Italy are making all the right noises, with young star Ross Vintcent telling us earlier this week "we are not the wooden spoon holders any more - we are here to compete". And so they are. Italy had their best ever finish this year in the Guinness Men's Six Nations (including a draw against France and victory against Wales), and bounced back from a surprising summer loss to Samoa with wins against Tonga and Japan.
Now they're taking their Autumn Nations Series campaign on something of a tour, playing in the homes of Serie A teams Udinese, Genoa and Juventus. So how will they fare? With their squad recently announced, let's delve into their opponents this November.
Italy v Argentina, Saturday 9th November (17:40 GMT)
It may surprise some to learn that the history of meetings between these two nations - which have strong cultural ties - is a decidedly one-sided affair. Argentina have won 17 of their 23 meetings, with Italy claiming only five. In fact, since the Azzurri last defeated the Pumas in 2008, they've lost eight on the bounce. Could all that change with an Argentinean of their own, Gonzalo Quesada, now at the helm? If Italy are a team on the rise, then we may need to think of an even more positive word for Argentina, who defeated every team in this year's Rugby Championship for the first time ever. A team that's already beaten South Africa and New Zealand this year will certainly fancy their chances on Italian soil.
Italy v Georgia, Sunday 17th November (13:40)
Only a few years ago, this fixture would have gone under the radar of most fans not of an Italian or Georgian persuasion. Today, however, it is imbued with an almost existential quality. Past talk of promotion-relegation has been a thinly-veiled reference to Italy-Georgia. With a win this November, the Azzurri will go some way to proving they are a cut above the pretenders to the throne, while a Georgian victory will only add to the clamour for them to receive a more permanent status somewhere, having won the Rugby Europe Championship this year for the seventh consecutive year. When Georgia beat Italy in Batumi in the summer of 2022, it was their first win against a Six Nations side. They quickly followed it up with something even more impressive: beating Wales in Cardiff the following November in the Autumn Nations Series. Italy can ill-afford any slip-ups here.
Italy v New Zealand, Saturday 23rd November (20:10)
If it's hard to envision anything but an All Blacks win here, it's worth remembering that there's a first for everything - and that includes playing a Test match at the home of Juventus. One thing's for certain: Italy's pack will be more than ready for the challenge after matches against scrummaging-loving Argentina and Georgia. Cynics may propose that, if Italy can win their first two games, this one is a free hit. But, for the hosts, overcoming the brutal hangover from their 96-17 loss to the All Blacks at the World Cup last year will be vital. They will need to put on a good show if playing in these new venues is part of expanding their reach to new audiences.
