Italy may be the annual whipping boys of the Six Nations, but recent months have seen the prospects for Italian rugby very much heading in the right direction.
In June, Bennetton (Treviso) capped an excellent PRO14 Rainbow Cup campaign by unexpectedly thumping the Bulls 35-8 in the final.
In July, the Italian Under 20s stormed to a stunning six-try 43-3 victory over Scotland in the Six Nations Under-20s.
And, this month, Italy Under-18s beat England 27-17 at Millfield School.
There have been understandable criticism of Italy’s track record in the senior Six Nations in recent years amidst murmurings of them possibly being replaced by Georgia or, more likely, South Africa.
But maybe, just maybe, the corner has been Turned and a little more patience is required?
