Apparently, Italy played two matches at the weekend. The "second" team played against Scotland in Italy whilst the "first" team were taking part in the Mediteranean Cup in Sydney!!!!

There was two players in the Italian team that play for NRL teams, West tigers, and i assume, Newcastle.

No there wasn't, they didn't turn up. Read my original post.

Next years games need to be in Belfast and Dublin, I'm not sure where the Logic was in putting the game in Tullamore with a hurling game going on that the same time.

But anyway great win for Ireland sets us up nicely for playing Wales which should be a cracker.

I thought it was Tiziano Franchini and not the coach who said he wanted to play better opposition. Either way I think he was well within his rights. There seems to be some confusion here as it's being suggested that he wanted to play temas better than the Scots. He actually said that he'd like to play better opposition [isuch as Scotland[/i rather than Germany and the Czech Republic, both of whom were beaten by Italy this summer.

i got thrashed @ the gym yesterday ,now i know how the italians feel lololo..

Yes, it does seem a bit stupid to play it where they did. They'd have been better playing in Serbia. 500 for an international is shocking.

I was under the impression someone was suggesting the Italian coach was saying he wanted better opposition (than the Scots) before the game. Probably got it wrong. Well I hope so anyway, because the guy must be insane otherwise.

As for the format, I think they should just stick to five nations rather than having six in two groups. Start it on the same weekend as the 4N warm-up (with the team that has a bye that weekend playing England in the warm-up game). Finish on the same weekend as the 4N Final, bringing the international calendar to a close.

France, Ireland, Lebanon, Scotland, Wales in 2010.
2011, replace the team promoted to the 4N with the team that wins the Euro Shield.
2012, World Cup Qualifiers.
Everyone gets two home games. No final, meaning teams can promote their home games as must win games. (I don't see why EVERY competition needs a final).

[url=http://www.rugbyleague.com/video-player/57Special video feature - Italy v Scotland[/url

Nice vid chief, sounded positive from the scottish bloke re: their domestic comp

I like the Italian playing jersey, shame there is probably no where you can pick one up from.

Same with the Catalonia shirt

While blow out scores are not good , everybody has to start somewhere , the current set up of european cup and pacific cup is well structured to be able to bring in any new interested partys , it must continue , hopefully money will become available to continue development and someway can be found to bring some of these players to france/england to further develop their skills

Great post. More or less nailed what I think. The RFL have qouta exemptions for any players from developing nations. One of the Serbian lads plays at Whitehaven and one of the Italian players is at Lyon. It's a start.

It's a great idea. As much as I'd like it to happen, we'll still be full of clogging Aussies who never made it than developing our own, and the smaller nations, talent.

That's where the RFL and the clubs need to get together to limit the number of Australian/New Zealand imports.

You got a pic of it?

Prefer the Ireland one though.

Not a bad strip

Is anyone really suprised by how bad the Italians are??

Take a look at the links below they got tonked by BARLA under 23's twice when they toured in 2007.

What is the point of them having an international team, no domestic competition and a team full of union players or aussies??

Need to start at grassroots level first.

[urlhttp://www.barla.org.uk/News/Details.asp?id=841[/url

[urlhttp://www.barla.org.uk/News/Details.asp?id=848[/url

Unfortunately we can't seem to stop the Aussies on European passports....that's the problem.

Something that the clubs and RFL need to work on.

I'm hoping they are showing the Pacific and Euroewhatever Cup on that Bigpond Channel. It was handy to have for the world cup qualifiers.

Without a doubt the best way to build any sport is at the bottom , however having the potential for national representation can be a definate plus when trying to get that grass roots involvement started