If Italy are not all washed up as a permanent member of the Six Nations elite –a sporting society so exclusive, it makes the Hurlingham Club look like a welfare institute – they are surely drifting in on the tide.
The last time the Azzurri tasted victory in a tournament that never tires of labelling itself the “greatest in the world”, England’s top brass were still united in the belief that Sam Burgess was the answer to all their prayers. Yes, it was that long ago.
Since their 2015 win at Murrayfield, the Italians have lost 32 straight by an average score of 41-13, and have harvested the g...