll agree that at present Italy add very little to the competition. By allowing Treviso and Aironi into the Magners League, more Italian players will be exposed to a better standard and that will improve Italy's 6 Nations performances. While Italy have been disappointing for the last decade, dropping them now would set the sport in that country back too far. Given a couple of seasons of ML participation, the Italian national team should be more competitive.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Just because they lose to England at Twickenham? Well, maybe we can just regard Australia as a crap team then too. Come on. Italy almost beat Ireland last week which isn't a weak side

 

[The Juice]

I believe that Italy has earned there place in the Six Nations and if they were to be kicked out it would be a big step back for International Rugby. Rugby needs countries like Italy to help it grow otherwise it will just stay at the same level and will not be able to evolve into a true International Sport.

 

[gingergenius]

For everyone who says Italy bring nothing:

1. They usually beat either Scotland or Wales. They usually push the other teams hard, at least at home.

2. It's not just them who contribute 'nothing' - when has a decent Scottish side ever been in the 6 nations?

3. They improve, gradually, every year - maybe not in results but certainly in depth and grassroots structure.

4. For fans, a trip to Rome is a cracking away weekend.

5. If rugby ever wants to expand, helping Italy out for 10 years and then dumping them out would seriously damage any future for European rugby outside of the old 5 Nations (only 4 of whom have a secure rugby base).

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I think that adding Treviso and Aironi to the Magners League will give them a new edge to develop as well.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agree with everything GG said

Just because they got a hammering today doesn't mean they should be kicked out,
Italy ARE slowly getting better, today was a setback yes, but I fully expect them to get at least one win this tournament - whether they sneak past Ireland or beat Scotland I don't know,
Should we kick out Scotland because they're 0/2 now?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

The Italians will take another 4 years or so to really develop because lets face it load of there players are close to retirement now, but with Treviso and Arioni in the Magners it's only going to expose Italians to a better standard of rugby thus there should be a better developer of talent.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Excuse me.
Italy doesn't have the best team but there are plenty of reason to watch their games:
1) When you look at their history ( before entering the 6 N) they had some success and quality players.
2) They ended fourth in the 6 N in 2007
3) They participated in every RWC and took one or two wins in the first round ( they always are in a though group)
4) Even now they have quality players like: Castrogiovanni, Bergamasco bro's, Parisse, delappe, Masi, Canale ( who all play abroad)
5) Mauro Bergamasco is injured, but they still give them selves 100%

Every time they are a proud team that never gives up, this is something the top teams could learn from.
And last but not least, there fans keep on supporting them, so I'm proud to have the Azzuri shirt.

 

[Teh Mite]

If Italy had a real coach instead of that clown Mallett I reckon they'd be a lot stronger at present.

Try to remember they are still a small rugby nation with 2 "top-level" teams and very limited resources. As already pointed out, they have several results to their name against Argentina, Wales and Scotland. They've in the past also pushed France and England close. Let's not forget they were 2 minutes away from victory over the Irish last week n'all. They're well worth their value and do add positives to the Six Nations. What should be done to make the bigger there is having them host a World Cup and then put in a strong performance. Once the Italian people embrace rugby like how the Argentine public did, the sky's the limit.

 

[Amobokoboko]

They will have a new coach, the current coach of Montpellier ( if I'm correct) after the RWC. So I'm expecting big things for next years 6 N.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Didn't it take France something like fifty years to win their first championship? Rugby is a game that takes time to develop. However, with the interest and finance that being part of the 6N has generated, coupled with having clubs competing at a higher level, Italy should start to make some progress over the next decade.

 

[nickdnz]

Totally stupid and pointless thread. In 1999 New Zealand beat Italy 101-3. In their last encounter New Zealand beat Italy 20-6, with a crowd of 81,000 watching. You're right, they're clearly a lost cause, get rid of them.

 

[Charles]

They will have a new coach, the current coach of Montpellier ( if I'm correct) after the RWC. So I'm expecting big things for next years 6 N.

Perpignan actually, Jacques Brunel who was Laporte's assistant coach in the French squad. Won a Brennus (T14 ) with Perpignan in 2009 as well. Good coach, we'll see what he can do with Italy.

 

[no-1-rugby-fan]

I can't believe that anyone would want Italy kicked out of this competition. They have added a lot to this year's Six Nations, especially with their fantastic home ground and passionate fans, no one expects an easy game their any more. Checked out their scrum and kicking game as well? Seen their league? Calvisano aren't a bad team. They've become far more competitive in recent years and how are they supposed to get better if they're not allowed to take their place at the highest level.

They're in this competition through merit and what right does anyone have to question that? I argue a similar case with Bangladesh in cricket. You can't just say you want Italy out on the basis of one bad day in the office against England and boy were they unlucky not to beat Ireland!

 

[peter alien]

you couldn't just dump italy out of the six nations unless them and france along with the home nations agreed to a relegation system. don't know how that would work.. rugby still isn't big enough for many countries to be competitive at the top level so swapping in another team wouldn't work. either way i'd have to disagree that they haven't brought anything over the last decade. they have improved in massive leaps and bounds from when they were first introduced and are now able to beat the likes of scotland while also nearly beating ireland last weekend. how else is rugby going to grow if other nations like italy aren't given equal competition.

said... and done

 

[ckell]

It would be an awful decision to get rid of the Italians, and there is no chance of it happening anyways. They've beaten Scotland a few times and they beat Wales once aswell. One day, they will beat England, France or Ireland too...

 

[gho]

Good points made about how Aironi and benneton treviso will help the italian side.
I really hope that SANZAR realise this with Argentina and give them a super rugby side

I've got no how idea how theyre going to fit them into the conference system, it really makes expansion difficult.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

If the Super Rugby competition is expanded with a team outside SANZAR, the whole conference format will end up in the trash with a new flat format league