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A constant in Rugby World Cup tournaments but a competitor yet to get beyond the group stage, Italy is a rugby country to always follow closely. The central Europeans have the drive and the potential to make RWC 2019 a breakthrough tournament for Italian rugby.
For a variety of factors Italy has not been able to come right on the world stage. From 1987-1995 the Italians were not realistically ready; in 1999 the same applies as does an unfavorable draw; in 2003 the Australian hosted event handed Italy an inexcusable match schedule; rain saw Italy fall at the last hurdle in 2007; while in RWCs 2011, and 2015 being drawn against two notably higher opponents saw Italy in trouble before the tournaments began.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
| RWC | FINAL PLACING | RESULTS |
| 1987 | Group Stage | Won vs Fiji Lost vs Argentina, New Zealand |
| 1991 | Group Stage | Won vs USA Lost vs England, New Zealand |
| 1995 | Group Stage | Won vs Argentina Lost vs England, Samoa |
| 1999 | Group Stage | Lost vs England, New Zealand, Tonga |
| 2003 | Group Stage | Won vs Canada, Tonga Lost vs New Zealand, Wales |
| 2007 | Group Stage | Won vs Portugal, Romania Lost vs New Zealand, Scotland |
| 2011 | Group Stage | Won vs Russia, USA Lost vs Australia, Ireland |
| 2015 | Group Stage | Won vs Canada, Romania Lost vs France, Ireland |
Overall record: Played 28, Won 11, Lost 17
RWC 2019 SCHEDULE
As mentioned above Italy were not fortunate in their draw for either New Zealand 2011 or England 2015. The same applies to Japan 2019. On the one hand the Italians are up against New Zealand, and South Africa – the two teams to have collectively won the past three RWC tournaments. On the other hand Italy has been handed an unfavorable match schedule.
Italy begin RWC 2019 against Namibia in Osaka. Although it is a gentle beginning it comes with a monumental decision to be made – whether to field Italy’s best line-up or not? With Italy facing Canada in Fukuoka a mere four days later it is very much a critical decision for the campaign.
For their second game Italy will travel over 600km south to face Canada. With limited time and tougher matches to follow, another complicated decision is required from the management. This does not apply to the third and fourth pool matches which both have adequate preparation time of eight days each.
| DATE | OPPONENT | VENUE |
| Sun, Sept 22 | Namibia | Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka |
| Thurs, Sept 26 | Canada | Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka |
| Fri, Oct 4 | South Africa | Ecopa Stadium, Shizuoka |
| Sat, Oct 12 | New Zealand | Toyota Stadium, Toyota |
PREDICTED TRAVELING 31
Forwards: Simone Ferrari (Benetton), Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton), Nicola Quaglio (Benetton), Cherif Traore (Benetton), Luca Bigi (Benetton), Ornel Gega (Benetton), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse, FR), Dean Budd (Benetton), Marco Fuser (Benetton), Federico Ruzza (Benetton), David Sisi (Zebre), Renato Giammarioli (Zebre), Maxime Mbanda (Zebre), Sebastian Negri (Benetton), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français, FR), Jake Polledri (Gloucester, UK), Braam Steyn (Benetton),
Backs: Edoardo Gori (Benetton), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre), Tito Tebaldi (Benetton), Tommaso Allan (Benetton), Carlo Canna (Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Wasps, UK), Tommaso Castello (Zebre), Luca Morisi (Benetton), Mattia Bellini (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton), Giulio Bisegni (Zebre), Matteo Minozzi (Wasps, UK), Edoardo Padovani (Zebre)
PREDICTED MATCH DAY 23
1 Cherif Traore, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 Federico Ruzza, 5 David Sisi, 6 Braam Steyn, 7 Jake Polledri, 8 Sergio Parisse (capt.), 9 Tito Tebaldi, 10 Tommaso Allan, 11 Mattia Bellini, 12 Luca Morisi, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 14 Giulio Bisegni, 15 Matteo Minozzi
Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Nicola Quaglio, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Dean Budd, 20 Sebastian Negri, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Carlo Canna, 23 Edoardo Padovani
Key Forward: Braam Steyn
Key Back: Luca Morisi
Talisman: Sergio Parisse
RWC 2019 PREDICTION
Italy were automatic qualifiers for RWC 2019. They won the right to compete in Japan 2019 based on finishing in the top three of their pool in RWC 2015.
In the years between RWC 2015 and 2019 Italy has not found the winning formula. Jacques Brunel returned to France with the Head Coaching role going to Irishman Conor O’Shea. He took Italy to a historic win over South Africa in November 2016. Otherwise wins have come against Fiji, Japan and Georgia. In the Six Nations O’Shea is winless as Head Coach.
Italy will defeat Namibia, and Canada but lose against South Africa and New Zealand. This will see a third place pool finish and automatic qualification for RWC 2023 in France.
