“Target for Italy in 2013 is World Cup qualification”: Gaudino

"An Autumn test series was new?˜thing for us", said Gaudino,?˜"and we hope we can continue with them.?˜

failed?˜to qualify for the Sevens World Cup last season I am still?˜satisfied with the performance of the team", said?˜Di Giandomenico. "Although most of the squad is the same one as the last year??s, the sevens helped the young players grow and increase their confidence with the game - and two have made the squad for the Six Nations.?˜Michela Sillari is in the backline, and Marta Ferrari (a former junior European judo champion)?˜is with the forwards."

??A strong set of forwards is essential", added Gaudino (who plays at no 8), "and we were pleased with our forwards?? performance in the Autumn tests ?? but we know that France and England will be stronger and against them we have to play a different sort of game.??

Di Giandomenico

Both agreed that?˜Italy have clearly improved year on year. ??The merit may be attributed to the girls", says?˜Di Giandomenico,?˜"we can see how they increase their confidence the more they play. Behind this is a federal structure that is creating the best conditions for good growth and development. All of that work is starting to achieve results.??

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