How to destroy a brilliant competition. FFS. Some of these comments.

It doesn't unless you can revamp the club pro game in the NH.Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 10:06 am How does an 8 team comp work with the Spring and Autumn tours? That's a lot of test matchess.
Indeed. The ultimate development endpoint is to see a European Championships played every two years. In between with seeded groups for qualification. This is many many years into the future. And likewise for all continents with many more nations at a high standard of playing the sport.msp. wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 11:47 pmThis is the Irony if rugby is to be successful and grow, it will be the end of the six nations in the same way the British Home Championship in football went.PUMITA wrote: ↑Tue Feb 09, 2021 3:22 pm We need to grow the sport and not remain parochial. A set of European conferences perhaps when the teams sitting in the ERC have shown they are reasonably competitive. That means more Tests against them in Tblisi for instance or Madrid. Romanian rugby still has a long way to go after the disaster post Ceaucescu and huge drop off in playing numbers and loss of state support and infrastructure.
Lurking for the 32nd loss in a row.Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 2:50 amI remember we used to have a few quite active Italian posters on this forum. The Super Marios. I haven't seen them posting much lately.
Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment. As I mentioned earlier, a 6 team comp is way better than a 5 team one. Three games per weekend is ideal. And I'm constantly reminded by NH fans how great 6N weekends in Rome are.Alvise Martinengo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:12 pmLurking for the 32nd loss in a row.Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 2:50 amI remember we used to have a few quite active Italian posters on this forum. The Super Marios. I haven't seen them posting much lately.
That's a record.
Time to give up ( the tournement and the game).
And better still than a 4 team oneAli's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 pm Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment. As I mentioned earlier, a 6 team comp is way better than a 5 team one.
Of course it is. Did you think that was some kind of clever troll?MrDominator wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:40 pmAnd better still than a 4 team oneAli's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 pm Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment. As I mentioned earlier, a 6 team comp is way better than a 5 team one.![]()
Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:47 pmOf course it is. Did you think that was some kind of clever troll?MrDominator wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:40 pmAnd better still than a 4 team oneAli's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 pm Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment. As I mentioned earlier, a 6 team comp is way better than a 5 team one.![]()
Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 pmAlvise Martinengo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:12 pmYou're right, but it's time to quit.Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sun Feb 07, 2021 2:50 am
Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment.
In 1996 (Italy-Wales, TM) in Rome, Stadio Olimpico, there were 3.000 attendance.
That's the real dimension of the interest for the game in Belpaese.
No media told of France match, media coverage close to zero.
And btw, I disagree with your point of view, but I don't tell it's stupid. You tell rugby will live long and prosper in Italy? I don't think so I give two, probably three years to bail out. Period.
Alvise, how do you feel about playing in a "second division" instead with the likes of Georgia, Romania etc? Hopefully a more even playing field.Alvise Martinengo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:47 pmYou're right, but it's time to quit.Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:36 pm Coming last in the 6N tournament every year is not a reason in itself to "give up" Rugby or the tournament. That's a stupid comment.
In 1996 (Italy-Wales, TM) in Rome, Stadio Olimpico, there were 3.000 attendance.
That's the real dimension of the interest for the game in Belpaese.
No media told of France match, media coverage close to zero.
And btw, I disagree with your point of view, but I don't tell it's stupid. You tell rugby will live long and prosper in Italy? I don't think so I give two, probably three years to bail out. Period.
azzurro wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:01 pm Alvise,
I agree that we are devaluing the Tournment and we should really leave it right now.
But I wouldn't call off rugby penetration in the country.
I'm witnessing a great increase in kids joining rugby clubs, the mini rugby meetings (before Covid) were jammed by kids, new teams and enthusiastic parents
junior rugby skill level is as high as ever and is increasing even in regions where the sport wasn't popular at all.
If you take junior rugby it's no longer just Veneto that provides the best teams but also Lombardia and Emilia Romagna.
It takes time and patience but i'm very confident that the movement from down under is solid and will bear its fruits in the next future.
Nice stat, but not really relevant to the discussion.
I don't think they'll ever leave, but Italy is a prime example that exposes the lie prevalent in most international sports organizations that money and consistent games alone against top opponents can solve all problems. The guys playing for Italy now were all small children when the Six Nations was first inaugurated in 2000.Da iawn diolch wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:18 pm I'd be really sad if Italy left the tournament. I remember how exciting it was to be changing the format and have a new away fixture in the calendar.
However, I can't see what this weekend's England-Italy game (or last weekend's game) is adding to the tournament. Is having a whitewash game that devalues the general standard really better for the tournament than giving England a rest this weekend?
The pundits aren't giving it anything more than a cursory mention, because the expectation is that the Azzuri are going to go over like an old woman on an icy pavement, again.
The only justification for keeping Italy in the tournament right now seems to come from a bunch of boot-cut jean wearing 'lads' who fancy a weekend on the lash in Rome every other year.
That's a pretty shit reason in my view.
Italy need to develop as a rugby-playing nation, but taking a kicking in the 6N every year isn't going to do them any favours at grassroots level. What sensible kid is going to look at last weekend's hammering and say "I want to do that when I grow up"?
Yeah, I think I probably agree with you in principle. Italy have quite obviously improved from when they joined the 5N, but if anything the gap to the top teams is even bigger than it was 20yrs ago.Flyin Ryan wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:04 pmI don't think they'll ever leave, but Italy is a prime example that exposes the lie prevalent in most international sports organizations that money and consistent games alone against top opponents can solve all problems. The guys playing for Italy now were all small children when the Six Nations was first inaugurated in 2000.Da iawn diolch wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:18 pm I'd be really sad if Italy left the tournament. I remember how exciting it was to be changing the format and have a new away fixture in the calendar.
However, I can't see what this weekend's England-Italy game (or last weekend's game) is adding to the tournament. Is having a whitewash game that devalues the general standard really better for the tournament than giving England a rest this weekend?
The pundits aren't giving it anything more than a cursory mention, because the expectation is that the Azzuri are going to go over like an old woman on an icy pavement, again.
The only justification for keeping Italy in the tournament right now seems to come from a bunch of boot-cut jean wearing 'lads' who fancy a weekend on the lash in Rome every other year.
That's a pretty shit reason in my view.
Italy need to develop as a rugby-playing nation, but taking a kicking in the 6N every year isn't going to do them any favours at grassroots level. What sensible kid is going to look at last weekend's hammering and say "I want to do that when I grow up"?
Serious question. Remove the national team from the discussion, what is Italian Rugby? I know it's not just 2 teams in the Pro 14, but what's underneath that?
There were fewer armchair supporters to worry about ruining the game over, that much is true.Da iawn diolch wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:26 pmNice stat, but not really relevant to the discussion.
I don't know what the TV revenues were like back then, but I suspect it wasn't as big an issue as it is now...![]()
Is this not also related to the relative lack of success Italy recently have experienced, Having no wins for 5, 6 years is not going to drive interest. But i did hear the week the Italy beat Wales in rugby and lost to them in football there was a lot of interest generated (may be with touch of humor)Alvise Martinengo wrote: ↑Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:44 pm Well, as a matter of fact, it's not a subject belonging to promotion or relegation, it's a normal "excursus" on the phenomenology of the game in Italy.
The only fact, after fifty years I follow the game that this is not our cup of tea. There's no interest in the game, plain and simple.
Since the origins, Fir received during the years of the tournament a huge amount of money to feed a considerable number of foreign players, a redistribution of the fees given by the board. And the law of retaliation has been a poor policy of growth in the youth social stratum. Period.
Sooner or later this liaison will come to an end as everything in the world.
It has been an experiment but it failed.
Agreed, Italy may be a level below the rest of the 6N but they are at least 1 level probably 2 above Georgiafranch fan wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:53 pmLast week game already showed that, as many, you made the error of getting abused by the scoreline
What is rugby in Scotland for that matter? Only two pro teams. Small country. And look at them today.Flyin Ryan wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:04 pmI don't think they'll ever leave, but Italy is a prime example that exposes the lie prevalent in most international sports organizations that money and consistent games alone against top opponents can solve all problems. The guys playing for Italy now were all small children when the Six Nations was first inaugurated in 2000.Da iawn diolch wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:18 pm I'd be really sad if Italy left the tournament. I remember how exciting it was to be changing the format and have a new away fixture in the calendar.
However, I can't see what this weekend's England-Italy game (or last weekend's game) is adding to the tournament. Is having a whitewash game that devalues the general standard really better for the tournament than giving England a rest this weekend?
The pundits aren't giving it anything more than a cursory mention, because the expectation is that the Azzuri are going to go over like an old woman on an icy pavement, again.
The only justification for keeping Italy in the tournament right now seems to come from a bunch of boot-cut jean wearing 'lads' who fancy a weekend on the lash in Rome every other year.
That's a pretty shit reason in my view.
Italy need to develop as a rugby-playing nation, but taking a kicking in the 6N every year isn't going to do them any favours at grassroots level. What sensible kid is going to look at last weekend's hammering and say "I want to do that when I grow up"?
Serious question. Remove the national team from the discussion, what is Italian Rugby? I know it's not just 2 teams in the Pro 14, but what's underneath that?
The current team shows promises. They need to mature. Some of the decision making is a bit rushed at times and they need a good defense coach.mdaclarke wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 6:17 pmAgreed, Italy may be a level below the rest of the 6N but they are at least 1 level probably 2 above Georgiafranch fan wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:53 pmLast week game already showed that, as many, you made the error of getting abused by the scoreline
Or just go back to the 5 nations.Alvise Martinengo wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:10 pm 29 in a row, that matters.
The real thing is an ethological experiment by the board, end of Fir contract and a lustrum trial for Georgia in 6 nations, the only way to understand if the game can grow outside the home unions.
And just for the record, poor coverage as usual.
The officials were a disgrace.0ber0n wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:10 am at least 2 English tries were to be disallowed for clear knock-on, not to mention Farrell's late "tackle" that, in case it were from an Italian player, it would have resulted in a yellow all the way. Probably we wouldn't have won anyway, but men..how can we win a match if anytime we are competitive we get our ambition frustrated by blatant ref decisions? (remember Wales-Italy last fall with the WIlliams tackle on Canna's head)
Don't forget May jumping out of the tackle, 20 points off the English score makes it a very different game.0ber0n wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:10 am at least 2 English tries were to be disallowed for clear knock-on, not to mention Farrell's late "tackle" that, in case it were from an Italian player, it would have resulted in a yellow all the way. Probably we wouldn't have won anyway, but men..how can we win a match if anytime we are competitive we get our ambition frustrated by blatant ref decisions? (remember Wales-Italy last fall with the WIlliams tackle on Canna's head)
Sawtooth the Beaver wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:13 am Johnny Wilkinson "I love watching Italy play"
Put this crap from Mick to bed.