Italy's goal in this year's Six
Nations is to compete with everyone and possibly go one better
when they had their best ever season beating Wales and Scotland
and unluckily drawing with France to avoid the wooden spoon for
the first time since 2015, coach Gonzalo Quesad said ahead of
the Azzurri's debut against Scotland at Murrayfield on February
1.
"We have higher expectations than last year, but there is no
team that doesn't have pressure," the Argentine tactician said
at the presnetation of the 2025 tournament in Rome Tuesday.
"We are aware that last year was a great tournament for us, but
we also know who we are playing against, as well as the size of
these challenges.
"We have the potential to play better, defend better and have an
even stronger character.
"We want to compete with everyone even if it will be very
complicated to do better than last year".
The coach then underlined the pride of "representing Italy and
wearing this shirt. For me, coaching Italy in such a prestigious
competition is a source of pride, we do what we love in one of
the greatest competitions in the world".
Finally, he gave a thought on the tournament in which Italy has
been a protagonist for "25 years, it still has a young
tradition.
"Our goal is to make sure we are at the same level as the other
historic national teams in terms of behavior, way of playing and
passion.
"We must demonstrate that we can compete against the other five
nations and really be part of the tournament, for us being part
of it is very important", he said.
Quesada went on: "With victories, new expectations are created
but this must be an extra motivation.
"We want to be a source of inspiration for all those who follow
us, proud and ready to respond to these expectations as best we
can.
"Our challenge is to continue to be aware of our quality.
"We know that we are a little behind in terms of the depth of
the squad, but this does not change our desire to prepare at
120%.
"We want to perform better because we can do it, the goal for
this tournament is to go even further. We will certainly be a
difficult team to beat.
"Now we have players who are starting to win even in their
franchises, but we need more children who play rugby and spread
this sport.
"For the future of rugby we must try to grow the players, as
well as the franchises, to get closer to the level of the other
nations", continued Quesada.
Finally, speaking about the availability of the players, the
Italian coach admits how frustrating it is that other coaches
can have "42 players in tow, I would like to have another 10
days with the whole group like them to prepare for the match.
"I am trying to work diplomatically to make them deaprt as
little as possible.
"But I feel in the boys the desire to demonstrate what they have
done", he concluded.
Benetton Treviso winger Louis Lynagh will miss the Six Nations
after having an operation on a knee injury he sustained in an
URC match against Zebre. Benetton said the op had been a
complete success and that the 24-year-old son of Australia great
Michael Lynagh would now start rehab.
As well as acheiving heir best ever Si Nations result, Italy had
other feathers in their caps last year.
Italy Tommaso Menoncello was voted player of the tournament.
The 21-year-old took 33% of the 146,000 fan votes to see off
competition from England loose forward Ben Earl, Ireland centre
Bundee Aki, and Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe and become
the youngest winner in the award's history.
It was another honour for Italy after fullback Lorenzi Pani's
sensational score in the 24-21 win against Wales was voted try
of the championship.
But for a hair's breadth penalty miss, Italy would also have
beaten France for the first time in the tournament, and in
France to boot.
The Azzurri finished in fifth place on 11 points, seven above
wooden spooners Wales.
Italy captain MIchele Lamaro told the presentation Tuesday that
Italy was now viewed differently by the other sides after its
exploits last year
"There are many expectations on us, now the other teams look at
us differently," he said.
"But it will be a different tournament, a new year with a
different team".
"We have to focus on ourselves, on what we can do to improve,
gain confidence and try to improve day after day.
"The most important thing is to continue to get results",
continued the Italian captain.
"It will be different for us because many play in England and
France, we have a few days to put everything into practice, a
short time and we have to be able to use it in the best possible
way.
"We would always like to have more time but we have to be
ready", he concluded..
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