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international women
Italy began life under Plinio Sciamann with a dominant 55-21 win against Japan in both teams’ WXV Global Series opener.
Aura Muzzo needed only three minutes to open the scoring when she caught the raised ball. Four minutes later, Alexandra Frangipani was also over white.
Japan enjoyed a brief momentum shift after 10 minutes when Nami Asari and Asuka Kuge, with Maiko Nishi’s strike, gave the visitors a narrow lead. A lead that didn’t last.
Before the break, Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Vecchini and Giordana Duca scored all the points. After the break, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Francesca Sgorbini and Margherita Tonellotto drove home the dominance of the *Azzurra*.
In the closing stages, Masami Kawamura got a consolation score to temporarily stem the tide. Only three minutes, as Muzzo ended the game as it began, with an attempt from the corner.
The Blue looked hungry to impress
In their first game under their new head coach, Italy looked eager to impress Sciamanna. Muzz’s attempt was proof of that. The ball was launched with hope, more than anything, and the winger landed in possession with the awareness to twist his body and land.
The same could be said for Frangipani’s score, as Sofia Stefan’s slick passes and Francesca Sgorbini’s draw helped to lock it down. Yes, the high-octane start stalled midway through the first half, but Italy found a way to regain momentum and send on Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Vecchini and Giordano Duca before the break.
To perhaps dig into what has allowed Italy to assert itself so significantly, you have to look at their fundamentals. Blue shirts were everywhere. The *Azzurre* dominated the breakdown both in attack and defense. Sgorbini, placed at number 8, did everything that was asked of her and more. The back three of Francesca Granzotto, Muzzo and the new team captain, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, were energetic from the first to the last whistle. It was really impressive stuff.
Sakura Fifteen Growing Pains
Since Toshizumi Kitagawa took over as Japan’s full-time head coach, the 45-year-old has yet to see his team achieve victory. Against Fiji at the JAPANESE BASE, his team narrowly lost 15-12, and today the Italians beat them well. During his tenure as interim boss, Japan won the Asian Women’s Rugby Championship.
But if you’re being generous, we probably only saw about 15 minutes of dominance from Sakura Fifteen the entire game. There was that first-half magic as they took a two-point lead, while converted efforts from Nami Asari and Asuka Kuge calmed the home crowd who had just seen their team take an early lead.
After Kuge’s effort, Japan was so far away. The Italians dominated in all aspects of the game. They did not allow Japan space to attack. Every moment in possession was rushed. It wasn’t until the game was won and the clock neared the 80-minute mark that Sakura Fifteen put the phases together and Masami Kawamura overcame the white. Even that moment of respite was short-lived. Muzzo scored his second three minutes later.
Honestly, it seems too early to really dig into this Italian team. There will undoubtedly be brighter days ahead. But playing Ireland back-to-back matches could leave Sakura Fifteen with more questions than answers.
Can Italy back up a win this weekend?
Going into this game, you couldn’t say for sure which Italian national team would be on the field. It has been four months since their last game and there have been minor changes in the playing staff. You can’t say Sciamanna didn’t have a plan.
The former assistant coach is clearly looking to build around his advanced pack. He certainly has talent there. Sofia Stefan, who was placed in the middle of the match from the beginning, had to show her 107 games. Francesca Granzotto, who had a rare opportunity in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, shone on the wing. Even the return of Beatrice Rigoni to the fold screamed positive for the Italians.
Not that Italy was ever a bad team. They beat Scotland and Wales at this year’s championship, even if it is the ghost of a woman Rugby World Cup Exiting the group stage in 2025 hung over them.
If this is the Italian national team, we will probably see each other for as long as the electricity lasts Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle, who’s going to complain?
Next up are the bruised Springbok Women team. Well beaten by Wales 50-19 on Friday night in Cardiff, South Africa will be looking to respond dominantly at the Omero Tognon Stadium next weekend. While Italy will want consistency, especially with two Test matches against USA Female Eagles on the road in October.
