In front of the mustache of the former Italian coach Jacques Brunel, in Beziers, among the mythological capitals of French rugby, Massimo Brunello’s Under 20s rewrote history with a victory that we will not forget: at the Raoul Barrière stadium packed with 15 thousand faithful, Italy won imposes 20-23 by roughing up where it hurts most (the melee) the French who are, an insignificant detail, world champions for three editions in a row. What’s more: since the Six Nations category existed, the Italians had come within a hair’s breadth of it several times, but they had never managed to overturn the prediction which also considered them losers tonight.
INSIGHTS
And instead they dominated the match thanks to a devastating pack and a rocky defense: a spectacular match.
L’Equipe began the piece with “Mattered by the Italian power, the Bleuets…”
Now, if they keep their heads there, these Italians can also overcome Scotland and Wales in the final days and aim for third place in the Tournament, confirming last year’s luxurious result obtained thanks to two victories and bonus points. And at the same time they would repeat the record of three victories (England, Scotland and Wales) which in 2022, due to the difference between points scored and conceded against the English, only resulted in fourth place.
You understand that these are lunar discussions for the senior national team who face France today in Lille hoping to take less than in Lyon in the autumn when they finished 60-7.
And then there is the coach Massimo Brunello, the “Schinca” from Rovigo, who led the Under 20 into unknown lands for the rest of the movement: with his boys year after year, when the “handle” is there, he has beaten England twice, France tonight, and then Scotland, Wales and even South Africa.
Let’s hope someone remembers this sooner or later. How should the names and surnames of these boys, yesterday superior in technique, tactics and physique to the French, many of whom already play in the first team, be written on marble, so that in a couple of years we can see how the their path towards adult rugby, towards franchises and towards the national team. Not everyone can get there, but neither can too many be lost along the way. Brunello, starting from a ridiculous base compared to that of his opponents, for years has been minting gold coins that fill a trunk, then after a few years he finds himself with a purse.
Last night Casilio scored with cunning, Scalabrin with strength (three tries in two games) and captain Botturi by steering a melee that advanced like an icebreaker on the ice floe. And Pucciariello hit from the pitch. But really yesterday all the Italians gave a lesson in how to win a match even when the situation seems to be worsening. Well done.
The meter
DEVASTATING MIX ???? @SixNationsU20#ItalrugbyU20 #Together #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/784dKiscFu
— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 23, 2024
3 tries in 2 games for Scalabrin ????@SixNationsU20#ItalrugbyU20 #Together #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/KwGcCarTkO
— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 23, 2024
The scoreboard
Beziers, Stade Raoul Barriere, 23 February 2024
Six Nations U20 – Third Day
France U20 v Italy U20 20-23 (8-13)
Markers: pt 5′ m. Casilio (0-5); 10′ cp. Cotarmanac’h (3-5); 18′ cp. Pucciariello (3-8); 20′ m. Zamora (8-8); 24′ m. Scalabrin (8-13). St 2′ cp. Pucciariello (8-16); 4′ m. Granell (13-16); 21′ m. Brau Boirie tr. Cotarmanac’h (20-16); 30′ st. m. Botturi tr. Pucciariello (20-23)
Italy U20: Belloni; Scalabrin, Zanandrea (32′ st. De Villiers), Bozzo, Elettri; Pucciariello, Casilio (35′ st. Jimenez); Botturi (Cap.), Bellucci, Zucconi; Gritti, Mirenzi (5′ st. Milan); Gallorini (23′ st. Ascari), Siciliano (17 st. Gasperini), Pisani (23′ st. Pelliccioli)
all. Massimo Brunello
France U20: Mousques; Biasotto, Brau-Boirie, Taccola, Granell (27′ st. Cowie); Cotarmanac’h, Zamora (15′ st. Souverbie); Perrin (29 st. Traversier), Tolofua, Zinzen; Corso, Mezou (cap.); Aouad (27 st. Duchene), Couly (1’st Akrab), Julien (1’st. Mistrulli; 30’st. Julien)
garlic: Sebastien Calvet
arb: Ian Kenny (SRU)
gdl: Adam Leal (RFU); Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Cards: 5′ st. Bozzo (ITA)
Footballers: Pucciariello (3/5); Cotarmanac’h (2/4)
Player of the Match: Marcos Gallorini (Ita)
Notes: cool evening, 15,000 spectators
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