Italy: WRWC 2017 – we need to know more!

It is rare that national officials make any sort of criticism of the IRB, so  Tonna’s comments yesterday on the qualification process for 2017 reveal the frustrations within the Italian camp.

Discussing the new Italian squad for 2014-15 Tonna raised the dilemma in determining Italy’s priorities for the forthcoming season:

"We are waiting for confirmation from the IRB with regard to the process for the qualification of the World Cup in 2017, in particular whether or not the process will be the same as for the previous edition. This is important because, if it is the same, we will be competing for a place to the 2017 World Cup as early as next February." she said.

For the 2014 World Cup, the European qualification process began with the 2012 and 2013 Six Nations, with tournament results being used to decide two of the places in Paris.

However, as Tonna points out, one effect of bringing the next World Cup forward a year will be that European qualification places could based on results in the next two Six Nations if the same process is going to be followed.

This matters particularly for Italy who only just missed on a place in Paris. Having also missed out in 2010 they are determined to get back to the top table of women’s rugby, but can they take a long term view and experiment with new players in next Six Nations, or is it going to be the start of a process where every try and every point could be vital?

“The upcoming Six Nations will be very unpredictable anyway”, continued Tonna.

"The other teams, - apart from us and Scotland – were at the World Cup in France and their teams are rebuilding. I'm sure that nobody wants to waste any opportunity to qualify for 2017 - it will be tough battle from the beginning.”

More positively, Tonna also looked back on the recent U18 European Championship in Sweden, a tournament that Italy found very valuable:

“The U18 Championship has brought a breath of fresh air and energy throughout the game. For many years, we have been working on engaging young talent from year to year, many of whom have become key players of our team. The new tournament has given us a more solid base, as well providing greater motivation for players as well as the chance for them to play together."

The 30-player squad will come together for the first time in Parma between the 24th and 26th October. The players named are below:

The IRB had not responded to a query on this at the time of posting this article.

Ilaria Arrighetti (Rugby Monza);  Rosa Bettolatti (Rugby Monza);  Melissa Bettoni (Fed. Francese);  Jessica Busato (Benetton Treviso);  Lucia Cammarano (Rugby Monza);  Maria Grazia Cioffi (Rugby Benevento);  Federica Cipolla (Umbria Rugby Ragazze);  Awa Coulibaly (Fed. Francese);  Rachele Dell'oca (Rugby Monza);  Alessandra Dell'orso (Rugby Belve Neroverdi);  Martina Elemi (Rugby Monza);  Michela Este (Benetton Treviso);  Manuela Furlan (Benetton Treviso);  Lucia Gai (Sitam Riviera Del Brenta);  Silvia Gaudino (Rugby Monza);  Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Padova);  Florence Homedje Essi Gladys (Rugby Forlì);  Isabella Locatelli (Rugby Monza);  Maria Magatti (Rugby Monza);  Anita Nespoli (Sitam Riviera Del Brenta);  Alessia Pantarotto (Sitam Riviera Del Brenta);  Novella Russo (Rugby Monza);  Valentina Ruzza (Valsugana Padova);  Claudia Salvadego (Valsugana Padova);  Michela Sillari (Rugby Colorno);  Sofia Stefan (Fed. Francese);  Alice Trevisan (Sitam Riviera Del Brenta);  Maria Diletta Veronese (Valsugana Padova);  Federica Violi (Rugby Colorno);  Elena Vitadello (Valsugana Padova)