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Can Italy win the Six Nations? No. In 2023, having lost their first four games, they cannot.
However, the real question is: How competitive can the Italy Six Nations campaign be in 2023? Will they get a win this year? Can they avoid the wooden spoon, and perhaps prove to be a banana skin for a big name? We certainly think there’s a shot of all these scenarios unfolding, with Italy looking well and truly improved in their opening four matches, giving both the World No.1 and No.2 teams a run for their money at times.
We preview the Italy Six Nations squad and odds, with all the information you need to bet on the Six Nations 2023.
Italy Odds Six Nations
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Heading into the tournament, Italy was an enormous underdog to win the Six Nations. Unfortunately, after four losses to France, England, Ireland and Wales, Italy are no longer a mathematical possibility to win the Six Nations.
As a result, no bookies are offering odds for Italy to win the Six Nations 2023.
Italy Six Nations Chances of Winning
Italy have been much improved this Six Nations, yet to no avail on the Six Nations standings.
On 17 occasions to Azzurri have finished last in the Six Nations, and this season, despite pushing both the World No.1 and No.2 sides to the final ten minutes, they’re now in a dogfight for last place with Wales once again.
Latest Italy Six Nations Game
Last weekend, Italy will have been bitterly disappointed with the result. This was their big chance for a win, against a woeful Welsh team who were winless. The Azzurri won this fixture last year, and would have been counting on a similar performance this Six Nations. However, the pressure of the occasion was too much for the Italians, and the bounce of the ball did not go their way, with Wales coming out on top 29-17 at full time.
Remaining Italy Six Nations Games
Italy have one game remaining in the Six Nations, with this one away. Here’s how the rest of the Italy Six Nations campaign will unfold:
- Scotland – Away (18th of March)
After the disappointment of last weekend, Italy will be desperate to get something from their remaining fixture against Scotland. Can the Azzurri head to Edinburgh and produce a result?
Next Italy Six Nations Game
With their final fixture being played against Scotland in Edinburgh, Italy will be hard pressed to avoid the wooden spoon. They’ll need a win to do so, and while Scotland are 2-2 this season, they’ve been playing some great rugby. This should be an exciting game where both teams throw the kitchen sink at each other, but expect Scotland to come out on top.
Italy Six Nations History
Since joining the Six Nations in 2000, Italy have struggled to find their feet in the Tier One tournament. Of the 23 editions they’ve competed in, Italy have finished in last place all but six times. Their overall record does not make for pleasant reading, with 13 wins and one draw from 116 Six Nations matches.
Here’s how the past five Italy Six Nations campaigns have unfolded:
- 2018—Sixth place
- 2019—Sixth place
- 2020—Sixth place
- 2021—Sixth place
- 2022—Sixth place
Since defeating Scotland in the 2015 Six Nations, Italy had been on an abysmal run in the Six Nations, going six season without gaining a win in the tournament. However, last year they scored a famous one point win over Wales in Cardiff to claim their first Six Nations win in seven years. This year, they’ll be hoping to build on that—with positive signs, after being competitive in their opening match against France.
Italy Six Nations Squad
Italy have named a young, 35-man squad ahead of the Six Nations 2023, with four debutants among those included for the tournament.
Only one player in the entire squad has more than 50 caps, with the Italians opting more for youth and than experience ahead of the Italy Six Nations campaign. All four players hoping to earn new caps are in the front row, with Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnolo and Marco Manfredi included in the squad.
Full Squad List
Forwards
Pietro Ceccarelli, Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fischetti, Matteo Nocera, Marco Riccioni, Luca Rizzoli, Mirco Spagnolo, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Marco Manfredi, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolo Cannon, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Andrea Zambonin, Lorenzo Cannon, Michele Lamaro, Sebastian Negri, Giovanni Pettinelli, Jake Polledri and Manuel Zuliani.
Backs
Alessandro Fusco, Alessandro Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan, Giacomo Da Re, Juan Ignacio Brex, Enrico Lucchin, Tommaso Menoncello, Luca Morisi, Pierre Bruno, Ange Capuozzo, Matteo Minozzi and Edoardo Padovani.
Italy Six Nations Injury Updates
Several injuries ahead of the tournament commencing have impacted the Italy Six Nations squad. Monty Ioane was unavailable for selection, while Toa Halafihi, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Leonardo Marin and David Sisi are also battling injuries currently.
Paolo Garbisi however, has recovered from his knee injury which initially ruled the flyhalf out of selection.
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