Italy national rugby union team

The Italy national rugby union team<ref>(Template:Langx)</ref> represents the Italian Rugby Federation in men's international rugby union. The team is known as gli Azzurri (the light-blues). Savoy blue is the common colour of the national teams representing Italy, as it is the traditional colour of the royal House of Savoy which reigned over the Kingdom of Italy from 1860 to 1946.

Italy has played international rugby since 1929, and for decades was considered one of the best European teams outside the Five Nations Championship. Since 2000, Italy has competed annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2013, they were holders of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy which is played annually between Italy and France. Italy is ranked 8th in the world by the IRB as of the 15th of July 2024.

Italian rugby rose to prominence in 2000 when it was added to the Five Nations, creating the Six Nations. Initially on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, the side grew in competitiveness, recording a fourth-place finish in 2007 and 2013, and one-sided defeats became less frequent. The Azzurri showed respectable results when playing at home in the early 2010s: they defeated France 22–21 in the 2011 Six Nations Championship; and during the 2013 Six Nations Championship, they again beat France 23–18,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> also securing a 13-13 draw in 2024 and defeating Ireland 22–15.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Italy has beaten Wales in 2003 Six Nations Championship, 2007 Six Nations Championship, 2022 Six Nations Championship, 2024 Six Nations Championship and 2025 Six Nations Championship, and securing a 18-18 draw in 2006 Six Nations Championship at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. In 2022 Six Nations Championship Edoardo Padovani scored a last minute try against Wales, to earn Italy their first win in 36 games, as well as their first away win against Wales and third away win in the tournament. Italy has also defeated Scotland in 2000 Six Nations Championship, 2004 Six Nations Championship, 2008 Six Nations Championship, 2010 Six Nations Championship, 2012 Six Nations Championship and 2024 Six Nations Championship at Stadio Olimpico, and in 2007 Six Nations Championship and in 2015 Six Nations Championship at Murrayfield. As of 2024 they have defeated at least once each 6 nations team, except England, for now.

Italy have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the first tournament in 1987, where Italy played the inaugural game against New Zealand, but they are yet to progress beyond the first round. The team has developed a reputation for being a consistent middle man at the tournament. Italy's results, since the inception of a new group stage formula in 2003, have consistently followed a pattern of two wins against Tier 2 teams and two losses against Tier 1 ones (although in 2019, the match against New Zealand was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis and a draw was awarded as result). The current head coach is Gonzalo Quesada and the captain is currently Michele Lamaro.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

Early history: 1911–34

The first match played by an Italian XV was in 1911 between US Milanese and Voiron of France. On 25 July of the same year the "Propaganda Committee" was formed which in 1928 became the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) (Italian Rugby Federation).

In May 1929, Italy played their first international losing 0–9 against Spain in Barcelona. In 1934, Italy was one of the founder members of FIRA, today's Rugby Europe; the others were France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Catalonia, Romania, Holland and Germany.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1945–85

File:Italy Rugby ITA - FRA 1975.jpg

Lineup of the Italy national rugby union team vs France, 1975

World War II meant a hiatus for Italian rugby union, as it did in other rugby-playing nations. Post-war, there was a desire to return to normal and Italian rugby union entered a new dimension thanks to the help of Allied troops in Italy.

In the 1970s and 1980s rugby union made enormous progress thanks to great foreign players (John Kirwan, Naas Botha, David Campese, Michael Lynagh) and coaches (Julien Saby, Roy Bish, Greenwood, Nelie Smith) in the Italian championship. Even foreign coaches were and continue to be chosen for the national team, like Bertrande Fourcade and Georges Coste. In 1973, the national team went on a tour of South Africa, coached by ex-Springbok prop Amos Du Plooey. Tours of England and Scotland followed, as well as games against Australia and New Zealand, the masters of their day. In 1978, Italy first played Argentina at Rovigo, winning 19–6.

1986–99

Since the mid-1980s, Italy had been pursuing the ambition of playing in an expanded Five Nations Championship. Consistently winning against nations that now play in the European Nations Cup (Romania, Spain, Georgia, etc.), and good results against the major nations such as France, Scotland, Wales and Ireland meant that they were often talked as strong candidates.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1986, Italy hosted an England XV squad in Rome, drawing 15–15. The Azzurri took part in the first-ever Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand on 22 May 1987. The match proved a one-sided affair with New Zealand convincing 70–6 winners against a young Italy side. John Kirwan, later to become the Italy national coach, scored one of the tournament's greatest-ever tries for the All Blacks. Italy beat Fiji but lost to Argentina and finished third in their pool, failing to make the finals. In 1988, they played Ireland for the first time.

At the 1991 World Cup, Italy were grouped in a tough pool with the likes of England and the All Blacks. They lost both of these games but beat the USA. Italy first played Wales in 1994. At the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, Italy came close to beating England; losing 20–27, but recovered to beat Argentina. They finished third in their pool again below England and Western Samoa, but above the Argentines.

File:Federazione Italiana Rugby.jpg

The current badge on the Italy jersey

The late 1990s saw the Italians build a formidable side and record Test victories over Five Nations opposition. In 1996, a deal between British Sky Broadcasting and the Rugby Football Union meant that England home games were exclusively shown on Sky. England were threatened with being expelled from the Five Nations to be replaced by Italy. This threat was never carried out as a deal was worked out.

In 1996, Italy toured England, Wales and for the first time Scotland, losing all matches. The team recorded two consecutive victories over Ireland in 1997; 37–29 on 4 January, at Lansdowne Road, and 37–22 on 20 December, in Bologna.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 22 March 1997 they recorded their first win over France, 40–32, (in Grenoble). In January 1998, Scotland were the victims with Italy winning 25–21 (in Treviso); in the same year in the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, they narrowly lost 15–23 against England at Huddersfield, but they argued for a try by Alessandro Troncon disallowed by the referee.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the 1999 World Cup, Italy were drawn with New Zealand for the third time and lost again. They did not win a single pool match and went home before the knock-out stage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Six Nations era: 2000–present

File:Camerapics file 2 the rugby game.jpg

Italy vs the New Zealand All Blacks at the San Siro with a record 80,000 sellout crowd, November 2009

Italy finally joined the Six Nations Championship in 2000 but their admission coincided with the departure of some of their best players. Nevertheless, they won their opening game against the reigning champions Scotland 34–20. Thereafter they struggled to compete against the other nations and their participation was called into question. The 2001 and 2002 tournaments were particularly disappointing as they did not win a single game. Coach Brad Johnstone was sacked in 2002 after an alleged show of 'player power'.

John Kirwan was then appointed coach. They managed to win their second Six Nations game in 2003, a 30–22 victory over Wales, thus avoiding the wooden spoon. They followed up by winning two games at the World Cup, another first. The tournament was, however, ultimately disappointing as the Welsh gained revenge with a 27–15 success. This, coupled with defeat against New Zealand, that meant that Italy were the only Six Nations country not to advance to the knock-out stage. Their third Six Nations win came against Scotland in 2004.

Italy, along with other nations, had made good use of IRB rules which allowed them to select foreign-born players if they had Italian ancestry or had lived in Italy for a qualifying period of three years. From 2004 they announced that they would only pick three such 'non-Italians' per team in order to develop their own domestic players.

In the 2005 Six Nations Italy finished bottom of the table again and failed to win a single game. Kirwan was sacked and replaced with Pierre Berbizier. Italy then went on a tour of Argentina where they surprised many by beating the Pumas 30–29 and drawing the series 1–1 (the only 2005 victory of a Northern Hemisphere team visiting a Southern Hemisphere team). However, the Pumas had their revenge when they visited Genoa and beat Italy 39–22.

File:2012-03-17 ITA - SCO Lineout.jpg

Italy contesting a lineout with Scotland during the 2012 Six Nations

In the 2006 Six Nations Championship Italy performed strongly against every team, leading against both England and France in the first half, but lost their first three games. They did, however, get a creditable 18–18 draw away to Wales, their first away point in the tournament, and were unlucky not to draw with Scotland in Rome in the final game, losing 10–13 courtesy of a late Scottish penalty.

In the 2007 Six Nations Championship, Italy started poorly, losing to France 3–39. However, Italy's performance improved, and they held England to a 20–7 result at Twickenham. Italy followed with a stunning start to their match at Murrayfield against Scotland, scoring three quick tries to give Italy a 21–0 lead after seven minutes, and the Azzurri went on to a 37–17 victory; their first-ever away win in the Six Nations. Italy's next match was against Wales in Rome, with Italy winning 23–20, for their first consecutive victories in the competition and help them achieve their highest-ever position in the competition. The domestic interest in rugby reached new heights with Italy's new success front page media coverage and the sport being held up as a model of fair play.<ref name=news>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Media and public interest in the national team was very high during the side's newfound success and on the final day a win could have seen them win their first ever six nations tournament. They needed a large win over ireland and other results to go their way. Italy were only 1 point behind at half time before they fell away in the 2nd half eventually losing 24-43.<ref name="news"/> Despite losing their last game 10,000 fans later greeted the national team at Rome's Piazza del Popolo.<ref name="news"/>

The 2008 Six Nations Championship saw Italy again finish in last place, albeit by only a three-point margin. They took part in close matches against Ireland, Wales England and France respectively and managed a sole victory, defeating Scotland 23–20 in Rome in the last round of matches.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the summer tests they lost to South Africa but again managed to surprise 3rd ranked Argentina with a 13–12 victory. At the 2008 end of year tour Italy pushed the Wallabies in their clash in Padova, but the Australians eventually went on to win 30–20. A week later Italy were defeated by Argentina, 14–22.

Italy's 2009 Six Nations campaign was ill-fated almost from the beginning, with both scrum-halves ruled out of the competition before a ball was kicked, and a third alternative ruled out of the opener at England due to injury. Head coach Nick Mallett tried flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrum-half. Mallett's gamble failed in epic fashion, with Bergamasco's mistakes leading to three England tries before he was replaced at half-time; England went on to win 36–11.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In week two Italy also put in a poor performance against Ireland losing 9–38.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The two poor performances were followed by another loss to Scotland. The Azzurri were competitive in their 15–20 loss at the Flaminio to a Wales side resting many of its key players for the championship decider against Ireland the next week.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Italy finished in last place for the second straight year after losing to France on the final weekend of the tournament.

In the 2010 Six Nations Championship, Italy were well beaten by Ireland 11–29 before narrowly losing to England and defeating Scotland.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Italy were defeated in their last two matches against France and Wales.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

File:Fans from Messina on their way to Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.JPG

Italian fans on their way to see Italy play Scotland at Murrayfield in the Six Nations Championship, 2013

Italy finished the 2011 Six Nations with a 1–4 record. In the opening match of the 2011 Six Nations, Italy was beaten by Ireland 11–13 at home, with Ireland scoring a drop goal less than two minutes before the final whistle. The Azzurri claimed a 22–21 home victory over the reigning Six Nations champions, France, gaining Italy's first win over France in a Six Nations game.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> At the final whistle, the English language commentator declared it the greatest win in Italian rugby history thus far.

Italy finished the 2012 Six Nations in fifth place with a 1–4 record, following a 13–6 win over Scotland before over 72,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Italy's 15–19 loss to England was their smallest margin of defeat. The championship also saw Italy lose to Wales, Ireland and France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Italy played three matches in the 2012 November internationals, losing two and winning one. Italy lost to New Zealand and Australia 19–22, with Italian fly half Luciano Orquera missing a penalty in the last minute which would have secured Italy's first draw against Australia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Italy did manage a win in the series, beating Tonga 28–23.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Italy gained their second Six Nations win over France when they beat them 23–18 on their opening match of the 2013 Six Nations Championship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Three defeats by Scotland, Wales and England followed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On their final game of the championship Italy won against Ireland 22–15 for the first time in a Six Nations match in front of 75,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Overall Italy finished fourth,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> behind Scotland in third on points difference, to make it one of their most successful Six Nations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2013, Italy hosted Australia at Turin for a 20–50 loss, then defeated Fiji 37–31 at Cremona and was defeated by Argentina 14–19 at Rome.

Italy were whitewashed at the 2014 Six Nations Championship, including a 20–21 home loss to Scotland, a 7–46 loss to Ireland and an 11–52 loss to England. In June the team made an Asia-Pacific tour, where they were defeated by Fiji, Japan and Samoa. In November they scored a home win to Samoa, a two-point loss to Argentina and another loss to South Africa.

In the 2015 Six Nations Championship, Italy took a 22–19 away win over Scotland to avoid the wooden spoon, but suffered heavy home losses to France and Wales. At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, they defeated Romania and Canada but lost to Ireland and France, repeating their performance of the previous three editions.

After another poor performance in 2016, losing all their Six Nations matches, Italy hired former Ireland international and Harlequin F.C. coach Conor O'Shea to coach the team; with him they also hired IRFU developmental director Stephen Aboud to direct youth programs aimed at strengthening the level of rugby in the country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In June, Italy lost to Argentina and won over the United States and Canada. On 19 November, Italy achieved a famous upset victory by defeating South Africa 20–18 which was Italy's first win against the Springboks in 13 attempts at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This victory also marked their first win over one of the three big Southern Hemisphere nations (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa).

Italy lost all their matches in the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Six Nations tournaments.

In their final match of the 2022 Six Nations Championship, Italy earned a historic victory over Wales, snapping a 36 match losing streak.<ref name="WAL ITA 2022">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They scored a try in the 80th minute with the conversion being the final act in the match as Les Blues went on to win by a single point (22–21), at the Principality Stadium on 19 March 2022.<ref name="WAL ITA 2022"/>

During the autumn tour in November 2022, Italy claimed 2 victories over 3 matches, defeating both Samoa and Australia (28–27), claiming their first ever victory over the Wallabies.

Italy put in a fine performance in the 2024 Six Nations Championship, pulling off a remarkable 13–13 draw away from home against France in round three.<ref name="FRA ITA 2024">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Italy narrowly missed out on victory when Paolo Garbisi's penalty hit the post after the ball had accidentally fallen off the kicking tee.<ref name="FRA ITA 2024"/> The following round, Italy beat Scotland 31–29.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This was Italy's first victory against Scotland in nine years and 12 years after their last victory on Italian soil against a British side. The 2024 campaign was Italy's best performance since the 2013 tournament during which they won two matches, against the French and then the Irish. These feats are all the more impressive given that Italy were pummelled by France at the last World Cup, and narrowly missed out on beating England in their opening match (24–27 defeat in Rome). Italy rounded off their tournament with a last-gasp victory over Wales (24–21), as they did 2 years ago, and for the first time since 2015 avoided last place. The win also represents the Italians' 4th away victory in the history of the competition, the 2nd time at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but above all it gives Gonzalo Quesada's men their best result since the integration of Italy 24 years earlier (2 wins and a draw for only 2 defeats).

The 2025 Six Nations Championship was more complicated for Italy, who won just one match, at home to Wales (22–15), and lost every other game, including a very heavy home defeat to France, winners of the competition (24–73), the heaviest defeat in their history at home to Les Bleus. Nonetheless, the home win over the Leekhorns enabled the Gli Azzurri to avoid last place in the standings and the wooden spoon for the 2nd year running, at the expense of the Welsh.

Wins against 'tier-one' teams

Wins against Tier 1 nations have included:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Date	Home	Score	Away	Place	Competition
24 October 1978	Template:Ru-rt	19–6	Template:Nowrap	Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo	1978 Argentina tour of Great Britain, Ireland and Italy
6 May 1995	Template:Ru-rt	22–12	Template:Ru	Stadio comunale di Monigo, Treviso	1995 Ireland tour of Italy
4 June 1995	Template:Ru-rt	25–31	Template:Ru	Buffalo City Stadium, South Africa	1995 Rugby World Cup
3 January 1997	Template:Ru-rt	29–37	Template:Ru	Lansdowne Road, Dublin	1997 Italy tour of Ireland
22 March 1997	Template:Ru-rt	32–40	Template:Ru	Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble	1995–1997 FIRA Trophy
20 December 1997	Template:Ru-rt	37–22	Template:Ru	Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna	1997 Ireland tour of Italy
24 January 1998	Template:Ru-rt	25–21	Template:Ru	Stadio comunale di Monigo, Treviso	1998 Scotland tour of Italy
7 November 1998	Template:Ru-rt	23–19	Template:Ru	Stadio Comunale Beltrametti, Piacenza	1998 Argentina tour of Europe
5 February 2000	Template:Ru-rt	34–20	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2000 Six Nations Championship
15 February 2003	Template:Ru-rt	30–22	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2003 Six Nations Championship
6 March 2004	Template:Ru-rt	20–14	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2004 Six Nations Championship
11 June 2005	Template:Ru-rt	29–30	Template:Ru	Estadio Olímpico, Córdoba	2005 Italy tour of Argentina
24 February 2007	Template:Ru-rt	17–37	Template:Ru	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	2007 Six Nations Championship
10 March 2007	Template:Ru-rt	23–20	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2007 Six Nations Championship
15 March 2008	Template:Ru-rt	23–20	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2008 Six Nations Championship
28 June 2008	Template:Ru-rt	12–13	Template:Ru	Estadio Olímpico, Córdoba	2008 Italy tour of Argentina and South Africa
27 February 2010	Template:Ru-rt	16–12	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2010 Six Nations Championship
12 March 2011	Template:Ru-rt	22–21	Template:Ru	Stadio Flaminio, Rome	2011 Six Nations Championship
17 March 2012	Template:Ru-rt	13–6	Template:Ru	Stadio Olimpico, Rome	2012 Six Nations Championship
3 February 2013	Template:Ru-rt	23–18	Template:Ru	Stadio Olimpico, Rome	2013 Six Nations Championship
16 March 2013	Template:Ru-rt	22-15	Template:Ru	Stadio Olimpico, Rome	2013 Six Nations Championship
28 February 2015	Template:Ru-rt	19–22	Template:Ru	Murrayfield, Edinburgh	2015 Six Nations Championship
19 November 2016	Template:Ru-rt	20–18	Template:Ru	Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence	2016 Autumn International
19 March 2022	Template:Ru-rt	21–22	Template:Ru	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff	2022 Six Nations Championship
12 November 2022	Template:Ru-rt	28–27	Template:Ru	Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence	2022 Autumn International
26 August 2023Template:Efn	Template:Ru-rt	42–21	Template:Ru	Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso	2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up match
9 March 2024	Template:Ru-rt	31–29	Template:Ru	Stadio Olimpico, Rome	2024 Six Nations Championship
16 March 2024	Template:Ru-rt	21–24	Template:Ru	Millennium Stadium, Cardiff	2024 Six Nations Championship
21 July 2024Template:Efn	Template:Ru-rt	14–42	Template:Ru	Sapporo Dome, Sapporo	2024 Summer International
8 February 2025	Template:Ru-rt	22–15	Template:Ru	Stadio Olimpico, Rome	2025 Six Nations Championship

Furthermore, Italy drew 18–18 with Argentina in Lourdes, France on 22 October 1997, 18–18 with Wales in Cardiff on 11 March 2006, and 13–13 with France in Villeneuve d'Ascq on 25 February 2024.

Stadium and attendance

Before joining the Six Nations in 2000 Italy did not have a set stadium and played their home matches in various stadiums around Italy. From 2000 to 2011 Italy played all of their home Six Nations matches at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced, in January 2010, that the stadium would undergo an expansion, that will increase its capacity to 42,000.<ref name="upgrade">Template:Cite news</ref> Continued delays to the start of construction meant that the revamp could not be completed in time for the 2012 Six Nations so all of Italy's home Six Nations games were moved to the Stadio Olimpico, also in Rome.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The expansion of the Stadio Flaminio was originally promised to be complete by 2014. It was planned that upon completion of the renovation, the team would move back to the Stadio Flaminio,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however little was achieved and as of September 2016 the stadium was still in a state of abandoned disrepair.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> More Italians are attending rugby union games and whereas before most of the fans at the Stadio Flaminio were away fans.Template:Citation needed Since moving to the Stadio Olimpico attendances have increased by huge numbers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Italy has drawn large crowds since 2008, particularly for Six Nations matches and for matches against New Zealand:

File:2012-11-17 ITA-NZL Olympic Stadium.jpg

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome, current home of the Italian rugby team

Highest attended home matches

Rank	Attendance	Opponent	Date	Venue
1	80,074	New Zealand	14 November 2009	San Siro (Milan)
2	80,054	Ireland	16 March 2013	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
3	73,526	Wales	23 February 2013	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
4	73,000	New Zealand	17 November 2012	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
5	72,354	Scotland	17 March 2012	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
6	71,257	England	15 March 2014	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
7	70,000	England	14 February 2016	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
8	69,800	Scotland	9 March 2024	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
9	68,981	Ireland	15 March 2025	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
10	67,529	France	3 February 2013	Stadio Olimpico (Rome)

Strip

Italy traditionally plays in blue jerseys, white shorts and blue stockings at home. Its away uniform consists of a uniform with the inverted colours. Both uniforms have on the chest the Scudetto, even if until the 1990s the non-test Italian teams had the coat of arms of the Maritime republics on the jersey.

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt sponsor
1981–1989	Adidas	None
1990–1993	Lotto<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1991 Rugby World Cup
1993–1995	Gilbert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation		CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995 Rugby World Cup
1996–1997	Reebok
1997 European Nations Cup
1998–1999	None
1999	Cotton Oxford
2000 Six Nations – 2000 mid-year internationals	Canterbury	Alliance UniChem
2000 end-of-year internationals – 2002 mid-year internationals	Kappa
2002 end-of-year internationals – 2006 end-of-year internationals		Jaguar
2007 Six Nations championship – 2012 mid-year internationals		Cariparma
2012 end-of-year internationals – 2017 mid-year internationals	Adidas
2017 end-of-year internationals – 2018 mid-year internationals	Macron
2018 end-of-year internationals – 2021 end-of-year-internationals		Cattolica Assicurazioni
2021 end-of-year internationals –		Suzuki
2022 Six Nations Tournament –		Bitpanda
2022 end-of-year internationals		Vittoria Assicurazioni

Awards

Competition	Template:Gold1	Template:Silver2	Template:Bronze3	Total
Olympic Games	0	0	0	0
Rugby World Cup	0	0	0	0
European Nations Cup	1	9	8	18
Total	1	9	8	18

Record

Overall

Template:World Rugby Rankings Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by an Italy national XV at test level up until 15 March 2025.

Opponent	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %	For	Aga	Diff
Template:Ru	24	5	18	1	{{#expr:5/24*100 round 2}}%	417	644	−227
Template:Ru	19	1	18	0	5.26%	279	658	−379
Template:Ru	2	0	2	0	0.00%	36	75	−39
Template:Ru	2	2	0	0	100.00%	75	0	+75
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	25	−13
Template:Ru	1	1	0	0	100.00%	17	0	+17
Template:Ru	10	8	2	0	80%	294	135	+159
Template:Flagicon Catalonia	2	1	0	1	50%	10	8	+2
Template:Ru	1	0	1	0	0.00%	6	15	−9
Template:Ru	1	1	0	0	100.00%	76	11	+65
Template:Ru	1	1	0	0	100.00%	104	8	+96
Template:Ru	12	10	1	1	83.33%	266	62	+204
Template:Ru	32	0	32	0	0.00%	404	1,271	−867
Template:Ru	1	0	0	1	0.00%	15	15	+0
Template:Flagicon England B	1	0	1	0	0.00%	9	21	−12
Template:Flagicon England U23	3	1	1	1	33.33%	31	42	−11
Template:Ru	12	6	6	0	50.00%	282	275	+7
Template:Ru	50	3	46	1	{{#expr:3/50*100 round 2}}%	596	1,601	−1,005
Template:Ru	30	1	28	1	3.33%	289	751	−462
Template:Flagicon France Espoirs	1	0	1	0	0.00%	18	21	−3
Template:Ru	4	3	1	0	{{#expr:3/4*100 round 2}}%	98	84	+14
Template:Ru	6	2	4	0	33.33%	27	54	−27
Template:Ru	38	4	34	0	{{#expr:4/38*100 round 2}}%	555	1,354	−799
Template:Ru	10	8	2	0	{{#expr:8/10*100 round 2}}%	325	181	+144
Template:Noflag	3	2	1	0	66.66%	55	46	+9
Template:Ru	2	2	0	0	100.00%	26	15	+11
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	28	−16
Template:Ru	8	6	2	0	75.00%	184	52	+132
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	24	28	−4
Template:Ru	5	3	2	0	60.00%	174	104	+70
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	3	23	−20
Template:Ru	4	4	0	0	100.00%	178	27	+151
Template:Ru	17	0	17	0	0.00%	168	992	−824
Template:Ru	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	18	−6
Template:RuA	1	0	1	0	0.00%	13	30	−17
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	31	−19
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	11	12	−1
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	6	30	−24
File:Flag of rugby Pacific Islanders.svg Pacific Islanders	1	0	1	0	0.00%	17	25	−8
Template:Ru	7	6	1	0	85.71%	165	49	+116
Template:Ru	13	11	1	1	84.62%	371	102	+269
Template:Ru	44	25	16	3	56.81%	711	654	+57
Template:Ru	5	5	0	0	100.00%	283	76	+207
Template:Ru	9	3	6	0	{{#expr:3/9*100 round 2}}%	183	225	−42
Template:Ru	38	9	29	0	{{#expr:9/38*100 round 2}}%	641	990	−349
Template:RuA	3	1	2	0	33.33%	51	55	−4
Template:Ru	3	3	0	0	100.00%	60	22	+38
Template:Ru	16	1	15	0	6.25%	195	764	−569
Template:Ru	14	4	9	1	28.57%	171	165	+6
Template:Ru	27	23	3	1	85.19%	581	187	+394
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	12	39	−27
Template:Noflag	1	0	1	0	0.00%	7	16	−9
Template:Ru	6	4	2	0	{{#expr:4/6*100 round 2}}%	190	96	+94
Template:Ru	3	3	0	0	100.00%	60	19	+41
Template:Ru	5	5	0	0	100.00%	154	74	+80
Template:Ru	5	5	0	0	100.00%	147	52	+95
Template:Ru	34	5	28	1	{{#expr:5/34*100 round 2}}%	546	1,126	−580
Template:Ru	14	13	0	1	92.86%	226	69	+157
Template:Ru	3	3	0	0	100.00%	70	25	+45
Total	563	204	344	15	{{#expr:204/563*100 round 2}}%	9,960	13,577	–3,617

Six Nations

Italy entered the International Championship in 2000 when it became the Six Nations, and made a positive start by winning their debut match 34–20 against Scotland. They finished fifth in 2003 above Wales in the final standings, having defeated them 30–22, and were again fifth the following year above Scotland, after beating them 20–14. In 2006, Italy drew with Wales 18–18 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Italy's first three Six Nations match victories, in 2000, 2003, and 2004, had been in front of a home crowd at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. However, on 24 February 2007, they defeated Scotland 37–17 at Murrayfield for their first away win in the competition. Two weeks later, they defeated Wales for the second time, 23–20 back in Rome. This was the first time that Italy had won two of their five games in the championship, and they finished the 2007 Six Nations Championship in fourth place.

Italy won the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy for the first time in 2011 with a close-fought 22–21 victory over France. Two years later, they lifted the trophy for a second time by defeating France 23–18. Italy also recorded a first Six Nations victory over Ireland in 2013, beating them 22–15, and equalling their best finish of fourth place in the final standings. On 28 February 2015, Italy achieved their second away win against Scotland, a tight 22–19 victory, and after a 36-match losing streak they won in Wales for the first time on 19 March 2022 by 22–21. Italy put in their best performance of the 2024 6 Nations tournament, with 2 wins (31–29 at home against Scotland, to win the Cuttitta Cup, and 24–21 away against Wales) and a draw (13–13 away against France).

Template:As of, Italy have won 16 Six Nations matches: 8 of these against Scotland, 5 against Wales, two against France and one against Ireland. England is the only team that Italy have yet to beat in the championship.

Year	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Tooltip	Template:Flag	Template:Flag	Template:Flagicon IRL	Template:Flag	Template:Flag
2000	6th	1	0	4	106	228	-122	L	L	L	L	W
2001	6th	0	0	5	106	207	-101	L	L	L	L	L
2002	6th	0	0	5	70	183	-113	L	L	L	L	L
2003	5th	1	0	4	100	185	-85	L	L	L	W	L
2004	5th	1	0	4	42	152	-110	L	L	L	L	W
2005	6th	0	0	5	55	179	-124	L	L	L	L	L
2006	6th	0	1	4	72	125	-53	L	L	L	D	L
2007	4th	2	0	3	94	147	-53	L	L	L	W	W
2008	6th	1	0	4	74	131	-57	L	L	L	L	W
2009	6th	0	0	5	49	170	-121	L	L	L	L	L
2010	6th	1	0	4	69	137	-68	L	L	L	L	W
2011	6th	1	0	4	70	138	-68	W	L	L	L	L
2012	5th	1	0	4	53	121	-68	L	L	L	L	W
2013	4th	2	0	3	75	111	-36	W	L	W	L	L
2014	6th	0	0	5	63	172	-109	L	L	L	L	L
2015	5th	1	0	4	62	182	-120	L	L	L	L	W
2016	6th	0	0	5	79	224	-145	L	L	L	L	L
2017	6th	0	0	5	50	201	-151	L	L	L	L	L
2018	6th	0	0	5	92	203	-111	L	L	L	L	L
2019	6th	0	0	5	79	167	-88	L	L	L	L	L
2020	6th	0	0	5	44	178	-134	L	L	L	L	L
2021	6th	0	0	5	55	239	-184	L	L	L	L	L
2022	6th	1	0	4	60	181	-121	L	L	L	W	L
2023	6th	0	0	5	89	149	-60	L	L	L	L	L
2024	5th	2	1	2	92	126	-34	D	L	L	W	W
2025	5th	1	0	4	106	188	-82	L	L	L	W	L
Overall		16	2	112	1,906	4,424	-2518	2–1–23	0–0–26	1–0–25	5–1–20	8–0–18

Rugby World Cup

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Italy Rugby World Cup record

Italy have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the competition's inception in 1987. Italy finished third in their pool at their first World Cup, defeating Fiji, but not making the finals. They did not make the finals in 1991, grouped in a tough pool with England and the All Blacks. At the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, they finished behind England and Western Samoa, but above Argentina in their pool.

In 1999 they did not make the finals, with their defeats by the All Blacks and Tonga. Italy won two pool games at the 2003 World Cup, defeating both Canada and Tonga, but lost to the All Blacks and Wales. Italy played the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Pool C, against New Zealand, Scotland, Romania and Portugal (who had been beaten 83–0 by Italy in the qualifiers), with the goal of reaching the quarter finals for the first time. However, in the crucial group match against Scotland, Italy were undone by indiscipline. Chris Paterson kicked all of Scotland's points in an 18–16 victory, despite Italy crossing the line for the game's only try.

European championships

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Before 2000, Italy was one of the leading European teams outside the Five Nations, along with Romania, and for a while the USSR.

Italy competed in the original European Championships from 1936 to 1938, but World War II meant that the tournament would not resume until 1952. Italy then competed in these tournaments from 1952 to 2000. Italy achieved only one victory, the 1995–97 FIRA Trophy.

Team	First place	Second place	Third place
Template:Ru	1	9	8

Thirties wins

Year	Host city	Winner	Second place	Third place
1936	Berlin	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1937	Paris	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big

The fifties: the European Cup, Italian positions

Year	Winner	Second place	Third place
1952	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1954	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big

The Nations Cup 1966–73

Year	Winner	Second place	Third place
1965/1966	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1966/1967	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1969/1970	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big

The FIRA Trophy 1974–97

Year	Winner	Second place	Third place
1974/1975	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1975/1976	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1976/1977	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1979/1980	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1981/1982	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1982/1983	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1983/1984	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1984/1985	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1990/1992	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1992/1994	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big
1995/1997	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big	Template:Ru-big

Players

Current squad

On 28th January, Italy named a 34-player squad for the 2025 Six Nations Championship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Head coach: Template:Flagicon Gonzalo Quesada

• Caps updated: 15 March 2025 vs Ireland

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Award winners

World Rugby Awards

The following Italy players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:<ref name="World Rugby Award winners">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-break

World Rugby Player of the Year

Year	Nominees	Winners
2008	Sergio Parisse	—
2013	Sergio Parisse (2)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year

Year	Nominees	Winners
2022	Ange Capuozzo	Ange Capuozzo

Six Nations Player of the Championship

The following Italy players have been shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship since 2004:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3

Six Nations Player of the Year (2004–07)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2004	Martin Castrogiovanni	—
	Andrea de Rossi
	Sergio Parisse
2005	Marco Bortolami
	Alessandro Troncon
2006	Mirco Bergamasco
	Ramiro Pez
2007	Marco Bortolami (2)
	Carlos Nieto

Six Nations Player of the Year (2008–14)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2008	Sergio Parisse (2)	—
2009	Sergio Parisse (3)
2011	Andrea Masi	Andrea Masi
	Fabio Semenzato
2012	Sergio Parisse (4)	—
2013	Andrea Masi (2)
	Sergio Parisse (5)
	Alessandro Zanni
2014	Leonardo Ghiraldini

Six Nations Player of the Year (2015–24)

Year	Nominees	Winners
2015	Sergio Parisse (6)	—
2016	Sergio Parisse (7)
2017	Sergio Parisse (8)
2018	Matteo Minozzi
2024	Tommaso Menoncello	Tommaso Menoncello
2025	Tommaso Menoncello (2)	—

Six Nations Team of the Championship

Year	Forwards		Backs		Total
	Template:Abbr	Players	Template:Abbr	Players
2024	7.	Michele Lamaro	12.	Tommaso Menoncello	2
2025	—		12.	Tommaso Menoncello (2)	1

Six Nations Try of the Championship

Year	Nominee	Match	Winner	Template:Abbr
2023	Pierre Bruno	vs. Ireland	—	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2024	Lorenzo Pani	vs. Wales	Lorenzo Pani	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2025	Ross Vintcent	vs. England	—	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaches

Current coaches

• Template:Flagicon Gonzalo Quesada (Head Coach)
• Template:Flagicon Richard Hodges (Defence)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Template:Flagicon Andrea Moretti (Forwards)
• Template:Flagicon Philippe Doussy (Skills)
• Template:Flagicon Germán Fernández (Breakdown)

Coaching history

Name	From	To	P	W	D	L	% W/P
Template:Flagicon Arnaldo Cortese Template:Flagicon John Thomas	20 May 1929	–	1	0	0	1	0
Template:Flagicon Arturo Cameroni Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi	29 May 1930	–	1	1	0	0	100
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi	1 November 1932	26 December 1934	4	3	0	1	75
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Julien Saby	26 December 1934	7 April 1935	1	1	0	0	100
Template:Flagicon Julien Saby	7 April 1935	14 May 1936	2	0	0	2	0
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Michel Boucheron	14 May 1936	16 May 1936	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Julien Saby	1 January 1937	17 October 1937	5	2	1	2	40
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi	6 March 1938	20 November 1938	1	0	0	1	0
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Giuseppe Sessa	20 November 1938	19 March 1940	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Romano Bonifazi	19 March 1940	9 February 1941	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Franco Chiaserotti	9 February 1941	2 May 1942	–	–	–	–	–
Template:Flagicon Luigi Bricchi Template:Flagicon Franco Chiaserotti	2 May 1942		1	1	0	0	100
Template:Flagicon Tommaso Fattori	18 May 1947	27 March 1949	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Giorgio Briasco Template:Flagicon Antonio Radicini	27 March 1949	26 February 1950	2	0	0	2	0
Template:Flagicon Romano Bonifazi	26 February 1950	29 July 1950	–	–	–	–	–
Template:Flagicon Francesco Vinci	29 July 1950	4 October 1950	–	–	–	–	–
Template:Flagicon Renzo Maffioli	4 October 1950	25 February 1951	–	–	–	–	–
Template:Flagicon Renzo Maffioli Template:Flagicon Julien Saby	25 February 1951	1 August 1954	9	6	0	3	66.7
Template:Flagicon Piermarcello Farinelli Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici Template:Flagicon Umberto Silvestri	1 August 1954	22 December 1956	8	5	0	3	62.5
Template:Flagicon Giulio Fereoli Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici Template:Flagicon Umberto Silvestri	22 December 1956	8 December 1957	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Sergio Barilari Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici Template:Flagicon Umberto Silvestri	8 December 1957	19 July 1958	1	0	0	1	0
Template:Flagicon Sergio Barilari Template:Flagicon Mario Battaglini Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici	19 July 1958	10 April 1960	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Sergio Barilari Template:Flagicon Romano Bonifazi	10 April 1960	22 April 1962	4	2	0	2	50
Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici	22 April 1962	8 December 1965	7	2	0	5	28.5
Template:Flagicon Sergio Barilari Template:Flagicon Mario Martone	8 December 1965	28 October 1967	7	3	1	3	42.8
Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici	28 October 1967	24 May 1970	8	7	0	1	87.5
Template:Flagicon Giordano Campice	24 May 1970	25 October 1970	2	2	0	0	100
Template:Flagicon Sergio Barilari	25 October 1970	10 April 1971	3	0	0	3	0
Template:Flagicon Guglielmo Geremia	11 April 1971	27 May 1971	1	0	0	1	0
Template:Flagicon Aldo Invernici	28 May 1971	19 February 1972	–	–	–	–	–
Template:Flagicon Umberto Levorato	20 February 1972	25 November 1972	4	1	2	1	25
Template:Flagicon Gianni Villa	26 November 1972	14 February 1975	20	6	1	13	30
Template:Flagicon Roy Bish	15 February 1975	1º April 1977	15	8	1	6	53.3
Template:Flagicon Isidoro Quaglio	2 April 1977	1º May 1977	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Gwyn EvansTemplate:Cn	23 October 1977	23 October 1978	5	1	1	3	20
Template:Flagicon Pierre Villepreux	24 October 1978	24 October 1981	24	10	1	13	41.6
Template:Flagicon Paolo Paladini Template:Flagicon Marco Pulli	25 October 1981	9 November 1985	28	16	2	10	57.14
Template:Flagicon Marco Bollesan	10 November 1985	4 November 1988	19	7	1	11	36.8
Template:Flagicon Loreto Cucchiarelli	5 November 1988	29 September 1989	7	1	0	6	14.3
Template:Flagicon Loreto Cucchiarelli Template:Flagicon Bertrand Fourcade	29 September 1989	31 December 1989	2	1	0	1	50
Template:Flagicon Bertrand Fourcade	1 January 1990	30 August 1993	27	16	0	11	59.3
Template:Flagicon Georges Coste	31 August 1993	19 June 1999	48	19	1	28	39.6
Template:Flagicon Massimo Mascioletti	20 June 1999	19 November 1999	5	2	0	3	40
Template:Flagicon Brad Johnstone	20 November 1999	26 April 2002	27	5	0	22	18.5
Template:Flagicon John Kirwan	27 April 2002	18 April 2005	32	10	0	22	31.3
Template:Flagicon Pierre Berbizier	19 April 2005	30 September 2007	30	12	1	17	40
Template:Flagicon Nick Mallett	3 October 2007	30 October 2011	42	9	0	33	21.4
Template:Flagicon Jacques Brunel	1 November 2011	31 May 2016	50	11	0	39	22.0
Template:Flagicon Conor O'Shea	1 June 2016	17 November 2019	26	6	0	19	23.08
Template:Flagicon Franco Smith	21 November 2019	19 May 2021	13	0	0	13	0
Template:Flagicon Kieran Crowley	19 May 2021	31 December 2023	27	10	0	17	37
Template:Flagicon Gonzalo Quesada	1 January 2024	present	16	6	1	9	37.5

Updated 15 March 2025

Player records (career)

Most caps

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Won	Lost	Draw	%
1	Sergio Parisse	Number 8	2002–2019	142	139	3	83	16	35	106	1	25.00
2	Martin Castrogiovanni	Prop	2002–2016	119	91	28	60	12	30	88	1	25.63
3	Alessandro Zanni	Flanker	2005–2020	118	92	26	20	4	31	86	1	26.92
4	Marco Bortolami	Lock	2001–2015	112	92	20	35	7	29	82	1	26.33
5	Leonardo Ghiraldini	Hooker	2006–2020	107	84	23	25	5	20	87	0	18.86
6	Mauro Bergamasco	Flanker	1998–2015	106	90	16	75	15	30	76	0	28.30
7	Andrea Lo Cicero	Prop	2000–2013	103	79	24	40	8	32	70	1	31.55
8	Alessandro Troncon	Scrum-half	1994–2007	102	95	7	95	19	34	67	1	33.82
9	Andrea Masi	Fullback	2000–2015	95	82	13	65	13	23	72	0	24.21
10	Mirco Bergamasco	Wing	2002–2012	89	82	7	256	17	22	66	1	25.28
	Luke McLean	Fullback	2008–2017	89	75	14	74	7	18	71	0	20.22

Last updated: Italy vs Ireland, 15 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.<ref name="espn.co.uk">ESPN, Italy Player Records, 19 September 2015Template:Dead link, Espn.com</ref>

Most tries

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Marcello Cuttitta	Wing	1987–1999	55	55	0	115	26	0	0	0
2	Paolo Vaccari	Wing	1991–2003	65	64	1	112	23	0	0	0
3	Carlo Checchinato	Number 8	1990–2004	84	74	10	105	21	0	0	0
	Manrico Marchetto	Wing	1972–1981	43	39	4	84	21	0	0	0
5	Alessandro Troncon	Scrum-half	1994–2007	102	95	7	95	19	0	0	0
6	Mirco Bergamasco	Centre	2002–2012	89	82	7	256	17	12	49	0
	Serafino Ghizzoni	Wing	1977–1987	60	59	1	77	17	0	0	3
	Massimo Mascioletti	Wing	1977–1990	54	54	0	68	17	0	0	0
9	Ivan Francescato	Centre	1990–1997	38	38	0	77	16	0	0	0
	Monty Ioane	Wing	2020-	39	39	0	80	16	0	0	0
	Sergio Parisse	Number 8	2002–2019	142	139	3	83	16	0	0	1

Last updated: Italy vs Ireland, 15 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most points

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Start	Sub	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half	1991–2003	74	73	1	983	9	127	208	20
2	Tommaso Allan	Fly-half	2013–	86	64	22	554	15	95	90	1
3	Stefano Bettarello	Fly-half	1979–1988	55	54	1	483	7	46	104	17
4	Luigi Troiani	Fullback	1985–1995	47	47	0	294	2	57	57	0
5	Ramiro Pez	Fly-half	2000–2007	40	33	7	260	4	33	52	6
6	Mirco Bergamasco	Centre	2002–2012	89	82	7	256	17	12	49	0
7	Paolo Garbisi	Fly-half	2020-	47	45	2	241	4	43	45	0
8	Luciano Orquera	Fly-half	2004–2015	48	27	21	154	3	20	31	2
9	David Bortolussi	Fullback	2006–2008	16	15	1	153	1	35	25	1
10	Carlo Canna	Fly-half	2015–2021	53	28	25	152	5	20	26	3

Last updated: Italy vs Ireland, 15 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only. <ref name="espn.co.uk"/>

Most matches as captain

#	Player	Pos	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Draw	%	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop
1	Sergio Parisse	Number 8	2008–2019	93	18	75	0	19.35	68	13	0	0	1
2	Marco Bortolami	Lock	2002–2014	39	14	24	1	37.17	35	7	0	0	0
3	Massimo Giovanelli	Flanker	1992–1999	38	15	22	1	39.18	15	3	0	0	0
	Michele Lamaro	Flanker	2020-	38	15	22	1	30	10	2	0	0	0
5	Marco Bollesan	Number 8	1968–1975	37	15	20	2	43.24	21	6	0	0	0
6	Massimo Cuttitta	Prop	1993–1999	22	10	12	0	45.45	15	3	0	0	0
7	Alessandro Troncon	Scrum-half	2000–2007	21	7	14	0	33.33	25	5	0	0	0
8	Marzio Innocenti	Flanker	1985–1988	20	7	12	1	37.50	8	2	0	0	0
9	Alessandro Moscardi	Hooker	2000–2002	19	4	15	0	21.05	5	1	0	0	0
10	Ambrogio Bona	Prop	1978–1981	18	9	9	0	50.00	4	1	0	0	0

Last updated: England vs Italy, 9 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Player records (single match)

Most points in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Stefano Bettarello	Fly-half	29	1	2	5	2	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Toronto	1 July 1982
	Andrea Scanavacca	Fly-half		1	3	6	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Makarska	6 June 1998
	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half		0	1	6	3	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Rome	5 February 2000
	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half		0	4	7	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Treviso	10 November 2001
5.	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half	28	1	7	3	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Calvisano	21 May 1994
6.	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half	27	1	2	6	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Bologna	20 December 1997
7.	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half	25	0	5	5	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Tarbes	26 October 1997
	Pierpaolo Rotilio	Wing	25	5	0	0	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Brescia	1 November 1997
9.	Luigi Troiani	Fly-half	24	0	12	0	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Viadana	18 May 1994
	Diego Domínguez	Fly-half		0	0	8	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Catania	1 October 1994
	Mirco Bergamasco	Wing		0	0	8	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Modena	27 November 2010

Last updated: Italy vs Argentina, 9 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Most tries in a match

#	Player	Pos	Pts	Tries	Conv	Pens	Drop	Opposition	Venue	Date
1.	Pierpaolo Rotilio	Wing	25	5	0	0	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Brescia	1 November 1997
2.	Renzo Cova	Wing	12	4	0	0	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Paris	10 October 1937
	Ivan Francescato	Centre	20		0	0	0	Template:Ru	Template:Flagicon Carcassonne	19 June 1993
4.	16 players on 3 tries

Last updated: Italy vs Argentina, 9 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

See also

• Italy A national rugby union team
• Italy national rugby league team
• Top12
• United Rugby Championship

External links

• Federazione Italiana Rugby official site

Template:Italy national rugby union team {{#invoke:Navbox|navbox}} Template:Six Nations Championship Template:National rugby teams Template:Italian national teams