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11 clusters · 33 sources · 59 days · First seen · Last updated

Italy women's national rugby coaching and WXV performance

Overview

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) appointed Plinio Sciamanna as the permanent head coach of the women’s national rugby team to provide continuity to the squad’s technical and cultural development. Sciamanna established a long-term vision focused on offensive improvements and technical development to prepare for the WXV Global Series and the next World Cup.

In the opening match of the 2026 WXV Global Series at Fontanafredda, Italy secured a 55-21 victory against Japan. The match featured nine Italian tries, including two from Aura Muzzo and first international tries for Alessandra Frangipani and Margherita Tonellotto. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi also became the team’s all-time leading try scorer during this fixture.

Italy subsequently faced South Africa in Pordenone, losing 41-29. Despite a second-half comeback that saw Italy briefly take a 29-27 lead, Sciamanna noted the team struggled to contain the South African maul and conceded avoidable fouls.

During a tour of the United States, Italy faced the USA Women’s Eagles on October 17 at Texas Health Stadium in Mansfield. The USA defeated Italy 36-27, marking their fourth consecutive test win since 2006. Although Italy mounted a second-half comeback with three tries, they could not overcome a 26-10 halftime deficit.

In the second WXV match in Nashville, Italy initially took a 12-0 lead following tries from Francesca Granzotto and Francesca Sgorbini. However, the United States utilized superior physicality to secure a 54-24 victory. Despite the loss, Italy recorded tries through Sagapolu, Minuzzi, and Rigoni. The Nashville fixture also marked milestone appearances for Michela Sillari (100th cap) and Vittoria Vecchini (50th cap).

Entities

Italy Women's National Rugby Team · Plinio Sciamanna · WXV Global Series · South Africa Women's National Rugby Team · United States Women's National Rugby Team

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [SPORTS] 5 sources
    USA women's rugby team defeats Italy 54-24 in Nashville

    The USA women's rugby team defeated Italy 54-24 in Nashville to close the WXV Global Series, overcoming an early Italian lead through superior physicality.

  2. [SPORTS] 6 sources
    Italy women's national teams compete in handball and rugby

    Italy's women's handball team defeated Bulgaria 27-23 in World Cup qualifying, while the women's rugby team prepares for a WXV Global Series rematch against the USA.

  3. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    USA Women's Eagles defeat Italy 36-27 in WXV Global Series

    The USA Women's Eagles secured a 36-27 victory over Italy in their WXV Global Series opener, led by Georgie Perris-Redding's hat-trick of tries.

  4. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    USA Women's Rugby to face Italy in WXV Series match in Texas

    The USA Women’s Eagles face Italy in Mansfield, Texas, as part of the WXV Global Series, with the undefeated Americans looking to leverage a dominant forward pack against the Italian side.

  5. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Italy women's rugby squad named for WXV tour in USA

    Italy's women's rugby coach Plinio Sciamanna has named a 30-player squad for two WXV Global Series test matches against the United States in Texas and Tennessee this October.

  6. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Italy women's rugby squad named for WXV series in USA

    Italy's women's rugby team has named a 30-player squad for two WXV Global Series matches against the USA in Texas and Tennessee this October.

  7. [SPORTS] 13 sources
    South Africa defeats Italy 41-29 in WXV Global Series rugby

    South Africa's Springbok Women defeated Italy 41-29 in the WXV Global Series in Pordenone, overcoming an Italian comeback to secure their first win on Italian soil.

  8. [SPORTS] 8 sources
    Italy Women's Rugby prepares for WXV Global Series clash against South Africa

    Italy's women's rugby team prepares to face South Africa in the WXV Global Series in Fontanafredda, with coach Plinio Sciamanna implementing squad changes and managing last-minute injury absences.

  9. [SPORTS] 12 sources
    Italy women's rugby defeats Japan 55-21 in WXV Global Series

    Italy's women's rugby team defeated Japan 55-21 in the WXV Global Series, led by Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi's record-breaking performance. Folgore also took the lead in the San Marino Championship.

  10. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Italy Women's Rugby: Sciamanna focuses on attack and long-term goals

    Italy women's rugby head coach Plinio Sciamanna is focusing on offensive development and long-term growth ahead of the WXV Global Series and upcoming matches against Japan and South Africa.

  11. [SPORTS] 4 sources
    Plinio Sciamanna appointed head coach of Italy women's rugby

    The Italian Rugby Federation has officially appointed Plinio Sciamanna as head coach of the women's national team, adding Francesco Mazzariol to the staff as an assistant coach.

Sources

allrugby.it · altarimini.it · asiarugby.com · bergamonews.it · buoncalcioatutti.it · chiamamicitta.it · grossetosport.com · gsport.co.za · ilgiunco.net · ilnuovoterraglio.it · lfootball.it · nprugby.it · oasport.it · onrugby.it · persemprenews.it · ravennanotizie.it · ravennatoday.it · romatoday.it · rugbymeet.com · sanmarinoacademy.sm · sanmarinortv.sm · sarugbymag.co.za · siracusapress.it · sportface.it · sportfriends.it · sportiamoci.it · sportmagazine.it · sportsdestinations.com · superrugbynews.fr · tco.se · therugbypaper.co.uk · wru.wales · zonacalciofaidate.it

This summary has been updated 10 times: see revision history