Italy determined to ‘make it right’ after Rugby World Cup as belief still there ahead of Six Nations opener with England

Italy back-rower Sebastian Negri is relishing the opportunity to banish their Rugby World Cup hurt and “make it right” against the likes of first-up opponents England.

The Azzurri will be under the tutelage of new head coach Gonzalo Quesada in 2024 as he takes over from Kieran Crowley on the back of a disappointing global tournament.

Sizeable losses to New Zealand and France at the Rugby World Cup took the wind out of Italy‘s sails as they had gone into the competition with their tails up after solid form.

Promising couple of years

Indeed, confidence was high after beating Wales and Australia in 2022 before they had near misses in the 2023 Six Nations when facing strong France and Scotland teams.

“The World Cup hurt, it really hurt. It was a setback but the good thing is we’ve got the opportunity to make it right against some of the best teams in the world,” Negri said.

Italy’s victory in Wales in 2022 ended a 36-game losing run in the Six Nations but that was their last tournament win, as Negri admits that results haven’t been good enough.

“It’s a tough tournament for us but what keeps us going is the belief that we can get the results we want,” he added.

“It’s hard. Judged on results, it is what it is at the end of the day. We have a responsibility in the Six Nations to get a couple of results and to keep on building on what we’ve built over the last 12-18 months.

“We had a few setbacks at the World Cup but we’ve come a long way in the way we play and we’re hoping to have a good, balanced Six Nations.

“We want to keep building because we’re on to something special, we have a really good group of young players who are gaining more and more experience.

“I wouldn’t be playing international rugby if I didn’t believe in the process we are going through.”

Kicking off this year’s Six Nations with a home triumph over England would be seen as a shock result, but a dangerous Italy can’t be written off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Need a balanced approach

Negri, whose Benetton side has been in superb form this season in the United Rugby Championship and Challenge Cup, is aware of the task at hand as they look to prevail.

“England are a physical side with a really good set-piece and kicking game. We’ll have to match that and not go off the boil and start chucking the ball around,” said the flank.

“We need a balanced approach and if we underestimate them we’re in trouble. They showcased what they can do at the World Cup. They maybe don’t play the prettiest brand of rugby but they get results and that’s what counts.”

READ MORE: Six Nations preview: Italy’s woes to continue despite having new coach in their ranks