“Italy’s place in the Six Nations is not in question”. : rugbyunion

Marzio Innocenti: “Italy’s place in the Six Nations is not in question”

FIR president clarified the situation of relations between Italy and the Six Nations Board, silencing rumors of a possible Italian exit

Marzio Innocenti: Italy’s place in the Six Nations is not in question – Ph. S. Pessina

On Monday, a meeting was held between the press and the staff of the Italian Federation, represented by the President Marzio Innocenti, the Head of the high level Franco Smith and the head coach of the Italian national team Kieran Crowley who exhibited the current moment of blue rugby and answered many questions from journalists.

One of the most important questions – raised by us at Onrugby – was that linked to the presence of Italy in the Six Nations, since we wanted to understand the veracity of the rumors (which perhaps it would be better to define legends , one of the many that circulate in the Six Nations) . environment) according to which in 2024 there could be a possible revision of the agreement between the Championship and Italy. Regarding this possibility, the Federal President Marzio Innocenti was clear: “It is absolutely not true that there can be this possibility”.

Equally clear is the position on the future of Italy within the Six Nations: “There is no danger that the Italian national team will leave the tournament. Removing a Union from the Championship is a process that requires a process of no less than 15 years, unless a unanimity of votes is clearly practically impossible to achieve (since the FIR should vote for its own exclusion, ed) “.

Continuing, Innocenti added an international feedback: “Nobody wants Italy to leave the Six Nations, on the contrary they are all interested in having it within it and in the fact that it becomes more and more competitive. In these first eight months of presidency in all my direct relations with the other members of the Six Nations Board it is always clear that, also as a consequence of the agreement with CVC, the Italian market is too important for the development of the whole Championship ” .

In addition to the fact that, we add, Italy in the Tournament also applies to all the other 5 teams, so many more income from tickets, television rights, sponsorships, merchandising, etc.