Italy - where to now?

[didds]

Italy once again complete a 6N tournament without a solitary win.

Their last 6N win was in 2015.

I perceive they are "better" than they were - they have moved on (for some while) from their forwards based spoiling team. Their backs are decent and they like to use them. But they remain the whipping boys of the competiton nonetheless.

I don't know where "they" or the 6N go with them. 'Im not a baby and bath water type ... and honestly see no benefit either with a "swap them out for Georgia" 'cos I don't see Georgia being any more competeive. the argument may be that give Georgia ten years and they'll improve - but then why wouldnt Italy in another ten years? And one thing is for sure - drop Italy to the 2nd tier and you won't see any Italian development but will see a lot of cricket scores by Italy for several years against the rest of the 2nd tier.

I'm certainly not up for promotion/relegation 'cos that will only I suspect end in a flip flop scenario.

What to do?

[PinkDalek]

What to do?

Continue as is.

I enjoy watching them attempt to compete, which they do with some flair for much of the matches.

Fwiiw, their U20s were more than competitive in the three matches they played https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/team/it ... _&_results including an away win v Wales.

[Leothebear]

There are just 73,500 registered players in Italy. There are 340,000 in England.

Take that into account and I'd say they punch their weight.

[didds]

There are just 73,500 registered players in Italy. There are 340,000 in England.

Take that into account and I'd say they punch their weight.

but that isnt a match day deciding factor.

Of that 340K in England, how many of them come even close to beign a danger to anybody except themselves?

Put another way - I played for about 33 years, week in, week out. I had zero chance of an international cap. probably not even that close.

how many in eg the top level elite structure in england and italy? I suspect the numbers are far closer for the demiographic that really matters?

[Leothebear]

There are just 73,500 registered players in Italy. There are 340,000 in England.

Take that into account and I'd say they punch their weight.

but that isnt a match day deciding factor.

Of that 340K in England, how many of them come even close to beign a danger to anybody except themselves?

Put another way - I played for about 33 years, week in, week out. I had zero chance of an international cap. probably not even that close.

how many in eg the top level elite structure in england and italy? I suspect the numbers are far closer for the demiographic that really matters?

If the top clubs in Italy have a total pool of 74k and the top clubs in England have a total pool of 340K then that has to be an advantage.
I admit it doesn't seem to work out that way when England play Iceland at football.

[dealtn]

I admit it doesn't seem to work out that way when England play Iceland at football.

Strange admission.

Played 4 Won 2 Draw 1 Lost 1 Goals For 9 Goals Against 4

Seems to make your point quite saliently. The next data point is just a few days away I think.

[didds]

If the top clubs in Italy have a total pool of 74k and the top clubs in England have a total pool of 340K then that has to be an advantage.
I admit it doesn't seem to work out that way when England play Iceland at football.

well - Im really not that convinced that bath RFC had in mind some fat 35 year prop forward playing Devizes 3rds TBH. So make that 339.99999K to draw from?

The vast amount iof that 340K (and yes 74K) are in no way eligible / likely to ever be of interest at the elite level.

There are thousands, nay millions of parish councillors the length and breadth of the land. How many of them are in any running for government Cabinet ? Its no different.

didds

[Leothebear]

Some will be rubbish and some will be gifted - with a larger pool you will find more rubbish and more gifted, than from the much smaller pool.
I think it's called statistics.

[didds]

Some will be rubbish and some will be gifted - with a larger pool you will find more rubbish and more gifted, than from the much smaller pool.
I think it's called statistics.

It all becomes relative. If you've got 5 times as many players all together that doesnt mean you have 5 times as many professional players

didds

[didds]

meanwhile it appears that South Africa have 651146 registered players.

New Zealand only have 156893.

Surely NZ have absolutely no chance ever of beating SA then?

[PinkDalek]

[I don't know where "they" or the 6N go with them. 'Im not a baby and bath water type ... and honestly see no benefit either with a "swap them out for Georgia" 'cos I don't see Georgia being any more competeive. the argument may be that give Georgia ten years and they'll improve

Having watched both matches yesterday, Italy continue to improve, with a batch of youngsters, but, unsurprisingly, don't appear able to win the matches they should win.

Whereas, again unsurprisingly, Georgia looked nothing like the World Cup squad they had in 2015. Which is as shame, as I'm all for apparent minnows to pull above their weight.

[didds]

The Georgian coach apparently said not to judge theior squad on THIS tournament but on "the enxt".

How/when/where that "next" tournament will be remains open to conjecture - Im guessing his means this time next year but has something already been released that 2021 autumn internationals will involve Georgia?

didds