What to Expect from Italy in the 2023 Six Nations
In June 2022, we posted a blog discussing the improvement of Italy and their win over Wales to finish off the 2022 Six Nations on a high note, as well as their growing staple of young and exciting talent and their recent age grade success. Well, Italy went out and one upped themselves with a great display in the Autumn Nations Tournament last year.
They went 4-2 in their Autumn Nations and warm up matches. They defeated qualified World Cup teams Portugal, Romania, and Samoa by a combined margin of 142-61 (a 47-20 average score) while also managing a famous win over Australia. While they managed good wins, we need to acknowledge their stumbles and shortcomings. They did drop a match to Georgia, but that could be attributed more to the recent surge of Georgian Rugby, as the Lelos also defeated Wales in Cardiff shortly after. Additionally, they had a mostly forgettable performance against South Africa losing 21-63.
Their victory over Australia only came by one point but they did so without their first choice fly-half, Paolo Garbisi, highlighting their much improved depth at key positions. The Samoa win is even better when put into context. Samoa were coming off a Pacific Nations campaign where they went undefeated over Fiji, Tonga, and a strong Australia A side, and brought home the trophy. Samoa followed up their loss to Italy by immediately defeating Georgia in Tbilisi, and an impressive 22-0 battering of Romania in Bucharest. In their game against South Africa, Italy was able to keep the match close for a half with the score being 13-18 heading into the break. The loss to Georgia should be viewed more as a celebration for Georgia, rather than a major setback for Italy, as it was in the hostile and electric environment of Tbilisi, and Georgia proved their prowess was no fluke in defeating Wales.
Now, Italy are heading into the 2023 Six Nations brimming with confidence and are hungry to prove themselves further. They have a somewhat favorable draw, they will play France at home before travelling to Twickenham and then hosting Ireland and Wales, with their final match being in Scotland. Wales and Scotland are games that they should be targeting so having them come on the backend could be beneficial, as we saw them get better game by game last year.
While there are some important omissions, such as Monty Ioane, who is taking some time off from international duty ahead of the World Cup warmups, and the likes of Sisi, Lucchesi, Garbisi, and Halafihi ruled out through injury, Crowley has named a strong squad for the European showpiece. Garbisi will only miss the first few rounds and is still a part of the greater squad. In the past, these missing players would’ve been devastating for Italy, but, as we touched on earlier, they have built quality depth the last few seasons as their union has made marked improvements to compete with the other Six Nations squads.
Italian Squad to Participate in the 2023 Six Nations
The fact that Italy have two, experienced quality international fly-halves to choose from with Garbisi and Allen, is the main piece of evidence that they are a much improved team top to bottom. Perhaps their best position groups are their backrow and back three. In the loose forwards they have called up Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, and the long awaited returnee, Jake Polledri. That is quite a group especially when considering that Toa Halafihi and Braam Steyn are not here.
And their outside backs are even more star studded, being highlighted by World Rugby Breakout Player of the Year, Ange Capuozzo. Alongside the magician are the likes of Pierre Bruno, Edoardo Padovani, Matteo Minozzi, and the versatile Tommaso Menoncello. Capuozzo is the big star here, but not long ago Minozzi was the up and coming young Italian back with a beautiful running game. He has been out of action for a bit but will be looking to make an impact, probably off the bench. Imagine either switching Capuozzo out for Minozzi to put his fresh legs to use against a tired defense, or having the two line up together to give defense’s endless headaches, though undersized two backs may give their own defense a few headaches with some limited physicality.
Elsewhere in the squad, veteran locks Niccolo Cannone and Frederico Ruzza will be looking to provide some beef in the engine room while Iachizzi and Favretto will act as their understudies, ready to earn their first caps. Prop depth looks improved with the return of Marco Riccioni from prolonged injury, starting to see a theme here with stars returning from injury. He should partner well with Fischetti and Niccotera in the front row. Brex, Morisi, Menoncello, and Lucchin will be manning the midfield, while Varney, Fusco, and the younger Garbisi will be providing fast ball to their forward pack.
Italy in their win over Australia
So, what is Italy going to do this year? They have a lot going for them: improved depth, renewed confidence, and continuity. England and Wales just changed their coaching staffs, while both have capable coaches at the helm, it usually takes some time to gel as a team, even with the past familiarity of Gatland. Italy are coming in with the same staff that has gotten them to this point, that should count in their favor. While Italy have never beaten England, they have defeated Wales three times and Scotland seven times, since joining the Six Nations. They historically perform the best against these two squads in this competition, and while they have only defeated Gatland’s team once, it did come in his first season, so there is a possibility of history repeating itself.
This team could win two matches against Scotland and Wales, just as easily as they could win none, but that is more than can be said of the team in years past. Regardless of what the number is that appears in their win column, expect Italy to be more competitive across the board compared to last season, especially if returning stars Polledri, Minozzi, and Riccioni can return to their past form.
