NICK CAIN

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The Italian Job, or Rugby Union’s version of it, in the shape of a 20-year uncompetitive Azzurri team, is in danger of pulling a treasure trove like the Six Nations over the cliff-face. It is a situation which would not have been tolerated for this long in most professional sports without a serious rescue attempt.
Italy’s lack of progress is reflected in a declining rather than improving win rate. From their admission in 2000 until 2015, although Italy have been perpetual tail-enders, there were only five seasons in which the Azzur...