# Italy women's national rugby coaching and WXV performance > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-womens-national-rugby-coaching-transition > Updated: 2026-10-24T21:59:58.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 11. 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). ## Claims - South Africa defeated Italy 41-29 in a WXV Global Series rugby match. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Alyssa D’Incà scored two tries for Italy during the match. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Anushka Groenewald scored two tries for South Africa. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The match took place in Fontanafredda. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The game was the second match of the WXV Global Series. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Italy's Mascie Jelic and Laura Foscato were forced to withdraw due to muscle issues. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: 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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-defeat-italy-54-24-in-wxv-global-series-rugby ### 2026-10-22: 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. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-national-teams-compete-in-handball-and-rugby ### 2026-10-18: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/usa-womens-eagles-defeat-italy-36-27-in-wxv-global-series ### 2026-10-14: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/usa-womens-rugby-to-face-italy-in-wxv-series-match-in-texas ### 2026-10-12: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-rugby-squad-named-for-wxv-tour-in-usa ### 2026-10-10: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-rugby-squad-named-for-wxv-series-in-usa ### 2026-09-26: 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. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-defeats-italy-41-29-in-wxv-global-series-rugby ### 2026-09-23: 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. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-rugby-prepares-for-south-africa-match ### 2026-09-19: 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. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-rugby-defeats-japan-55-21-in-wxv-global-series ### 2026-09-17: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-womens-rugby-sciamanna-focuses-on-attack-and-long-term-goals ### 2026-08-27: 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. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plinio-sciamanna-appointed-head-coach-of-italy-womens-rugby --- Cite as: Italy women's national rugby coaching and WXV performance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-womens-national-rugby-coaching-transition