It makes it difficult to establish a wide enough playing base when the game is not played very much in schools or in a club network that is established throughout the whole country, and where mini sections introduce rugby to generations of youngsters.
They have had a domestic league structure in Italy for some time, and I know that Michael Lynagh and David Campese both went and played there.
I’m not an expert in how long it takes for the game to take root in another country, but my impression of rugby in Italy is that it tends to be fragmented, with hot-spots in a few parts of the country where the game is established, but then much larger areas where it is not really known, or played.
There is also a problem of some of their best players leaving Italy for club contracts in France and England, rather than being on home soil to inspire the next generation of players.
However, Jake Polledri is a great addition to the Italian side, and the Gloucester flanker has come on so well he would have been pushing to start for England if he had not opted for the land of his father.
Polledri learned his rugby in England, and the big question is how long will it be before Italy starts to produce lots of Polledris of its own?
Denne historien er fra November 01, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra November 01, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
