Cardiff, Wales – A promising Six Nations campaign for the Italian national rugby team concluded with a 31-17 defeat against Wales on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Principality Stadium. While a loss to the Welsh side wouldn’t have been unexpected in years past, this result carries a different weight given Italy’s recent form and Wales’ struggles, having not secured a win in the tournament since 2023.
The Azzurri entered the match as favorites, buoyed by a historic victory over England the previous week – their first ever against the Red Rose – and a prior win against Scotland. A win against Wales would have marked a watershed moment, allowing Italy to finish the Six Nations with more victories than defeats (3-2) for the first time since joining the competition in 2000. However, a sluggish start and a dominant Welsh performance ultimately dashed those hopes.
Wales established a commanding lead early, racing to a 21-0 advantage by halftime. They extended that lead to 31-0 before Italy mounted a late response, scoring three tries through Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Tommaso Allan, and Paolo Garbisi, with two additional tries disallowed by the referee. Despite the late surge, the deficit proved insurmountable.
The defeat doesn’t erase the significant progress Italy has made in recent years. Nearly a third of Italy’s 18 Six Nations victories in 135 matches have come over the last three years: two in 2024, including a draw, one last year, and two in this year’s tournament. This improved performance is also translating to increased public interest, with approximately half a million viewers tuning in to watch Italy’s match against England, representing nearly a 5 percent share of the audience.
Tommaso Allan and Paolo Garbisi celebrate after the victory against England (David Rogers/Getty Images)
Much of Italy’s recent success can be attributed to the influence of head coach Gonzalo Quesada, building upon the foundation laid by his predecessor, Kieran Crowley. Crowley, who led the national team from 2021 to 2023, prioritized developing a young squad and implementing an attacking style of play, a departure from previous strategies focused primarily on defensive solidity.
Quesada, taking the reins in 2024, has refined Crowley’s work, aiming to create a more well-rounded team – perhaps less flamboyant, but more pragmatic. This approach was evident in the victory over England, where Italy demonstrated resilience and the ability to close out a tight game, a feat that would have been unlikely just a few years ago. Trailing 18-10 late in the match, Italy found a way to secure the win.
Following a defeat against Samoa early in his tenure, Quesada famously stated, “We must learn to win even when playing badly.” This sentiment, as noted by On Rugby, reflects a shift in mindset, moving away from the pursuit of the “perfect game” and towards a more results-oriented approach. Previously, the ambition of defeating England was tied to executing a flawless performance.
As Mauro Mondello wrote on Ultimo Uomo, Quesada has brought greater structure to the Italian game plan, sacrificing some of the unpredictability of the Crowley era in favor of increased security, and discipline. He also revolutionized Italy’s kicking game, previously almost non-existent, and emphasized a robust defense.
Looking ahead, the future of Italian rugby appears bright. While the loss to France (33-8) and a close contest against Ireland (20-13) highlight areas for improvement, the emergence of talented players like Tommaso Menoncello, Michele Lamaro, and the anticipated return of Ange Capuozzo from injury provide a strong foundation for continued growth. Many of these players will be entering their prime as they approach the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, to which Italy has already qualified as the tenth-ranked team in the world.
Tommaso Menoncello in action during 2024 (Warren Little/Getty Images)
However, Italian rugby continues to grapple with longstanding structural challenges. The Italian Rugby Federation reportedly spends more than it earns, relying heavily on revenue generated by the Six Nations tournament. This creates a “pyramid scheme” dynamic, where the success of the national team is crucial for funding the development of the sport at all levels.
The base of the pyramid remains relatively small, with only tens of thousands of registered players compared to other major team sports. Italy also has only two fully professional clubs, Benetton Treviso and the Zebre of Parma, with the latter currently facing significant financial difficulties. Many national team players compete for these two clubs or play professionally abroad, facing consistently stronger opposition with greater resources, history, and fan bases.
Both Zebre and Benetton participate in the United Rugby Championship, a transnational league featuring teams from Wales, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Italy. Benetton currently sits 14th in the standings, while Zebre are at the bottom. Notably, neither club competes in the Italian domestic league, from which Colorno recently withdrew due to financial problems earlier this month.
Italy’s next confirmed fixture is yet to be announced, but preparations will soon begin for the 2026 Autumn Internationals. The team will look to build on the progress made this Six Nations and continue to establish itself as a competitive force in international rugby.
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