Italy U20 v Ireland U20, Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Italy U20 (15) 15
Tries: Drago, Gaiolo-Serra Cons: Cieli Pens: Celi
Ireland U20 (0) 12
Tries: Walker, Wood Cons: Wisniewski
Player of the Match: Federico Zanandrea
Italy got off to a flying start through Giacomo Milano and his teammates, with Pietro Celi slotting an early penalty. However, the hosts were soon down to 14 men after Nicolò Michele Corvasce was shown a yellow card.
Despite the setback, Roberto Santamaria’s side quickly extended their lead beyond a double-score margin. Alessandro Drago crossed first, finishing off a full-length counterattack from a stolen lineout, before Alessio Caiolo-Serra added another try following a charged-down kick from Ireland. After a powerful carry from Nelson Casartelli, the replacement hooker—on for Corvasce—dotted down under the posts.
Celi converted the second try, giving Italy a 15-0 lead at the break.
Ireland responded early in the second half, with hooker Henry Walker scoring from a five-metre lineout drive. However, difficult weather conditions led to a scrappy contest, with frequent handling errors.
Italy suffered another yellow card, this time for Anthony Miranda, and Ireland took advantage. Tom Wood—son of former Ireland international Keith Wood—crossed for their second try, with the conversion narrowing the gap to 15-12.
As the match wore on, Italy struggled to maintain their intensity, losing possession and territory. Ireland came agonisingly close to a winning try in the 65th minute, but a TMO review spotted obstruction in the build-up, denying them the lead.
In the final moments, with the clock in the red, an Irish knock-on sealed Italy’s victory. The 15-12 win marked a landmark moment for the Azzurrini, as they defeated the last remaining team they had never beaten in the U20 Six Nations.
REACTION
Italy head coach Roberto Santamaria: "We’re obviously delighted with the result and to finish the tournament on a high with two strong performances. It’s a credit to the work put in over the past six weeks by the entire staff—special thanks to Andrea (Marcato) and Alessandro (Lodi), as well as the fitness staff, medical team, and everyone involved.
"We had some missteps earlier in the tournament, but today we showed real character, especially in the first half, playing the game we wanted and managing territory and possession well. In the second half, we struggled to control the tempo, and Ireland came back at us, but we dug deep. Even when we were under pressure, we showed our resilience and fighting spirit. The emotional response from the team was fantastic, and we demonstrated real tenacity, both in the final play and throughout our defensive efforts."*
Italy U20: 15. Gianmarco Pietramala (Unione Rugby Firenze), 14. Alessandro Drago (Mogliano Veneto Rugby), 13. Federico Zanandrea (Mogliano Veneto Rugby), 12. Edoardo Todaro (Northampton Saints Academy), 11. Malik Faissal (Rugby Parma FC 1931), 10. Pietro Celi (Livorno Rugby), 9. Niccolò Beni (Biarritz Olympique); 1. Christian Brasini (Livorno Rugby), 2. Nicolò Michele Corvasce (SS Lazio Rugby 1927), 3. Bruno Vallesi (Rugby Viadana 1970), 4. Mattia Midena (Rugby Country), 5. Tommaso Redondi (Verona Rugby), 6. Anthony Italo Miranda (Rugby Country), 7. Nelson Casartelli (Rugby Country), 8. Giacomo Milano (Captain, Rugby Noceto FC),
Replacements: 16. Alessio Caiolo-Serra (Stade Olympique Chambérien Rugby), 17. Sergio Pelliccioli (Rugby Petrarca), 18. Nicola Bolognini Rugby Badia 1981), 19. Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi (Bath Rugby Academy), 20. Carlo Antonio Bianchi (Unione Rugby Firenze), 21. Matteo Bellotto (Mogliano Veneto Rugby), 22. Roberto Fasti (Rugby Casale), 23. Riccardo Ioannucci (Rugby Petrarca)
Ireland U20: 15. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), 14. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster), 13. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), 11. Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), 9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), 1. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), 3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 6. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 7. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster), 8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(captain)
Replacements: 16. Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster), 17. Paddy Moore (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 19. Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster), 20. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), 21. Chris O’Connor (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 22. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 23. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster).