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Italy will get their Quilter Autumn Nations Series underway on Saturday when they take on Australia in Udine.
The Azzurri then face South Africa in Turin, the third time they have faced each other this year, and then close out their autumn campaign against Chile in Genoa.
Traditionally at this time of year, Italy have been happy to win one match and point to good periods against teams ranked higher than them, but with a recent victory over Australia and improved performances in the Six Nations, has the time come for Gonzalo Quesada’s side to set their sights a little higher?
Get Ange Running
There is no doubt that Ange Capuozzo is box office. It has been three years since his debut, which he marked with two tries against Scotland, and his follow-up act, a performance for the ages against Wales.
Since then, he has enjoyed some memorable moments, but he hasn’t quite been the force we would have hoped. Part of that can be explained by Italy facing higher ranked teams most of the time, but also it is a question of where to use him.
His broken field running from fullback is impressive and line-breaking, but his size means he is an obvious target for high, hanging kicks and endless chasers, hence why Tommaso Allen has been used in the 15 shirt. On the wing though he is often isolated and doesn’t have as many chances to attack.
It means he and Quesada need to come up with a way of using him to attack off his wing more, because he is Italy’s biggest threat and not using him is a waste.
Todaro Unleashed
Hands up who had heard of Edoardo Todaro before this season? Alright Northampton Saints fans, put your hands down. Having played in the World Rugby U20 Championship this summer, he was thrust into Gallagher PREM Rugby by the Saints and hasn’t looked back with four tries in five appearances.
Such were his performances that Quesada had no problem picking him for Italy, and there is every chance he will make his debut this autumn.
Wing is one of Italy’s strongest positions, even if Paolo Odogwu is again out with injury. Capuozzo and Lorenzo Pani can play across the back three, and Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane are more experienced out and out wingers.
Still, it would be a waste not to use him at some point, and their third test against Chile would present a gentler introduction to international rugby than a hurt Australia or rampant South Africa. That said, Quesada has shown with some of his selections that there is no time like the present to find out what a player can offer.
Land Some Blows
Two of Italy’s most memorable results came against Australia and South Africa. In 2022 they recorded their first win over Australia with a 28-27 victory in Florence, while in 2016 they recorded a maiden defeat of South Africa, 20-18 in Florence. Makes you wonder why the renaissance city isn’t permanently booked up for their biggest opponents of the autumn.
Australia’s loss to England means they will be hurting, and desperate to get what had once looked like being a memorable year back on track before they face Ireland and France in subsequent weekends. Italy will need to start strongly and quickly, because they have shown things can unravel fast when a higher ranked team builds up a head of steam.
South Africa will bring back memories of their two-match series in June. Italy played well in the first test and lost 42-24, but the Boks trampled over them in the second to lose 45-0. Most of that team will be involved again, and they have to put up a stronger showing when the Springboks apply the pressure.
Getting the pack back towards the levels it used to find when the likes of Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Martin Castrogiovanni, and Sergio Parisse were in their pomp would be a start and the likes of Niccolo and Lorenzo Cannone, Sebastian Negri, Ross Vintcent, and Michele Lamaro have shown that they can mix it when they have to.
Italy have been around the top tier long enough and have players of sufficient quality to make losing to nil unacceptable.
Avoid The Banana Skin
Chile made a lot of friends with their style of play at the last World Cup, and with their place at the 2027 edition booked, they will be using the next two years to build up their resources and experience and look for a statement win to demonstrate their progress.
Italy in their third match will be a marker of Chile’s progress, and Quesada is likely to blood a few of the less experienced faces but also keep an eye on how their maintain their focus and concentration to the end of the series.
The Azzurri have a habit of taking a step backwards soon after taking a big one forward. The win over Wales in 2022 quietened talk of a Guiness Men’s Six Nations relegation playoff against Georgia, but they failed to quieten that talk completely when they lost to them later that year.
Win against Chile in Genoa and Quesada will have achieved the minimum expected of him. Lose, and a whole line of questions will come his way.
