Italy

Often the success or failure of an international coach comes down to how his team performed on the grandest stage of them all, the Rugby World Cup. Negative results in previous months or even years are often forgiven in exchange for delivering memorable victories when it matters most. Differing Judgement …

A popular topic of debate heading into the World Cup is that of eligibility, particularly that resulting from the residency method. Americas Rugby News takes an in-depth look at the foreign-born players in each squad, where they were born and how they are eligible. An interesting fact – only Argentina …

Just a week away from the biggest show in the rugby-verse, let’s take a look at some of the interesting numbers for you trivia-minded folk heading into the Rugby World Cup. BIGGER IS BETTER There will be some seriously tall timber on display during the tournament. Five players top 205cm …

Italy have called up Benetton Treviso centre Enrico Bacchin to replace clubmate Luca Morisi on their World Cup roster. Morisi injured a knee in Saturday’s warm-up test match against Wales. Bacchin, 22, was a standout for both San Donà and Mogliano in the Italian domestic league before being selected for …

Members of Italy’s World Cup roster Gonzalo Garcia and Luca Morisi underwent tests today to determine the extent of their injuries suffered on Saturday playing a warm-up match in Cardiff against World Cup sub-hosts Wales. Exams showed that Luca Morisi suffered a second degree medial collateral ligament injury in his …

Welsh rugby is in mourning following the loss of Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb from the Rugby World Cup. The nation’s home match against Italy on Saturday saw both first choice players stretchered off in what was a massive blow to Welsh changes and to the tournament itself. Also hurt …

Following international matches this weekend the Final World Rankings have been posted before the Rugby World Cup. Confirmed as the world’s top four are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England in that order. This means that only Pool D lacks a side ranked among the best heading into the …

The 2015-2016 Guinness Pro 12 season starts today with three league matches involving Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams. The remaining three opening round matches are to be played tomorrow. In previous years the Celtic-Italian League has been an important part of preparing players from the Americas for international duty. The …

Italian winger Angelo Esposito has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup and has been replaced by a back-rower with the surprisingly excluded Simone Favaro now set to play in the tournament. Favaro had initially been excluded because of ‘injury’, but competed in Canada with Glasgow Warriors on Saturday …

Paul O’Connell will captain Ireland at the upcoming Rugby World Cup it was confirmed today. The former Munster and now Toulon second-rower is to play in his fourth Rugby World Cup but this will be his first without the retired Brian O’Driscoll. O’Connell will lead a 31-man squad featuring 17 …