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Italy are targeting a spot in the Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarter Finals. Such an achievement would be a first for the Azzurri. Italy have competed at every Rugby World Cup but have been unable to advance to the play-off’s. Argentine import Juan Ignacio Brex notes that Italy have set the target of a Quarter Final this year.
“Our goal for the World Cup is the Quarter-Finals. We are aware of the difficulty of the challenge, but we are equally aware that we are a team capable of doing it. Obviously, first of all, we have to take it from one game to the next, one result at a time, because no match has already been won before it has been played, like unfortunately we have already learned in the past.”
Italy begin their on-field preparations on July 29. The Azzurri face Scotland away in Edinburgh. It will be followed by a match against Ireland in Dublin on August 05. The Italians then return home to prepare for two matches. Italy play host to Romania on August 19 in the Adriatic city of San Benedetto del Tronto and finish against Japan in Treviso on August 26.
Brex singles out Andrea Masi as altering his style of play. Masi played for Italy in four Rugby World Cups. His final appearance for Italy was against France at Rugby World Cup 2015. Brex and Italy take-on France in their pool at Rugby World Cup 2023.
“Personally I think I have grown a lot thanks to Andrea Masi. He helped me a lot in Treviso, he changed my style of play and then I was able to bring the skills I acquired here to the national team.”
Italy’s match order for the poo stage is relatively favorable. The Azzurri open against Namibia. The African country is the lowest ranked in the pool. Italy were big winners over Namibia at RWC 2019. Their RWC 2023 match will be in Saint-Étienne.
Italy’s second opponent will be Uruguay. Italy played host to Los Teros in November 2021. Uruguay earned respect in the 17-10 loss. Italy and Uruguay will square-off in Nice eleven days after Italy’s opening match.
The Italians must beat both Namibia and Uruguay. They will then need one more win. Their third match will be against New Zealand in Lyon. The September 29th match will be followed by Italy facing France at the same venue seven days later.
WORLD CUP WARM-UP – ITALY
Jul 29 
vs 
(Edinburgh, UK)
Aug 05 
vs (Dublin, IE)
Aug 12 vs 
(San Benedetto del Tronto, IT)
Aug 26 vs 
(Treviso, IT)
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 – ITALY
Sep 09 
vs (St. Etienne, FR)
Sep 20 
vs (Nice, FR)
Sep 29 
vs (Lyon FR)
Oct 06 
vs (Lyon, FR)
