In Calvisano the Azzurrini – who had already beaten Spain in the first test – won 24-19. There is great confidence towards the debut on 27 June against Scotland
What a coup from Italy under 20. In Calvisano the Azzurrini beat England 24-19 in the last test of preparation for the category World Cup, which will be played in Georgia from 27 June and will see Andrea Di Giandomenico’s boys engaged in a tough group with Scotland, Japan and New Zealand. The Italy under 20s play a great match, driven by the brace of an amazing David Luisato (benetton jewel) and repeat the success of the first test against Spain, beaten 55-27 in Gubbio. It is therefore the third success in a row for the Azzurrini, who had beaten Wales in March on the last day of the under-20 Six Nations and who will go to Georgia with great confidence, after a very complicated start to 2026.
sprint start
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Italy starts off strong straight away: Varotto’s acceleration opens up an initial gap in the middle of the pitch, then Luisato receives from a standing start and with a sprinter’s shot opens the throttle, splits the English defensive line in two and gives the Azzurrini the lead. England appears reasonably well packed and in the 26th minute the midfielder combines the mix: Friday and Shields don’t understand each other, Falchetto intercepts the ball and serves it immediately to the usual Luisato, who can unleash himself in the open field and they see him again directly after the goal line. It’s 12-0 with Braga’s conversion. England have only one weapon to do harm, the maul, and they use it well, because in the 29th minute Staples steers a great advance by the English and closes the gap for 12-5. However, Italy has many opportunities, and wastes them because the only thing that doesn’t work as it should in a perfect first half is the throw-in, and they go into half-time “only” at +7.
question and answer
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In the second half Italy seemed to be able to close out the match, because after a minute Braga found another hole in the middle of the pitch (a specialty of the home of Andrea di Giandomenico’s teams, who love to remove references from their opponents in order to open up as much space as possible) and flew to the flag for the 17-5. Everything seems to be in control, but 5 minutes of blackout is enough to ruin everything. England closes the gap in the 52nd minute with the usual maul action, then Shields widens for Pater who beats Rossi in speed and scores to make it 17-12, then in the 55th minute the Azzurrini mix it up: great kick from Pater to find a throw-in in Italy’s 22, the Italian defense falls asleep and Winters can quickly beat Pater himself, who serves Lilley for the opening goal. The first and only of the English. At 17-19 Italy wakes up and does so with its captain, Riccardo Casarin, with a somewhat similar action: free kick won after an English foul in a throw-in, the Italian sees the English defense exposed and takes it quickly, going on to score with a nice acceleration. Newly substitute Fasti extends the lead with the conversion to 24-19. The ending is painful, but relative, because Italy shows off a great defense: above all Falchetto, who with a minute left to play wins the turnover that closes the score. Andretti kicks out and Calvisano is celebrating. And if this is Italy, there will be fun at the World Cup.
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