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Italy will be coached by former Puma Gonzalo Quesada. The 49-year-old will take charge of Italy after Rugby World Cup 2023. Quesada’s contract will be for four years of international activities. Quesada will coach Italy from 2024-2027.
Current Head Coach Kieran Crowley will be replaced after Rugby World Cup 2023. Crowley coached Italy to a 28–27 win over Australia in November 2022 and a 22-21 away win over Wales in the 2022 Six Nations.
Gonzalo Quesada will take the helm of Italy after a long career of playing at coaching at the top. Quesada has As a player, Quesada played profession la rugby in France for Narbonne, Béziers, Stade Français, Pau and Toulon from 2000-2007.
Quesada was France assistant coach from 2008-2011 before being assistant coach of Racing 92 in 2011-2011 and then Head Coach of the same club from 2012-2013. From 2013-2017 he was Head Coach of Stade Français, seeing the club to the Top 14 title in 2015.
In 2017 Quesada moved south to Biarritz to take control of the Pro D2 club. After one season he departed, freeing up the possibility of a return to Argentina after 19 years in France. He coached Los Jaguares to the 2019 Super Rugby Final.
After Los Jaguares exit from Super Rugby, Quesada returned to France for a second stint coaching Stade Français from 2020-2023. He had offers from Lyon, Montpellier and Perpignan but has landed the Italian job.
Prior to moving to France as a player Quesada literally took the RWC by storm. In RWC 1999 he was the top point scorer. His 102 points were crucial in Argentina’s campaign which included Quesada scoring 27 points in the win Samoa, 21 against Japan, and 23 against Ireland. This culminated in a first ever appearance in a Quarter Final which saw Argentina eliminated by eventual finalists, France.
Like many of the RWC 1999 Pumas, the tournament was a springboard into professionalism with Quesada beginning his career in France after capturing great interest. Quesada’s test debut had come in 1996. He earned his first cap against the USA with his final one coming in Adelaide, Australia in RWC 2003. In total he would earn 38 caps for Argentina, scoring 486 points.
His country recognized his importance as Quesada won the 1999 Olímpia de Oro. The illustrious award officially made him Argentina’s greatest sportsperson of the year. The only other rugby players to win the award are Hugo Porta in 1985, and Bernardo Otoño in 1965.
Highlights of his career went beyond appearing in two Rugby World Cups. Prior to RWC 2003 he scored 20 points in a home win over France in Buenos Aires. His goal-kicking was crucial in Argentina winning 33-32.
