The Cuttitta Cup - Italy v Scotland

[Tichtheid]

"A trophy celebrating the vast and colourful contribution of Massimo Cuttitta to the global game of rugby is unveiled in Edinburgh today (Monday 7 March).

The Cuttitta Cup will be contested for the first time between Italy and Scotland when the teams meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the fourth round of the GUINNESS Six Nations Championship on Saturday (12 March).
It has been crafted in memory of the former Italy captain and hugely respected and popular Scotland scrum coach, Massimo Cuttitta, who died of Covid 11 months ago. He was 54."

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/the- ... s-unveiled

[sturginho]

"A trophy celebrating the vast and colourful contribution of Massimo Cuttitta to the global game of rugby is unveiled in Edinburgh today (Monday 7 March).

The Cuttitta Cup will be contested for the first time between Italy and Scotland when the teams meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the fourth round of the GUINNESS Six Nations Championship on Saturday (12 March).
It has been crafted in memory of the former Italy captain and hugely respected and popular Scotland scrum coach, Massimo Cuttitta, who died of Covid 11 months ago. He was 54."

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/the- ... s-unveiled

A very fine looking trophy it is too

[Tichtheid]

"A trophy celebrating the vast and colourful contribution of Massimo Cuttitta to the global game of rugby is unveiled in Edinburgh today (Monday 7 March).

The Cuttitta Cup will be contested for the first time between Italy and Scotland when the teams meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the fourth round of the GUINNESS Six Nations Championship on Saturday (12 March).
It has been crafted in memory of the former Italy captain and hugely respected and popular Scotland scrum coach, Massimo Cuttitta, who died of Covid 11 months ago. He was 54."

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/the- ... s-unveiled

A very fine looking trophy it is too

I love the props as the handles, Massimo was very popular in Scottish rugby circles, as I'm sure he was in Italy too.

This is a fine tribute to a terrific player and coach.

[sturginho]

"A trophy celebrating the vast and colourful contribution of Massimo Cuttitta to the global game of rugby is unveiled in Edinburgh today (Monday 7 March).

The Cuttitta Cup will be contested for the first time between Italy and Scotland when the teams meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the fourth round of the GUINNESS Six Nations Championship on Saturday (12 March).
It has been crafted in memory of the former Italy captain and hugely respected and popular Scotland scrum coach, Massimo Cuttitta, who died of Covid 11 months ago. He was 54."

https://www.scottishrugby.org/news/the- ... s-unveiled

A very fine looking trophy it is too

I love the props as the handles, Massimo was very popular in Scottish rugby circles, as I'm sure he was in Italy too.

This is a fine tribute to a terrific player and coach.

One of our all time greats, he famously played in two of our greatest victories. One of which I'm sure I don't need to remind you was against Scotland. But also in this match:

[westport]

That is a grand looking cup and fitting to the man

[laurent]

nice

and fitting

[Slick]

Well, if the rumours doing the rounds about the Scotland team are true we are in for a very open game.

Actually quite looking forward to this for once. Still the usual dread of us fucking it all up, but think it will be a good game.

[sturginho]

Well, if the rumours doing the rounds about the Scotland team are true we are in for a very open game.

Actually quite looking forward to this for once. Still the usual dread of us fucking it all up, but think it will be a good game.

which rumours?

[clydecloggie]

Well, if the rumours doing the rounds about the Scotland team are true we are in for a very open game.

Actually quite looking forward to this for once. Still the usual dread of us fucking it all up, but think it will be a good game.

which rumours?

All I've heard is M Fagerson, Russell, Johnson starting. So essentially back to game 1.

[Slick]

Well, if the rumours doing the rounds about the Scotland team are true we are in for a very open game.

Actually quite looking forward to this for once. Still the usual dread of us fucking it all up, but think it will be a good game.

which rumours?

All I've heard is M Fagerson, Russell, Johnson starting. So essentially back to game 1.

Even just that suggests a more attacking game than the last couple. I've also heard Bennett at 13 and White at 9 but they seem a little more vague

[sturginho]

Line ups for the baby cuttita cup

Italy

15 Lorenzo PANI (Benetton Rugby Treviso Srl)
14 Flavio Pio VACCARI (Rugby Calvisano Ssd Arl)
13 Dewi PASSARELLA (Ruggers Tarvisium Asd)
12 Arturo FUSARI (G.S. Fiamme Oro Rugby Roma)
11 Filippo LAZZARIN (Petrarca Rugby)
10 Giovanni SANTE (Mogliano Rugby 1969)
9 Alessandro GARBISI (Mogliano Rugby 1969 Ssd Arl)
8 Giacomo FERRARI – CAP (Unione Rugby Capitolina)
7 Ross Michael Alwyn VINTCENT (Accademia Nazionale I. Francescato)
6 Giovanni CENEDESE (Villorba Rugby)
5 Riccardo ANDREOLI (FEMI-CZ Rovigo)
4 Alessandro ORTOMBINA (Valorugby Emilia)
3 Riccardo GENOVESE (Cus Torino)
2 Lapo FRANGINI (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato)
1 Luca RIZZOLI (Unione Rugby Capitolina)

A disposizione:

16 Tommaso SCRAMONCIN (Petrarca Rugby)
17 Riccardo BARTOLINI (Florentia Rugby Asd)
18 Matteo BERNARDINELLO (Petrarca Rugby)
19 David ODIASE (HBS Colorno)
20 Lizardo Rodriguez Carlos BERLESE (Ruggers Tarvisium Asd)
21 Andrea CUOGHI (Modena Rugby 1965 Soc. Coop. Sd)
22 Nicolò TENEGGI (Valorugby Emilia)
23 Francois Carlo MEY (HBS Colorno)

Scotland

15. Robin Mc Clintock (Montpellier)
14.  Ross McKnight (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
13. Duncan Munn (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)
12. Andy Stirrat (GHA)
11. Ben Evans (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)
10. Christian Townsend (Ayrshire Bulls/Glasgow Warriors)
9. Murray Redpath (Newcastle University)
8. Rhys Tait – CAPTAIN (Boroughmuir Bears/Glasgow Warriors)
7. Tim Brown (Glasgow Hawks)
6. Matthew Deehan (Newcastle Falcons)
5. Max Williamson (Stirling County/Glasgow Warriors)
4. Josh Taylor (Ealing Trailfinders)
3. Gregor Scougall (Currie Chieftains)
2. Gregor Hiddleston (GHA)
1. Michael Jones (Heriot’s Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)

A disposizione:

16. Duncan Hood (Bath University)
17. Ali Rogers (Glasgow Hawks)
18. Callum Norrie (Strathallan School)
19. Rudi Brown (Watsonians Rugby/Edinburgh Rugby)
20. Innes Hill (Ealing Trailfinders)
21. Jed Gelderbloom (Edinburgh Rugby)
22. Thomas Glendinning (Glasgow Hawks)
23. Keiran Clark (Southern Knights)

[sturginho]

Italy:
15 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 33 caps)
14 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 2 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
12 Leonardo MARIN (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
11 Montanna IOANE (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 16 caps)
9 Callum BRALEY (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps) – capitano
6 Giovanni PETTINELLI (Benetton Rugby, 4 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 28 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)
3 Pietro CECCARELLI (Brive, 19 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 18 caps)

A disposizione
16 Luca BIGI (Zebre Parma, 40 caps)
17 Ivan NEMER (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
18 Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre Parma, 16 caps)
19 David SISI (Zebre Parma, 19 caps)
20 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
21 Alessandro FUSCO (Fiamme Oro Rugby/Zebre Parma, 4 caps)
22 Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 10 caps)
23 Ange CAPUOZZO (Grenoble, esordiente)

[sturginho]

Scotland:
15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – (capitano) – 91 caps
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 34 caps
12. Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
11. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – (vice-capitano) – 61 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 49 caps
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 19 caps
7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 47 caps
6. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – 2 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – (vice-capitano) – 51 caps
4. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 18 caps
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 45 caps
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 23 caps
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby -7 caps

A disposizione:
16. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 46 caps
17. Allan Dell – London Irish – 32 caps
18. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 46 caps
19. Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – 4 caps
20. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 17 caps
21. Ben Vellacott – Edinburgh Rugby – uncapped
22. Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby – 25 caps
23. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – 4 caps

[Slick]

Stronger, or at least more experienced, team put out by Scotland than I was expecting. Looking forward to this

[sturginho]

Crowley must really hate Luca Bigi, all of the hookers are injured and he still wont pick him in the starting XV

[sockwithaticket]

The Azzurini are going pretty well in the U20s fixture.

[sturginho]

What a scrum!

[SaintK]

The Azzurini are going pretty well in the U20s fixture.

That's both England and Scotland beaten
Good results and maybe a positive sign for the future.

[sockwithaticket]

The Azzurini are going pretty well in the U20s fixture.

That's both England and Scotland beaten
Good results and maybe a positive sign for the future.

Like most U20 sides it's unlikely that too many of them will make it as full internationals, but the level of improvement we've seen from them over the past few seasons suggests they're sorting out their general talent pathways and/or coaching.

[Slick]

The Azzurini are going pretty well in the U20s fixture.

That's both England and Scotland beaten
Good results and maybe a positive sign for the future.

Like most U20 sides it's unlikely that too many of them will make it as full internationals, but the level of improvement we've seen from them over the past few seasons suggests they're sorting out their general talent pathways and/or coaching.

I think a lot more U20’s from the smaller nations, like Italy and Scotland, make it through

[Tichtheid]

Whilst I don’t exactly have The Fear, Italy always target this match as their most-winnable and for good reason. Scotland can’t afford to keep up the very poor support at the breakdown, our carriers get isolated and either turned over or penalised far too often. It’s kills the whole team, and we might as well have the back three that we had fifteen years ago if we keep doing this.
Speaking of which, Duhan is a big miss, not only for his tackle-busting runs, but for the defensive cover that he attracts.

With Finn being short of his best form we’ve had to rely on “Give it to Darcy/Blair/Duhan”, but we need to sort out possession first, and by that I mean quality front foot ball at speed.
(Kinghorn is another absentee, and another miss for us)

We’ve gone for two proper sevens in hot-prospect Darge and Watson, along with short-arse-for-a-number-eight Matt Fagerson it means we sacrifice having a third line out jumper, match that with Turner’s less than reliable darts and I can see an area for Italy to go after Scotland.

Scotland should win, but it would not surprise me in the least if Italy do a job on us.

[sockwithaticket]

That's both England and Scotland beaten
Good results and maybe a positive sign for the future.

Like most U20 sides it's unlikely that too many of them will make it as full internationals, but the level of improvement we've seen from them over the past few seasons suggests they're sorting out their general talent pathways and/or coaching.

I think a lot more U20’s from the smaller nations, like Italy and Scotland, make it through

They do, but you're still probably not converting even a third of a side. A lot simply don't make it even as pros let alone make that step into the national arena.

[Tichtheid]

Like most U20 sides it's unlikely that too many of them will make it as full internationals, but the level of improvement we've seen from them over the past few seasons suggests they're sorting out their general talent pathways and/or coaching.

I think a lot more U20’s from the smaller nations, like Italy and Scotland, make it through

They do, but you're still probably not converting even a third of a side. A lot simply don't make it even as pros let alone make that step into the national arena.

It's hot and cold with us, there are quite a lot from the 2016/17 cohort who became professionals, only a small handful from each of the 2018/19/20 squads.

There aren't too many from the current squad who look likely to step up, Leatherbarrow looked good in the couple of games I've seen from him.

[SaintK]

Like most U20 sides it's unlikely that too many of them will make it as full internationals, but the level of improvement we've seen from them over the past few seasons suggests they're sorting out their general talent pathways and/or coaching.

I think a lot more U20’s from the smaller nations, like Italy and Scotland, make it through

They do, but you're still probably not converting even a third of a side. A lot simply don't make it even as pros let alone make that step into the national arena.

That's all very true. At least the current crop will know what it's like to win at international level and it well develop a winning mentality that can help them step up to the next level

[I like neeps]

Whilst I don’t exactly have The Fear, Italy always target this match as their most-winnable and for good reason. Scotland can’t afford to keep up the very poor support at the breakdown, our carriers get isolated and either turned over or penalised far too often. It’s kills the whole team, and we might as well have the back three that we had fifteen years ago if we keep doing this.
Speaking of which, Duhan is a big miss, not only for his tackle-busting runs, but for the defensive cover that he attracts.

With Finn being short of his best form we’ve had to rely on “Give it to Darcy/Blair/Duhan”, but we need to sort out possession first, and by that I mean quality front foot ball at speed.
(Kinghorn is another absentee, and another miss for us)

We’ve gone for two proper sevens in hot-prospect Darge and Watson, along with short-arse-for-a-number-eight Matt Fagerson it means we sacrifice having a third line out jumper, match that with Turner’s less than reliable darts and I can see an area for Italy to go after Scotland.

Scotland should win, but it would not surprise me in the least if Italy do a job on us.

Wouldn't surprise me either but would be very bad and I think would see pretty significant change.

[Slick]

Nah, not going to happen

[Big D]

That is pish by Fagerson. School boy stuff.

[sturginho]

An encouraging start

[Big D]

Oh look Chris Harris dying with the ball with 3 players outside. How surprising.

[Big D]

Why is Price leaving that to Schoeman in our 22. Shocking ball carry but fuck sake Price take some ownership of that situation and get it away off turnover ball. The last thing you want there is a pick and go.

[Big D]

Lovely stuff esp by Turner. Couple nice passes in there.

[sturginho]

Oh well it lasted a good quarter of an hour

[Margin__Walker]

God, I'd hate to be an Italian fan. That's a killer.

Nice kick to finish that one though.

[Big D]

Finn, christ son.

Nice play by Price and Steyn. Good wheels and desire by Harris to get there before anyone else.

[sturginho]

God, I'd hate to be an Italian fan. That's a killer.

Nice kick to finish that one though.

I do hate it

[PCPhil]

Italy are the most creative side in the 6N…… at managing to butcher chances.

[sockwithaticket]

Italy are desperate for real quality at 9.

[Margin__Walker]

That was lovely

Edit - if given

[sockwithaticket]

Beefy from Bruno. Forza Italia!

[PCPhil]

That’s nice. Now can they keep composure