Italy: Down But Not Out

Even after 17 years with little success, Six Nations organisers are right to cut the Azzurri just a little more slack, writes James Harrington.

Heartening news for Italian rugby fans, not to mention the Azzurri's relatively new coach Conor O'Shea: Six Nations organisers are not planning to introduce promotion and relegation any time in the near future.

Chief executive John Feehan has told BBC Radio Wales "in the short to medium term there is not any genuine likelihood of that happening."

Since five became six back in 2000, Italy have finished bottom of the table in 11 of the 17 tournaments, winning only 12 of their 85 matches, and drawing one.

Meanwhile, rugby has been on the rise in eastern Europe, with Georgia and Romania pushing hard for a shot in the northern hemisphere's premier international rugby tournament.

It is easy to see their argument. While five of the current Six Nations' teams are currently in the top eight of World Rugby's rankings, O'Shea's Italy are 13th, one place behind Georgia and only three above Romania.

And, while Italy have been on table-propping duty for much of their Six Nations' lifetime, including seven of the last 10 tournaments, Georgia have been pretty much unbeatable in Europe's second-tier international competitions, winning nine of the past 10 European Nations Cups.

Despite the poor statistical performance, O'Shea is convinced Italy deserve to be a part of the competition, despite calls from the eastern European nations for a play-off.

"Italy have earned their right to be in the Six Nations," O'Shea insisted at a pre-tournament press conference.

"If ever promotion and relegation were the case, who knows who would be at the bottom by the time that comes? If we get our system right and look after ourselves then we don't have to have those conversations."

He has the backing of tournament CEO Feehan, who dismissed any immediate prospect of introducing promotion and relegation in any form. "It's not that long ago they beat South Africa … so they are capable of beating anyone on their day," he pointed out, adding a reminder that the Azzurri have beaten every other Six Nations side accept England.

He, of course, failed to mention the shellacking they were handed by New Zealand the week before the historic Springboks' win, or the loss to Tonga a week later.

O'Shea, too, wants to focus on that win over South Africa, describing it as Italy's 'Munster moment'.

"With my Irish hat on, Munster beating the All Blacks in 1978 is something that's always spoken about. The win over South Africa could be like that Munster win for us, but only if we make that the case."

It's easy to forget that the Azzurri were within minutes of beating France in the opening round of last year's Six Nations before they were eventually pipped 23-21 at the Stade de France - but it does seem an awful long time ago that Italy beat both France and Ireland in one competition to finish in the top four for the second time in their history. In fact it was just four years ago - the same season that Treviso finished seventh in the Pro 12.

Back then it seemed Italian rugby was making progress. Things have fallen backwards since, with both Italian Pro 12 sides struggling to make much of an impact. But, with a new team in Rome set to take Zebre's place in the Pro 12 and O'Shea putting together a promising coaching team for the national side, maybe it's right that the organisers cut them a little more slack.

After all, France joined the Five Nations competition in 1910 and won just one game in their first four tournaments. It took them until 1954 to win a share of the title, and they won their first outright crown in 1959.

Let's look at it again after the 2019 World Cup.