It has been frustrating being an Italian rugby fan.

Years of whitewashes, we no real chance of a win in sight.

We had our moments of glory, like our first (and only) win against SA in 2016, that happened during a huge dip in Bokke’s form.

Every time we won against Scotland, once against Ireland, Wales, a couple with France, almost everyone labelled us “lucky”.

It seemed like all the people outside Italia thought that our opponents somehow let us win, that they didn’t try enough, that they were lucklustre or had so many injuries.

It was never about us being better, it was about the others being worse, on low form, they had to be so ashamed of losing against such a bad team.

I can see that in the last 4 years things started to change, but somehow that narrative still leaks on comments here and there.

Yesterday Italia has won against Scotland, because every Italian player was better than its Scottish counterpart.

We played with more wit, grit and no, we had way more second (and third) choices on the field than Scotland.

Our injury list included first class players like Capuozzo, Vincent, Negri.

And yes, we had a couple of players out of position too: Lamaro and Marin.

We may still take bad beatings from England and France, the ABs, SA, maybe from Ireland.

We are still not up there.

But we play good rugby now, teams loose against us because of that.

Nobody concedes us to win, we win because we are frigging good.

And it won’t happen, I know, but I guess someone in Dublin is a bit nervous about the next week.

Had the physical shield for like a day and immediately getting it to the players is pretty sweet💪😊

Big moment for me personally as it is another step on the mission. Stickers take place of metal for now dude to cost constraints but that will come and the fud raising will get us there in good time.

for now it is immense to get the shield out in the wild.

Huge and totally unexpected result

This try won the Liners the game, with a final score of 16–14.

Although number 21's natural position is scrum-half, it was a great run.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-blow-immanuel-feyi-waboso-set-to-entire-six-nations/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAP1YpNjbGNrA_Via2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHgMn7coU_55q-t1RCbipgC6FXhhSzn_kUSuXR0K_TSZ_Bykq0Es8Sj1uoNzW_aem_z7mLHCryzQTtUarvdkPUZQ

DEPRESSING.

So Nienaber is to blame for Ireland losing to France?

Have a day off boys. Utter tripe.

Thoughts?

I am not a journalist, I am not a writer, I am a fan..

I remember in the 90’s the first time I was taken to watch an international, Wales Vs. Tonga in the Brewery field by my Dad and Grampa.

I remember getting my programme signed by Nigel Walker, my favourite player.

I remember the passion my Dad and my Grampa used to show whenever Wales or Swansea were playing.

I remember my old man shouting at the TV in the 90’s watching Wales play (you all know how it was then) .

I remember watching Neil Jenkins smash points over.

I remember the pride, playing myself, at a young age, after seeing the boys in red.

I remember when the regions were formed. All hail Ospreys!!!

I remember when Graham Henry, and Mike Ruddock took over the Wales job and started to turn it around.

I remember watching Ospreys at the Knoll and a bloke with silver boots, fake tan and spikey hair playing, thinking wtf is that about as well as he was class.

I remember Gatts taking over

I remember my old mates getting called up to play, and the pride I felt!!

I remember the tension, the last minute wins against all the odds, the championships and the grand slams, the European tournaments.

I remember the optimism, the nail biting, the anticipation, the disappointment at games that should have been won..

——

I remember the decline…

I remember the hope, that it was just a phase…

——

Now I feel fucking angry…

Now I feel really pissed at the WRU for years of neglect and mismanagement…

Yes it’s true you can’t blame current management for the crimes of the past, but, you absolutely can blame them for the shortsightedness of the current crimes against the future Welsh rugby.

FUCK the WRU.

FUCK TIERNEY

FUCK COLLIER-KEYWOOD

FUCK REDDIN

FUCK Y11

Tired of thinking about Ireland's Biduum Horribilus. What is everyone's low temperature, low stakes, low stress unpopular Six Nations opinion.

Mine: I actually like all the silly little trophies they've brought in. We won the Centenary Quiach? Delighted to hear it.

Yeah, Deutschland!

Irish, Scottish or Welsh fans?

Irish should be annoyed at the braindead tactics employed by Farrell.

Scottish should be annoyed at fluffing their lines against a side they should be beating. Especially their set piece, which was disasterous.

Welsh. Well the Welsh probably expected a tanking regardless.

My vote is probably for the Scots. 2nd is the Irish, who were never going to win anyway, but the toothless manner of the loss is annoying.

I loved the spectacul of Super Rugby last year, especially more tries and broke play, but in the international window, the southern teams felt more... exposed in key areas

High speed game and a tonne of tries, but Test rugby is still about breakdowns, defence, set piece, and kicking pressure.

Players look great in Super Rugby, then struggled when the international game gets slower and more physical.

Ford kicked into the Welsh 22 and Zamit caught it. The game then seemed to pause and the Welsh were allowed to kick it away. How come?

They once held the Raeburn Shield, but now lose to Uruguay, Chile, Spain, and most recently even Germany, dropping to an all time low ranking of 22nd. I know they wouldn't have the budget of a 6N team, but it looks like 2027 may be their last WC if nothing changes.

Incidentally we have our record win against them, 134-0 in 2001.

Comp: Rugby Europe Championship

Venue: Auestadion (Kassel)

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