Italy

It’s back to regularly scheduled programming as the Top 14 resumes with Week 9 on Saturday. Clermont is leading the pack but La Rochelle are hot on their heels and only marginally behind them are Montpellier, Toulon, and Bordeaux. This week will see about a dozen Americas players scattered about …

Through international competition rugby has expanded significantly. Over the duration of one generation there have emerged increasingly competitive teams from a variety of continents. Indeed Argentina, Japan and Georgia all lit up Rugby World Cup 2015. Yet many facets of rugby being an Old Boy’s Club remain strong. Few leading …

Sergio Parisse is back in the Italian squad ahead of the November test series. The Argentine-born Azzurri captain did not accompany new coach Conor O’Shea on Italy’s tour to the Americas in June, opting instead to rest with his workload being carefully managed in order to prolong his international career …

Japan 2019 will be the ninth Rugby World Cup. It will be the first of a kind though as Asia and the Tier 2 both have their first opportunity. Where to from there? The answer is France, Ireland, or South Africa. The three options for 2023 are a return to …

Argentine Head Coach Daniel Hourcade has slammed World Rugby’s 3-year residency rule. The man who took Argentina to fourth in a world a year ago has spoken out against what he deems to the be “misuse” of laws. It follows the confirmation that World Rugby will be setting up an …

San Francisco Rush standout Bill Fukofuka has been selected to the Tongan national side for their November test series. Now returned to the Southland Stags in the Mitre 10 Cup, the 21-year-old loose forward is one of 10 uncapped players named in the 30-strong group by head coach Toutai Kefu. …

In a stunning move the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has terminated its bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023. The decision was taken by the FIR and the Promoting Committee following consultation with the Italian Government and the Italian Olympic Committee. “Our candidature has always been strictly connected to the …

On this day in 2015 Canada pushed Italy to the limit. The Rugby World Cup 2015 match in Leeds, England saw Italy coming out 23-18 winners. With professional rugby Canada could be expected to win such close matches in the future. For both sides a loss would spell elimination at …

Guinness Pro 12 club Zebre have unveiled the arrival of a new Argentine player. 21-year-old uncapped Serafin Bordoli has joined the Italian city-side from Olivos in Buenos Aires. It was playing in the URBA Top 14 that caught the attention of Zebre. He has played more than 50 matches for …

World Rugby must act to change player eligibility rules immediately. It cannot allow for test match rugby to be tarnished any further. The sport is under attack at the highest level as unions are using the laws to their advantage to identity talent and nationalize players to, within three years, have …