IN THE first four of Leonardo Ghiraldini’s Test appearances against England (2008-2013), Italy managed to get a losing bonus point from the fixture. How they would love something similar this weekend.
Since the last of those close encounters, it has been oneway traffic with England steamrollering the Azzurri by an average of 32 points per game in Six Nations contests.
While now-retired hooker Ghiraldini was pleased with certain aspects of Italy’s play in their 37-10 defeat to France in round one, he has identified several key areas where they will need to improve if they are to avoid another...