The Italy national rugby union team, nicknamed Gli Azzurri, represents Italy in men's international rugby union. They are administered by Italian Rugby Federation (FIR). Savoy blue is the common colour of the national teams representing Italy, as it is the traditional colour of the royal House of Savoy which reigned over the Kingdom of Italy from 1860 to 1946.
Italy has played international rugby since 1929, and for decades was considered one of the best European teams outside the Five Nations Championship. Since 2000, Italy has competed annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2013, they were holders of the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy which is played annually between Italy and France. Italy is ranked 10th in the world by the IRB .
Italian rugby rose to prominence in 2000 when it was added to the Five Nations, creating the Six Nations. Initially on the receiving end of some heavy defeats, as their 'golden generation' led by Diego Dominguez had aged out just before their ascension to the competition, the side grew in competitiveness. Following a period in the doldrums in which their continued participation was questioned, in 2022 the team beat Wales for their first win in 36 games. Italy has also since defeated Scotland and England, with New Zealand being the only major team Italy has yet to beat.
Italy have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the first tournament in 1987, where Italy played the inaugural game against New Zealand, but they are yet to progress beyond the first round. The team has developed a reputation for being a consistent 'middle man' at the tournament. Italy's results, since the inception of a new group stage formula in 2003, have consistently followed a pattern of two comfortable wins against Tier 2 teams and two comfortable losses against Tier 1 ones (although in 2019, the match against New Zealand was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis and a draw was awarded as result).
From 2026, as a Six Nations team, the Italians will compete biennially in a third competition, the Nations Championship, replacing summer and end-of-year international rugby matches with a structured cross-continental competition.
The current head coach is Gonzalo Quesada and the captain is currently Michele Lamaro.
History
Early history: 1911–1934
The first match played by an Italian XV was in 1911 between US Milanese and Voiron of France. On 25 July of the same year the "Propaganda Committee" was formed which in 1928 became the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) (Italian Rugby Federation).
In May 1929, Italy played their first international losing 0–9 against Spain in Barcelona.
In 1934, Italy was one of the founder members of FIRA, today's Rugby Europe; the others were France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Catalonia, Romania, Holland and Germany.
1945–1985
thumb|left|Lineup of the Italy national rugby union team vs [[France national rugby union team|France, 1975]]
World War II meant a hiatus for Italian rugby union, as it did in other rugby-playing nations. Post-war, there was a desire to return to normal and Italian rugby union entered a new dimension thanks to the help of Allied troops in Italy.
In the 1970s and 1980s rugby union made enormous progress thanks to great foreign players (John Kirwan, Naas Botha, David Campese, Michael Lynagh) and coaches (Julien Saby, Roy Bish, Greenwood, Nelie Smith) in the Italian championship. Even foreign coaches were and continue to be chosen for the national team, like Bertrande Fourcade and Georges Coste. In 1973, the national team went on a tour of South Africa, coached by ex-Springbok prop Amos Du Plooey. Tours of England and Scotland followed, as well as games against Australia and New Zealand, the masters of their day. In 1978, Italy first played Argentina at Rovigo, winning 19–6.
1986–1999
From the mid-1980s, Italy had been pursuing the ambition of playing in an expanded Five Nations Championship. Consistently winning against nations that now play in the European Nations Cup (Romania, Spain, Georgia, etc.), and good results against the major nations such as France, Scotland, Wales and Ireland meant that they were often talked as strong candidates.
In 1986, Italy hosted an England XV squad in Rome, drawing 15–15. The Azzurri took part in the first-ever Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand on 22 May 1987. The match proved a one-sided affair with New Zealand convincing 70–6 winners against a young Italy side. John Kirwan, later to become the Italy national coach, scored one of the tournament's greatest-ever tries for the All Blacks. Italy beat Fiji but lost to Argentina and finished third in their pool, failing to make the finals. In 1988, they played Ireland for the first time.
At the 1991 World Cup, Italy were grouped in a tough pool with England and the All Blacks. They lost both of these games but beat the United States. Italy first played Wales in 1994. At the 1995 World Cup in South Africa, Italy came close to beating England; losing 20–27, but recovered to beat Argentina. They finished third in their pool again below England and Western Samoa, but above the Argentines.
thumb|left|upright|The current badge on the Italy jersey
The late 1990s saw the Italians build a formidable side and record Test victories over Five Nations opposition. In 1996, a deal between British Sky Broadcasting and the Rugby Football Union meant that England home games were exclusively shown on Sky. England were threatened with being expelled from the Five Nations to be replaced by Italy. This threat was never carried out as a deal was worked out.
In 1996, Italy toured England, Wales and for the first time Scotland, losing all matches. The team recorded two consecutive victories over Ireland in 1997; 37–29 on 4 January, at Lansdowne Road, and 37–22 on 20 December, in Bologna. On 22 March 1997 they recorded their first win over France, 40–32, (in Grenoble). In January 1998, Scotland were the victims with Italy winning 25–21 (in Treviso); in the same year in the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers, they narrowly lost 15–23 against England at Huddersfield, but they argued for a try by Alessandro Troncon disallowed by the referee.
At the 1999 World Cup, Italy were drawn with New Zealand for the third time and lost again. They did not win a single pool match and exited the tournament at the pool stage.
Six Nations era: 2000–present
thumb|Italy vs the New Zealand [[All Blacks at the San Siro with a record 80,000 sellout crowd, November 2009]]
Italy finally joined the Six Nations Championship in 2000 but their admission coincided with the departure of some of their best players. Nevertheless, they won their opening game against the reigning champions Scotland 34–20. Thereafter they struggled to compete against the other nations and their participation was called into question. The 2001 and 2002 tournaments were particularly disappointing as they did not win a single game. Coach Brad Johnstone was sacked in 2002 after an alleged show of 'player power'.
John Kirwan was then appointed coach. They managed to win their second Six Nations game in 2003, a 30–22 victory over Wales, thus avoiding the wooden spoon. They followed up by winning two games at the World Cup, another first. The tournament was, however, ultimately disappointing as the Welsh gained revenge with a 27–15 success. This, coupled with defeat against New Zealand, meant that Italy were the only Six Nations country not to advance to the knock-out stage. Their third Six Nations win came against Scotland in 2004.
Italy, along with other nations, had made good use of IRB rules which allowed them to select foreign-born players if they had Italian ancestry or had lived in Italy for a qualifying period of three years. From 2004, they announced that they would only pick three such 'non-Italians' per team in order to develop their own domestic players.
In the 2005 Six Nations Italy finished bottom of the table again and failed to win a single game. Kirwan was sacked and replaced with Pierre Berbizier. Italy then went on a tour of Argentina where they surprised many by beating the Pumas 30–29 and drawing the series 1–1 (the only 2005 victory of a Northern Hemisphere team visiting a Southern Hemisphere team). However, the Pumas had their revenge when they visited Genoa and beat Italy 39–22.
thumb|Italy contesting a lineout with [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland during the 2012 Six Nations]]
In the 2006 Six Nations Championship Italy performed strongly against every team, leading against both England and France in the first half, but lost their first three games. They did, however, get a creditable 18–18 draw away to Wales, their first away point in the tournament, and were unlucky not to draw with Scotland in Rome in the final game, losing 10–13 courtesy of a late Scottish penalty.
In the 2007 Six Nations Championship, Italy started poorly, losing to France 3–39. However, Italy's performance improved, and they held England to a 20–7 result at Twickenham. Italy followed with a stunning start to their match at Murrayfield against Scotland, scoring three quick tries to give Italy a 21–0 lead after seven minutes, and the Azzurri went on to a 37–17 victory; their first-ever away win in the Six Nations. Italy's next match was against Wales in Rome, with Italy winning 23–20, for their first consecutive victories in the competition and help them achieve their highest-ever position in the competition. The domestic interest in rugby reached new heights with Italy's new success front page media coverage and the sport being held up as a model of fair play. Media and public interest in the national team was very high during the side's newfound success and on the final day a win could have seen them win their first ever six nations tournament. They needed a large win over ireland and other results to go their way. Italy were only 1 point behind at half time before they fell away in the 2nd half eventually losing 24–43. In the summer tests they lost to South Africa but again managed to surprise 3rd ranked Argentina with a 13–12 victory. At the 2008 end of year tour Italy pushed the Wallabies in their clash in Padova, but the Australians eventually went on to win 30–20. A week later Italy were defeated by Argentina, 14–22.
Italy's 2009 Six Nations campaign was ill-fated almost from the beginning, with both scrum-halves ruled out of the competition before a ball was kicked, and a third alternative ruled out of the opener at England due to injury. Head coach Nick Mallett tried flanker Mauro Bergamasco at scrum-half. Mallett's gamble failed in epic fashion, with Bergamasco's mistakes leading to three England tries before he was replaced at half-time; England went on to win 36–11. In week two Italy also put in a poor performance against Ireland losing 9–38. The two poor performances were followed by another loss to Scotland. The Azzurri were competitive in their 15–20 loss at the Flaminio to a Wales side resting many of its key players for the championship decider against Ireland the next week. Italy finished in last place for the second straight year after losing to France on the final weekend of the tournament.
In the 2010 Six Nations Championship, Italy were well beaten by Ireland 11–29 before narrowly losing to England and defeating Scotland. Italy were defeated in their last two matches against France and Wales.
thumb|Italian fans on their way to see Italy play Scotland at Murrayfield in the Six Nations Championship, 2013
Italy finished the 2011 Six Nations with a 1–4 record. In the opening match of the 2011 Six Nations, Italy was beaten by Ireland 11–13 at home, with Ireland scoring a drop goal less than two minutes before the final whistle. The Azzurri claimed a 22–21 home victory over the reigning Six Nations champions, France, gaining Italy's first win over France in a Six Nations game. At the final whistle, the English language commentator declared it the greatest win in Italian rugby history thus far.
Italy finished the 2012 Six Nations in fifth place with a 1–4 record, following a 13–6 win over Scotland before over 72,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Italy's 15–19 loss to England was their smallest margin of defeat. The championship also saw Italy lose to Wales, Ireland and France.
Italy played three matches in the 2012 November internationals, losing two and winning one. Italy lost to New Zealand and Australia 19–22, with Italian fly half Luciano Orquera missing a penalty in the last minute which would have secured Italy's first draw against Australia. Italy did manage a win in the series, beating Tonga 28–23.
Italy gained their second Six Nations win over France when they beat them 23–18 on their opening match of the 2013 Six Nations Championship. Three defeats by Scotland, Wales and England followed. On their final game of the championship Italy won against Ireland 22–15 for the first time in a Six Nations match in front of 75,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico. Overall Italy finished fourth, behind Scotland in third on points difference, to make it one of their most successful Six Nations. In November 2013, Italy hosted Australia at Turin for a 20–50 loss, then defeated Fiji 37–31 at Cremona and was defeated by Argentina 14–19 at Rome.
Italy were whitewashed at the 2014 Six Nations Championship, including a 20–21 home loss to Scotland, a 7–46 loss to Ireland and an 11–52 loss to England. In June the team made an Asia-Pacific tour, where they were defeated by Fiji, Japan and Samoa. In November they scored a home win to Samoa, a two-point loss to Argentina and another loss to South Africa.
In the 2015 Six Nations Championship, Italy took a 22–19 away win over Scotland to avoid the wooden spoon, but suffered heavy home losses to France and Wales. At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, they defeated Romania and Canada but lost to Ireland and France, repeating their performance of the previous three editions.
After another poor performance in 2016, losing all their Six Nations matches, Italy hired former Ireland international and Harlequin F.C. coach Conor O'Shea to coach the team; with him they also hired IRFU developmental director Stephen Aboud to direct youth programs aimed at strengthening the level of rugby in the country. In June, Italy lost to Argentina and won over the United States and Canada. On 19 November, Italy achieved a famous upset victory by defeating South Africa 20–18 which was Italy's first win against the Springboks in 13 attempts at Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. This victory also marked their first win over one of the three big Southern Hemisphere nations (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa).
thumb|right|Italy players singing [[Il Canto degli Italiani before their Test match against Australia in 2017]]
Italy lost all their matches in the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Six Nations tournaments.
thumb|right|325px|The Italian team ahead of their [[2024 end-of-year rugby union internationals#8/9/10 November|2024 clash with Argentina]]
In their final match of the 2022 Six Nations Championship, Italy earned a historic victory over Wales, snapping a 36 match losing streak. They scored a try in the 80th minute with the conversion being the final act in the match as Gli Azzurri went on to win by a single point (22–21), at the Principality Stadium on 19 March 2022. Italy narrowly missed out on victory when Paolo Garbisi's penalty hit the post after the ball had accidentally fallen off the kicking tee. This was Italy's first victory against Scotland in nine years and 12 years after their last victory on Italian soil against a British side. The 2024 campaign was Italy's best performance since the 2013 tournament during which they won two matches, against the French and then the Irish. These feats are all the more impressive given that Italy were pummelled by France at the last World Cup, and narrowly missed out on beating England in their opening match (24–27 defeat in Rome). Italy rounded off their tournament with a last-gasp victory over Wales (24–21), as they did 2 years ago, and for the first time since 2015 avoided last place. The win also represents the Italians' 4th away victory in the history of the competition, the 2nd time at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but above all it gives Gonzalo Quesada's men their best result since the integration of Italy 24 years earlier (2 wins and a draw for only 2 defeats).
The 2025 Six Nations Championship was more complicated for Italy, who won just one match, at home to Wales (22–15), and lost every other game, including a very heavy home defeat to France, winners of the competition (24–73), the heaviest defeat in their history at home to Les Bleus. Nonetheless, the home win over the Red Dragons enabled Gli Azzurri to avoid last place in the standings and the wooden spoon for the 2nd year running, at the expense of the Welsh.
The 2026 Six Nations Championship saw Italy match its best-ever finishes from 2007 and 2013 by finishing in 4th place, thanks to two home wins against Scotland in the opener (18-15) and, most notably, against England (23-18) on the penultimate matchday, an opponent against whom they had always lost in previous encounters. However, the Squadra Azzurra failed to build on this historic victory and secure a third consecutive win in the tournament for the first time in its history, suffering a heavy defeat on the final matchday in Wales following a disappointing performance (31-17).
Wins against 'tier-one' teams
Wins against Tier 1 nations have included:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Date
!Home
!Score
!Away
!Place
!Competition
|-
|24 October 1978
|align=right|
|align=center| 19–6
|
|Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo
| 1978 Argentina tour of Great Britain, Ireland and Italy
|-
|6 May 1995
|align=right|
|align=center| 22–12
|
|Stadio comunale di Monigo, Treviso
|1995 Ireland tour of Italy
|-
|4 June 1995
|align=right|
|align=center| 25–31
|
|Buffalo City Stadium, South Africa
|1995 Rugby World Cup
|-
|3 January 1997
|align=right|
|align=center| 29–37
|
|Lansdowne Road, Dublin
|1997 Italy tour of Ireland
|-
|22 March 1997
|align=right|
|align=center| 32–40
|
|Stade Lesdiguières, Grenoble
|1995–1997 FIRA Trophy
|-
|20 December 1997
|align=right|
|align=center| 37–22
|
|Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna
|1997 Ireland tour of Italy
|-
|24 January 1998
|align=right|
|align=center| 25–21
|
|Stadio comunale di Monigo, Treviso
|1998 Scotland tour of Italy
|-
|7 November 1998
|align=right|
|align=center| 23–19
|
|Stadio Comunale Beltrametti, Piacenza
|1998 Argentina tour of Europe
|-
|5 February 2000
|align=right|
|align=center| 34–20
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2000 Six Nations Championship
|-
|15 February 2003
|align=right|
|align=center| 30–22
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2003 Six Nations Championship
|-
|6 March 2004
|align=right|
|align=center| 20–14
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2004 Six Nations Championship
|-
|11 June 2005
|align=right|
|align=center| 29–30
|
|Estadio Olímpico, Córdoba
|2005 Italy tour of Argentina
|-
|24 February 2007
|align=right|
|align=center| 17–37
|
|Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|2007 Six Nations Championship
|-
|10 March 2007
|align=right|
|align=center| 23–20
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2007 Six Nations Championship
|-
|15 March 2008
|align=right|
|align=center| 23–20
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2008 Six Nations Championship
|-
|28 June 2008
|align=right|
|align=center| 12–13
|
|Estadio Olímpico, Córdoba
|2008 Italy tour of Argentina and South Africa
|-
|27 February 2010
|align=right|
|align=center| 16–12
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2010 Six Nations Championship
|-
|12 March 2011
|align=right|
|align=center| 22–21
|
|Stadio Flaminio, Rome
|2011 Six Nations Championship
|-
|17 March 2012
|align=right|
|align=center| 13–6
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
|2012 Six Nations Championship
|-
|3 February 2013
|align=right|
|align=center| 23–18
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
|2013 Six Nations Championship
|-
|16 March 2013
|align=right|
|align=center| 22–15
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
|2013 Six Nations Championship
|-
|28 February 2015
|align=right|
|align=center| 19–22
|
|Murrayfield, Edinburgh
|2015 Six Nations Championship
|-
|19 November 2016
|align=right|
|align=center| 20–18
|
|Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
|2016 Autumn International
|-
|19 March 2022
|align=right|
|align=center| 21–22
|
|Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
|2022 Six Nations Championship
|-
|12 November 2022
|align=right|
|align=center| 28–27
|
|Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
|2022 Autumn International
|-
|26 August 2023
|align=right|
|align=center| 42–21
|
|Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
|2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up match
|-
|9 March 2024
|align=right|
|align=center| 31–29
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
|2024 Six Nations Championship
|-
|16 March 2024
|align=right|
|align=center| 21–24
|
|Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
|2024 Six Nations Championship
|-
|21 July 2024
|align=right|
|align=center| 14–42
|
|Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
|2024 Summer International
|-
|8 February 2025
|align=right|
|align=center| 22–15
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
|2025 Six Nations Championship
|-
|8 November 2025
|align=right|
|align=center| 26–19
|
|Bluenergy Stadium, Udine
| 2025 Quilter Nations Series
|-
|7 February 2026
|align=right|
|align=center| 18–15
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
| 2026 Six Nations Championship
|-
|7 March 2026
|align=right|
|align=center| 23–18
|
|Stadio Olimpico, Rome
| 2026 Six Nations Championship
|}
Furthermore, Italy drew 18–18 with Argentina in Lourdes, France on 22 October 1997, 18–18 with Wales in Cardiff on 11 March 2006, and 13–13 with France in Villeneuve d'Ascq on 25 February 2024.
Stadium and attendance
Before joining the Six Nations in 2000 Italy did not have a set stadium and played their home matches in various stadiums around Italy. From 2000 to 2011 Italy played all of their home Six Nations matches at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) announced, in January 2010, that the stadium would undergo an expansion, that will increase its capacity to 42,000. Continued delays to the start of construction meant that the revamp could not be completed in time for the 2012 Six Nations so all of Italy's home Six Nations games were moved to the Stadio Olimpico, also in Rome. The expansion of the Stadio Flaminio was originally promised to be complete by 2014. It was planned that upon completion of the renovation, the team would move back to the Stadio Flaminio, however little was achieved and as of September 2016 the stadium was still in a state of abandoned disrepair. More Italians are attending rugby union games and whereas before most of the fans at the Stadio Flaminio were away fans. Since moving to the Stadio Olimpico attendances have increased by huge numbers. Italy has drawn large crowds since 2008, particularly for Six Nations matches and for matches against New Zealand:
thumb|The [[Stadio Olimpico in Rome, current home of the Italian rugby team]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
|+ Highest attended home matches
|-
! Rank !! Attendance !! Opponent !! Date !! Venue
|-
| 1 || 80,074 || New Zealand || 14 November 2009 || San Siro (Milan)
|-
| 2 || 80,054 || Ireland || 16 March 2013 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 3 || 73,526 || Wales || 23 February 2013 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 4 || 73,000 || New Zealand || 17 November 2012 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 5 || 72,354 || Scotland || 17 March 2012 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 6 || 71,257 || England || 15 March 2014 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 7 || 70,000 || England || 14 February 2016 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 8 || 69,800 || Scotland || 9 March 2024 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 9 || 68,985 || England || 7 March 2026 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|-
| 10 || 68,981 || Ireland || 15 March 2025 || Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
|}
Strip
Italy traditionally plays in 'Savoy blue' jerseys, white shorts and Savoy blue stockings at home. although the team have also used an all 'Savoy blue' kit in some seasons, or dark blue shorts. Its away uniform consists of a uniform with the inverted colours. Both uniforms have on the chest the Scudetto, although until the 1990s the non-test Italian teams had the coat of arms of the Maritime republics on the jersey. Both uniforms commonly have some trim in the colours of the nations flag, green, white and red.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Period
!Kit manufacturer
!Shirt sponsor
|-
|1981–1989
|| Adidas
|rowspan=9|None
|-
|1990–1993
|| Lotto
|-
|1991 Rugby World Cup
|-
|1993–1995
|| Gilbert
|-
|1995 Rugby World Cup
|-
|1996–1997
|rowspan=2| Reebok
|-
|1997 European Nations Cup
|-
|1998–1999
||None
|-
|1999
|| Cotton Oxford
|-
|2000 Six Nations – 2000 mid-year internationals
| Canterbury
|rowspan=2|Alliance UniChem
|-
|2000 end-of-year internationals – 2002 mid-year internationals
|rowspan=3| Kappa
|-
|2002 end-of-year internationals – 2006 end-of-year internationals
||Jaguar
|-
|2007 Six Nations championship – 2012 mid-year internationals
|rowspan=3|Cariparma
|-
|2012 end-of-year internationals – 2017 mid-year internationals
|| Adidas
|-
|2017 end-of-year internationals – 2018 mid-year internationals
| rowspan="5" | Macron
|-
|2018 end-of-year internationals – 2021 end-of-year-internationals
|Cattolica Assicurazioni
|-
|2021 end-of-year internationals –
|Suzuki
|-
|2022 Six Nations Tournament –
|Bitpanda
|-
|2022 end-of-year internationals
|Vittoria Assicurazioni
|}
{|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
{|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
{|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
Awards
{| class="wikitable" style="width:40%; text-align:center;"
|-
!Competition !! !! !! !!Total
|-
|align=left|Olympic Games
|0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|align=left|Rugby World Cup
|0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
|align=left|European Nations Cup
|1 || 9 || 8 || 18
|-
! Total !! 1 !! 9 !! 8 !! 18
|}
Record
Overall
Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by an Italy national XV at test level up until 15 March 2026, updated after the match with .
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Opponent
! Played
! Won
! Lost
! Drawn
! Win %
! For
! Aga
! Diff
|-
| || 24 || 5 || 18 || 1 || % || 417 || 644 || −227
|-
| || 20|| 2 || 18 || 0 || % || 305 || 677 || −372
|-
| || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0% || 36 || 75 || −39
|-
| || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || % || 75 || 0 || +75
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 12 || 25 || −13
|-
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || % || 17 || 0 || +17
|-
| || 10 || 8 || 2 || 0 || % || 294 || 135 || +159
|-
| Catalonia || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || % || 10 || 8 || +2
|-
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 34 || 19 || +15
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 6 || 15 || −9
|-
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || % || 76 || 11 || +65
|-
| || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || % || 104 || 8 || +96
|-
| || 12 || 10 || 1 || 1 || % || 266 || 62 || +204
|-
| || 33 || 1 || 32 || 0 || 3% || 427 || 1,289 || −862
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 15 || 15 || +0
|-
| England B || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 9 || 21 || −12
|-
| England U23 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || % || 31 || 42 || −11
|-
| || 12|| 6 || 6 || 0 || % || 282 || 275 || +7
|-
| || 52 || 3 || 48 || 1 || % || 613 || 1,658 || −1,045
|-
| || 30 || 1 || 28 || 1 || % || 289 || 751 || −462
|-
| France Espoirs || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 18 || 21 || −3
|-
| || 4|| 3 || 1 || 0 || % || 98 || 84 || +14
|-
| || 6 || 2 || 4 || 0 || % || 27 || 54 || −27
|-
| || 39 || 4 || 35 || 0 || % || 568 || 1,374 || −806
|-
| || 10 || 8 || 2 || 0 || % || 325 || 181 || +144
|-
| || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || % || 55 || 46 || +9
|-
| || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || % || 26 || 15 || +11
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 12 || 28 || −16
|-
| || 8 || 6 || 2 || 0 || % || 184 || 52 || +132
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 24 || 28 || −4
|-
| || 6 || 4 || 2 || 0 || % || 247 || 110 || +137
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 3 || 23 || −20
|-
| || 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || % || 178 || 27 || +151
|-
| || 17 || 0 || 17 || 0 || 0% || 168 || 992 || −824
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 12 || 18 || −6
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 13 || 30 || −17
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 12 || 31 || −19
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 11 || 12 || −1
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 6 || 30 || −24
|-
| 24px|border|link=Pacific Islanders rugby union team Pacific Islanders || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 17 || 25 || −8
|-
| || 7 || 6 || 1 || 0 || % || 165 || 49 || +116
|-
| || 13 || 11 || 1 || 1 || % || 371 || 102 || +269
|-
| || 44 || 25 || 16 || 3 || % || 711 || 654 || +57
|-
| || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || % || 283 || 76 || +207
|-
| || 9 || 3 || 6 || 0 || % || 183 || 225 || −42
|-
| ||39 || 10 || 29 || 0 || % || 659 || 1,005 || −346
|-
| || 3 || 1 || 2 || 0 || % || 51 || 55 || −4
|-
| || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || % || 60 || 22 || +38
|-
| ||19 || 1 || 18 || 0 || % || 233 || 883 || −650
|-
| || 14 || 4 || 9 || 1 || % || 171 || 165 || +6
|-
| || 27 || 23 || 3 || 1 || % || 581 || 187 || +394
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 12 || 39 || −27
|-
| || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0% || 7 || 16 || −9
|-
| || 6 || 4 || 2 || 0 || % || 190 || 96 || +94
|-
| || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || % || 60 || 19 || +41
|-
| || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || % || 154 || 74 || +80
|-
| || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || % || 147 || 52 || +95
|-
| || 35 || 5 || 29 || 1 || % || 563 || 1,157 || −594
|-
| || 14 || 13 || 0 || 1 || % || 226 || 69 || +157
|-
| || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || % || 70 || 25 || +45
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total !! 575 !! 209 !! 351 !! 15 !! % !! 10,219 !! 13,881 !! –3,662
|}
Six Nations
Italy entered the International Championship in 2000 when it became the Six Nations, and made a positive start by winning their debut match 34–20 against Scotland. They finished fifth in 2003 above Wales in the final standings, having defeated them 30–22, and were again fifth the following year above Scotland, after beating them 20–14. In 2006, Italy drew with Wales 18–18 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Italy's first three Six Nations match victories, in 2000, 2003, and 2004, had been in front of a home crowd at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. However, on 24 February 2007, they defeated Scotland 37–17 at Murrayfield for their first away win in the competition, having taken advantage of multiple early errors by the home side and taking a 21–0 lead within 7 minutes. Two weeks later, they defeated Wales for the second time, 23–20 back in Rome. This was the first time that Italy had won two of their five games in the championship, and they finished the 2007 Six Nations Championship in fourth place.
Italy won the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy for the first time in 2011 with a close-fought 22–21 victory over France. Two years later, they lifted the trophy for a second time by defeating France 23–18. Italy also recorded a first Six Nations victory over Ireland in 2013, beating them 22–15, and equalling their best finish of fourth place in the final standings. On 28 February 2015, Italy achieved their second away win against Scotland, a tight 22–19 victory, and after a 36-match losing streak they won in Wales for the first time on 19 March 2022 by 22–21. Italy put in their best performance yet at the 2024 6 Nations tournament, with 2 wins (31–29 at home against Scotland, to win the Cuttitta Cup, and 24–21 away against Wales) and a draw (13–13 away against France).
, Italy have won 18 Six Nations matches: 9 of these against Scotland, 5 against Wales, two against France and one against Ireland and England respectively.
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align: center;"
|+
|-
! Year
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
! IRL
!
!
|-
!2000
|6th||1||0||4||106||228||−122
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2001
|6th||0||0||5||106||207||−101
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2002
|6th||0||0||5||70||183||−113
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2003
|5th||1||0||4||100||185||−85
| L || L || L ||W|| L
|-
!2004
|5th||1||0||4||42||152||−110
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2005
|6th||0||0||5||55||179||−124
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2006
|6th||0||1||4||72||125||−53
| L || L || L ||D|| L
|-
!2007
|4th||2||0||3||94||147||−53
| L || L || L ||W||W
|-
!2008
|6th||1||0||4||74||131||−57
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2009
| 6th||0||0||5||49||170||−121
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2010
|6th||1||0||4||69||137||−68
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2011
|6th||1||0||4||70||138||−68
|W|| L || L || L || L
|-
!2012
|5th||1||0||4||53||121||−68
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2013
|4th||2||0||3||75||111||−36
|W|| L ||W|| L || L
|-
!2014
|6th||0||0||5||63||172||−109
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2015
|5th||1||0||4||62||182||−120
| L || L || L || L ||W
|-
!2016
|6th||0||0||5||79||224||−145
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2017
|6th||0||0||5||50||201||−151
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2018
|6th||0||0||5||92||203||−111
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2019
|6th||0||0||5||79||167||−88
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2020
|6th||0||0||5||44||178||−134
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2021
|6th||0||0||5||55||239||−184
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2022
|6th||1||0||4||60||181||−121
| L || L || L || W || L
|-
!2023
|6th||0||0||5||89||149||−60
| L || L || L || L || L
|-
!2024
|5th||2||1||2||92||126||−34
| D || L || L || W || W
|-
!2025
|5th||1||0||4||106||188|| −82
| L || L || L || W || L
|-
!2026
|4th||2||0||3||79||117|| –38
| L || W || L || L || W
|-
! colspan="2" | Overall !! 18 !! 2 !! 115 !! 1,985 !! 4,541 !! -2556
! 2–1–24 !! 1–0–26 !! 1–0–26 !! 5–1–21 !! 9–0–18
|}
Rugby World Cup
Italy have competed at every Rugby World Cup since the competition's inception in 1987. Italy finished third in their pool at their first World Cup, defeating Fiji, but not making the finals. They did not make the finals in 1991, grouped in a tough pool with England and the All Blacks. At the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, they finished behind England and Western Samoa, but above Argentina in their pool.
In 1999 they did not make the finals, with their defeats by the All Blacks and Tonga. Italy won two pool games at the 2003 World Cup, defeating both Canada and Tonga, but lost to the All Blacks and Wales.
Italy played the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Pool C, against New Zealand, Scotland, Romania and Portugal (who had been beaten 83–0 by Italy in the qualifiers), with the goal of reaching the quarter finals for the first time. However, in the crucial group match against Scotland, Italy were undone by indiscipline. Chris Paterson kicked all of Scotland's points in an 18–16 victory, despite Italy crossing the line for the game's only try.
Nations Championship
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align: center;"
|+
|-
! Year
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
|-
!2026
|TBD||0||0||0||0||0||0
| – || – || – || – || -|| –
|-
! colspan="2" | Overall !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0
! 0-0-0 !! 0–0–0 !! 0-0-0 !! 0-0-0 !! 0-0-0 !! 0-0-0
|}
European championships
Before 2000, Italy was one of the leading European teams outside the Five Nations, along with Romania, and for a while the USSR.
Italy competed in the original European Championships from 1936 to 1938, but World War II meant that the tournament would not resume until 1952. Italy then competed in these tournaments from 1952 to 2000. Italy achieved only one victory, the 1995–97 FIRA Trophy.
{| border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" style="width:450px; border:1px solid #aaa;"
|- style="background:#ccf;"
|Team||First place||Second place||Third place
|- style="background:#fff;"
|||1||9||8
|}
Thirties wins
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width: 80%; text-align: center;"
|-
!width=5%|Year
!width=10%|Host city
!width=15%|Winner
!width=15%|Second place
!width=15%|Third place
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1936
|Berlin
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1937
|Paris
|
|
|
|}
The fifties: the European Cup, Italian positions
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width: 80%; text-align: center;"
|-
!width=6%|Year
!width=18%|Winner
!width=18%|Second place
!width=18%|Third place
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1952
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1954
|
|
|
|}
The Nations Cup 1966–73
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width: 80%; text-align: center;"
|-
!width=6%|Year
!width=18%|Winner
!width=18%|Second place
!width=18%|Third place
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1965/1966
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1966/1967
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1969/1970
|
|
|
|}
The FIRA Trophy 1974–97
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; width: 80%; text-align: center;"
|-
!width=6%|Year
!width=18%|Winner
!width=18%|Second place
!width=18%|Third place
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1974/1975
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1975/1976
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1976/1977
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1979/1980
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1981/1982
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1982/1983
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1983/1984
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1984/1985
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1990/1992
|
|
|
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|1992/1994
|
|
|
|- style="background: #efefef;"
|1995/1997
|
|
|
|}
Players
Current squad
On 21 January 2026, Italy named a 33-player squad for the 2026 Six Nations. On 26 January 2026, Marco Riccioni and Martin Page-Relo left the squad due to injury and Giosuè Zilocchi and Alessandro Garbisi replaced them. Edoardo Todaro got injured while training with the squad and left the camp.
Head coach: Gonzalo Quesada
- Caps updated: 7 February 2026 <small>(after Italy v Scotland)</small>
|}
Award winners
World Rugby Awards
The following Italy players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ World Rugby Player of the Year
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees
!width=160| Winners
|-
|align=center| 2008
| Sergio Parisse
|align=center rowspan=2| —
|-
|align=center| 2013
| Sergio Parisse (2)
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees
!width=160| Winners
|-
|align=center| 2022
| Ange Capuozzo
|align=center| Ange Capuozzo
|-
|}
Six Nations Player of the Championship
The following Italy players have been shortlisted for the Six Nations Player of the Championship since 2004:
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Six Nations Player of the Year (2004–07)
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees
!width=160| Winners
|-
|align=center rowspan=3| 2004
| Martín Castrogiovanni
|align=center rowspan=9| —
|-
| Andrea de Rossi
|-
| Sergio Parisse
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 2005
| Marco Bortolami
|-
| Alessandro Troncon
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 2006
| Mirco Bergamasco
|-
| Ramiro Pez
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 2007
| Marco Bortolami (2)
|-
| Carlos Nieto
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Six Nations Player of the Year (2008–14)
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees
!width=160| Winners
|-
|align=center| 2008
| Sergio Parisse (2)
|align=center rowspan=2| —
|-
|align=center| 2009
| Sergio Parisse (3)
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 2011
| Andrea Masi
|align=center rowspan=2| Andrea Masi
|-
| Fabio Semenzato
|-
|align=center| 2012
| Sergio Parisse (4)
|align=center rowspan=5| —
|-
|align=center rowspan=3| 2013
| Andrea Masi (2)
|-
| Sergio Parisse (5)
|-
| Alessandro Zanni
|-
|align=center| 2014
| Leonardo Ghiraldini
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Six Nations Player of the Year (2015–26)
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominees
!width=160| Winners
|-
|align=center| 2015
| Sergio Parisse (6)
|align=center rowspan=4| —
|-
|align=center| 2016
| Sergio Parisse (7)
|-
|align=center| 2017
| Sergio Parisse (8)
|-
|align=center| 2018
| Matteo Minozzi
|-
|align=center| 2024
| Tommaso Menoncello
|align=center| Tommaso Menoncello
|-
|align=center| 2025
| Tommaso Menoncello (2)
|align=center| —
|-
|align=center| 2026
| Tommaso Menoncello (3)
|align=center| TBD
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Six Nations Team of the Championship
|-
!width=40 rowspan=2| Year
!colspan=2| Forwards
!colspan=2| Backs
!width=40 rowspan=2| Total
|-
!width=40|
!width=160| Players
!width=40|
!width=160| Players
|-
|align=center| 2024
|align=center| 7.
| Michele Lamaro
|align=center| 12.
| Tommaso Menoncello
|align=center| 2
|-
|align=center| 2025
|align=center colspan=2| —
|align=center| 12.
| Tommaso Menoncello (2)
|align=center| 1
|-
|align=center rowspan=2| 2026
|align=center| 2.
| Giacomo Nicotera
|align=center rowspan=2| 13.
|rowspan=2| Tommaso Menoncello (3)
|align=center rowspan=2| 3
|-
|align=center | 3.
| Simone Ferrari
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Six Nations Try of the Championship
|-
!width=40| Year
!width=160| Nominee
!width=90| Match
!width=160| Winner
!width=30|
|-
|align=center| 2023
| Pierre Bruno
| vs. Ireland
|align=center| —
|align=center|
|-
|align=center| 2024
| Lorenzo Pani
| vs. Wales
|align=center| Lorenzo Pani
|align=center|
|-
|align=center| 2025
| Ross Vintcent
| vs. England
|align=center| —
|align=center|
|-
|}
Coaches
Current coaches
- Gonzalo Quesada (Head Coach)
- Richard Hodges (Defence)
- Andrea Moretti (Forwards)
- Philippe Doussy (Skills)
- Germán Fernández (Breakdown)
Coaching history
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Name
!From
!To
!P
!W
!D
!L
!% W/P
|-
|align="left"| Arnaldo Cortese<br> John Thomas
|20 May 1929
| –
|1
|0
|0
|1
|0
|-
|align="left"| Arturo Cameroni<br> Luigi Bricchi
|29 May 1930
| –
|1
|1
|0
|0
|100
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi
|1 November 1932
|26 December 1934
|4
|3
|0
|1
|75.00
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Julien Saby
|26 December 1934
|7 April 1935
|1
|1
|0
|0
|100
|-
|align="left"| Julien Saby
|7 April 1935
|14 May 1936
|2
|0
|0
|2
|0
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Michel Boucheron
|14 May 1936
|16 May 1936
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Julien Saby
|1 January 1937
|17 October 1937
|5
|2
|1
|2
|40.00
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi
|6 March 1938
|20 November 1938
|1
|0
|0
|1
|0
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Giuseppe Sessa
|20 November 1938
|19 March 1940
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Romano Bonifazi
|19 March 1940
|9 February 1941
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Franco Chiaserotti
|9 February 1941
|2 May 1942
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
|align="left"| Luigi Bricchi<br> Franco Chiaserotti
|2 May 1942
|
|1
|1
|0
|0
|100
|-
|align="left"| Tommaso Fattori
|18 May 1947
|27 March 1949
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Giorgio Briasco<br> Antonio Radicini
|27 March 1949
|26 February 1950
|2
|0
|0
|2
|0
|-
|align="left"| Romano Bonifazi
|26 February 1950
|29 July 1950
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
|align="left"| Francesco Vinci
|29 July 1950
|4 October 1950
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
|align="left"| Renzo Maffioli
|4 October 1950
|25 February 1951
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
|align="left"| Renzo Maffioli<br> Julien Saby
|25 February 1951
|1 August 1954
|9
|6
|0
|3
|66.67
|-
|align="left"| Piermarcello Farinelli<br> Aldo Invernici<br> Umberto Silvestri
|1 August 1954
|22 December 1956
|8
|5
|0
|3
|62.50
|-
|align="left"| Giulio Fereoli<br> Aldo Invernici<br> Umberto Silvestri
|22 December 1956
|8 December 1957
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Sergio Barilari<br> Aldo Invernici<br> Umberto Silvestri
|8 December 1957
|19 July 1958
|1
|0
|0
|1
|0
|-
|align="left"| Sergio Barilari<br> Mario Battaglini<br> Aldo Invernici
|19 July 1958
|10 April 1960
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Sergio Barilari<br> Romano Bonifazi
|10 April 1960
|22 April 1962
|4
|2
|0
|2
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Aldo Invernici
|22 April 1962
|8 December 1965
|7
|2
|0
|5
|28.57
|-
|align="left"| Sergio Barilari<br> Mario Martone
|8 December 1965
|28 October 1967
|7
|3
|1
|3
|42.86
|-
|align="left"| Aldo Invernici
|28 October 1967
|24 May 1970
|8
|7
|0
|1
|87.50
|-
|align="left"| Giordano Campice
|24 May 1970
|25 October 1970
|2
|2
|0
|0
|100
|-
|align="left"| Sergio Barilari
|25 October 1970
|10 April 1971
|3
|0
|0
|3
|0
|-
|align="left"| Guglielmo Geremia
|11 April 1971
|27 May 1971
|1
|0
|0
|1
|0
|-
|align="left"| Aldo Invernici
|28 May 1971
|19 February 1972
| –
| –
| –
| –
| –
|-
|align="left"| Umberto Levorato
|20 February 1972
|25 November 1972
|4
|1
|2
|1
|25.00
|-
|align="left"| Gianni Villa
|26 November 1972
|14 February 1975
|20
|6
|1
|13
|30.00
|-
|align="left"| Roy Bish
|15 February 1975
|1º April 1977
|15
|8
|1
|6
|53.33
|-
|align="left"| Isidoro Quaglio
|2 April 1977
|1º May 1977
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Gwyn Evans
|23 October 1977
|23 October 1978
|5
|1
|1
|3
|20.00
|-
|align="left"| Pierre Villepreux
|24 October 1978
|24 October 1981
|24
|10
|1
|13
|41.67
|-
|align="left"| Paolo Paladini<br> Marco Pulli
|25 October 1981
|9 November 1985
|28
|16
|2
|10
|57.14
|-
|align="left"| Marco Bollesan
|10 November 1985
|4 November 1988
|19
|7
|1
|11
|36.84
|-
|align="left"| Loreto Cucchiarelli
|5 November 1988
|29 September 1989
|7
|1
|0
|6
|14.29
|-
|align="left"| Loreto Cucchiarelli<br> Bertrand Fourcade
|29 September 1989
|31 December 1989
|2
|1
|0
|1
|50.00
|-
|align="left"| Bertrand Fourcade
|1 January 1990
|30 August 1993
|27
|16
|0
|11
|59.26
|-
|align="left"| Georges Coste
|31 August 1993
|19 June 1999
|48
|19
|1
|28
|39.58
|-
|align="left"| Massimo Mascioletti
|20 June 1999
|19 November 1999
|5
|2
|0
|3
|40.00
|-
|align="left"| Brad Johnstone
|20 November 1999
|26 April 2002
|27
|5
|0
|22
|18.52
|-
|align="left"| John Kirwan
|27 April 2002
|18 April 2005
|32
|10
|0
|22
|31.25
|-
|align="left"| Pierre Berbizier
|19 April 2005
|30 September 2007
|30
|12
|1
|17
|40.00
|-
|align="left"| Nick Mallett
|3 October 2007
|30 October 2011
|42
|9
|0
|33
|21.43
|-
|align="left"| Jacques Brunel
|1 November 2011
|31 May 2016
|50
|11
|0
|39
|22.00
|-
|align="left"| Conor O'Shea
|1 June 2016
|17 November 2019
|26
|6
|0
|19
|23.08
|-
|align=‘'left'’| Franco Smith
|21 November 2019
|19 May 2021
|13
|0
|0
|13
|0
|-
|align=‘'left'’| Kieran Crowley
|19 May 2021
|31 December 2023
|27
|10
|0
|17
|37.00
|-
|align=‘'left'’| Gonzalo Quesada
|1 January 2024
|present
|26
|11
|1
|14
|42.31
|}
Updated 7 March 2026
Player records (career)
Most caps
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! |#
! |Player
! |Pos
! |Span
! |Mat
! |Start
! |Sub
! |Pts
! |Tries
! |Won
! |Lost
! |Draw
! |%
|-
| 1 || Sergio Parisse || Number 8 || 2002–2019 || 142 || 139 || 3 || 83 || 16 || 35 || 106 || 1 || 24.65
|-
| 2 || Martín Castrogiovanni || Prop || 2002–2016 || 119 || 91 || 28 || 60 || 12 || 30 || 88 || 1 || 25.21
|-
| 3 || Alessandro Zanni || Flanker || 2005–2020 || 118 || 92 || 26 || 20 || 4 || 31 || 86 || 1 ||26.27
|-
| 4 || Marco Bortolami || Lock || 2001–2015 || 112 || 92 || 20 || 35 || 7 || 29 || 82 || 1 || 25.89
|-
| 5 || Leonardo Ghiraldini || Hooker || 2006–2020 || 107 || 84 || 23 || 25 || 5 || 20 || 87 || 0 || 18.69
|-
| 6 || Mauro Bergamasco || Flanker || 1998–2015 || 106 || 90 || 16 || 75 || 15 || 30 || 76 || 0 || 28.30
|-
| 7 || Andrea Lo Cicero || Prop || 2000–2013 || 103 || 79 || 24 || 40 || 8 || 32 || 70 || 1 || 31.07
|-
| 8 || Alessandro Troncon || Scrum-half || 1994–2007 || 102 || 95 || 7 || 95 || 19 || 34 || 67 || 1 || 33.33
|-
| 9 || Andrea Masi || Fullback || 2000–2015 || 95 || 82 || 13 || 65 || 13 || 23 || 72 || 0 || 24.21
|-
| rowspan=3| 10 || Tommaso Allan || Fly-half || 2013– || 89 || 64 || 25 || 559 || 16 || 22 || 67 || 0 || 24.72
|-
| Mirco Bergamasco || Wing || 2002–2012 || 89 || 82 || 7 || 256 || 17 || 22 || 66 || 1 || 24.72
|-
| Luke McLean || Fullback || 2008–2017 || 89 || 75 || 14 || 74 || 7 || 18 || 71 || 0 || 20.22
|}
<small>Last updated: Wales vs Italy, 14 March 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.</small>
Most tries
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! |#
! |Player
! |Pos
! |Span
! |Mat
! |Start
! |Sub
! |Pts
! |Tries
! |Conv
! |Pens
! |Drop
|-
| 1 || Marcello Cuttitta || Wing || 1987–1999 || 55 || 55 || 0 || 115 || 26 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2 || Paolo Vaccari || Wing || 1991–2003 || 65 || 64 || 1 || 112 || 23 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| rowspan=2| 3 || Carlo Checchinato || Number 8 || 1990–2004 || 84 || 74 || 10 || 105 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| Manrico Marchetto|| Wing || 1972–1981 || 43 || 39 || 4 || 84 || 21 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| rowspan=2 | 5 || Monty Ioane || Wing || 2020– || 47 || 47 || 0 || 95 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| Alessandro Troncon || Scrum-half || 1994–2007 || 102 || 95 || 7 || 95 || 19 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| rowspan=4 | 7 || Mirco Bergamasco || Centre || 2002–2012 || 89 || 82 || 7 || 256 || 17 || 12 || 49 || 0
|-
| Ange Capuozzo || Full-back || 2022– || 32 || 31 || 1 || 85 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| Serafino Ghizzoni || Wing || 1977–1987 || 60 || 59 || 1 || 77 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 3
|-
| Massimo Mascioletti || Wing || 1977–1990 || 54 || 54 || 0 || 68 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0
|}
<small>Last updated: Wales vs Italy, 14 March 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.</small>
Most points
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! |#
! |Player
! |Pos
! |Span
! |Mat
! |Start
! |Sub
! |Pts
! |Tries
! |Conv
! |Pens
! |Drop
|-
| 1 || Diego Domínguez || Fly-half || 1991–2003 || 74 || 73 || 1 || 983 || 9 || 127 || 208 || 20
|-
| 2 || Tommaso Allan || Fly-half || 2013– || 89 || 64 || 25 || 559 || 16 || 98 || 91 || 1
|-
| 3 || Stefano Bettarello || Fly-half || 1979–1988 || 55 || 54 || 1 || 483 || 7 || 46 || 104 || 17
|-
| 4 || Paolo Garbisi || Fly-half || 2020– || 54 || 52 || 2 || 305 || 5 || 50 || 60 || 0
|-
| 5 || Luigi Troiani || Fullback || 1985–1995 || 47 || 47 || 0 || 294 || 2 || 57 || 57 || 0
|-
| 6 || Ramiro Pez || Fly-half || 2000–2007 || 40 || 33 || 7 || 260 || 4 || 33 || 52 || 6
|-
| 7 || Mirco Bergamasco || Centre || 2002–2012 || 89 || 82 || 7 || 256 || 17 || 12 || 49 || 0
|-
| 8 || Luciano Orquera || Fly-half || 2004–2015 || 48 || 27 || 21 || 154 || 3 || 20 || 31 || 2
|-
| 9 || David Bortolussi || Fullback || 2006–2008 || 16 || 15 || 1 || 153 || 1 || 35 || 25 || 1
|-
| 10 || Carlo Canna || Fly-half || 2015–2021 || 53 || 28 || 25 || 152 || 5 || 20 || 26 || 3
|}
<small>Last updated: Wales vs Italy, 14 March 2026. Statistics include officially capped matches only.</small>