ANSA 03/10/2026

ANSA - Rugby: Italy eye best-ever Six Nations after taking England's scalp

Azzurri have chance to win three games in tournament for first time

After taking England's scalp for the first time ever with Saturday's 23-18 victory in Rome on Saturday, Italy are looking to beat Wales in Cardiff next weekend to register their best-ever showing in the Six Nations since joining the tournament in 2000.
    The Azzurri, who also beat Scotland in Rome in their opening match, have never previously won more than two matches in the Six Nations in the same year.
    Their best previous showing was when they won two matches and drew one in 2024, which was the first year under Gonzalo Quesada.
    The Argentine coach has won plaudits for turning around the fortunes of Italy, who were facing calls to be ejected from the Six Nations for not being competitive enough only a few years ago.
    "All week we told ourselves one thing: that we had to dream," centre Tommaso Menoncello, who was Saturday's MVP after scoring one try and helping create another, said after the historic triumph.
    "We had to believe that this feat was achievable, concrete.
    "We took to the field with ferocious determination, determined to turn those words into action, and in the end we managed to bring it home.
    "It's an indescribable feeling.
    "We're a great team, and this isn't the result of a single tournament, but of work that began years ago and is finally bearing fruit.
    "But beware: it's not over yet.
    "The next match against Wales, on their home turf, will be incredibly tough.

 

We'll have to work even harder to be ready".
    Wales have lost all their matches so far this year.

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA