Italy will probably get duffed up again by the English in the Six Nations today. 16 years on from their first Six Nations they don't seem to have made any progress.
Time surely to consider playoffs or promotion and relegation. Doesn't seem fair on Georgia - or Romania even - to deny them at least the chance
It couldn't be any worse.
Peter not sure why you think anyone with Ukrainian connections would want to shoot anyone English.
Ukraine not quite ready for the step up I think.
Also I don't recall mentioning Kazakhstan :-)
But year after year it's the five nations plus Italy and occasionally they bag a win or even two wins and then it's back to square one again.
If Georgia were occasionally to be given the chance it would no doubt be the same, but at least there'd be some variety, and who knows ...
I don't agree that Italy have made great strides: occasionally they have a good year, but some of their results pre-Six nations were comparable to some of their results now.
I reckon in a couple of years this issue may be kicked around - so to speak
Well I am an Ireland supporter so I am biased but I would have to save that Robshaw would not be my favourite player. I'm sure he isn't the only rugby captain who is 'mouthy' with referees but it was noticeable against Wales.
Anyway, Italy will probably go and beat England now after all I've said and Robshaw will get the push :-)
The rot set n when France were invited to join in 1910. Mind you, I wasn't too keen that Scotland, Wales and Ireland were among the participants prior to that. :-)
Italy have avoided last place 5 times since they joined the competition. Given that two of those years are fairly recent (2012 & 2013) perhaps they're getting better?