Italy Rugby Team

Italy Rugby Union Team

History of rugby in Italy

The men’s Italy rugby union team, known as “gli Azzurri” (The Blues in English), played their first international match against Spain in 1929.

However, the history of rugby in Italy starts as early as 1890 by British merchants in Genoa. Interest in the sport grew during the early decades of the twentieth century as rugby became a popular sport in northern Italy for students and workers returning from France where they had been exposed to the game.

Federazione Italiana Rugby was formed in 1928 to govern the game in the country, and they have been a member of World Rugby since 1987.

Italy rugby on the rise

The Italy rugby team have featured at every Rugby World Cup since 1987, but have yet to progress from the group stage.

An increasing fixture list and improving performances saw the Italy rugby team admitted into what is now the Guinness Six Nations in 2000. Their two professional domestic teams Benetton and Zebre are based in the Po Valley, often described as the heartland of Italian rugby.

Italy rugby legends

Although, Italy have yet to have any of its players inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame, legendary No.8 and former captain Sergio Parisse was shortlisted twice for the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2008 and 2013. With 142 appearances, Parisse also holds the Italian record for the most international caps.

Famous for their passionate rendition of the Il Canto degli Italiani (National Anthem of Italy) at matches and their proud scrummaging tradition, the Italy rugby team are not to be taken lightly.

Hospitality for Italy rugby matches

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