Italy and 2025

[Number 16]

Yes, the World Cup in 2025 is to be hosted by the French, helped by a significant government cash injection. My question is: in the highly likely event of the Italians again qualifying is there any scope for their games to actually be played in Italy. For example Turin and Milan would be ideal venues.

And could it help kick start some genuine development in Italy?

Thoughts?

[Tommygilf]

If possible it would be nice, France should absolutely be the priority though.

[GUBRATS]

4 minutes ago, Number 16 said:

Yes, the World Cup in 2025 is to be hosted by the French, helped by a significant government cash injection. My question is: in the highly likely event of the Italians again qualifying is there any scope for their games to actually be played in Italy. For example Turin and Milan would be ideal venues.

And could it help kick start some genuine development in Italy?

Thoughts?

Good idea 

[Jughead]

The tournament is in France, so it won’t happen. A warm-up game, perhaps. 

[SydneyRoosters]

I’m not sure Italy will qualify this time

[Gambass]

26 minutes ago, Number 16 said:

Yes, the World Cup in 2025 is to be hosted by the French, helped by a significant government cash injection. My question is: in the highly likely event of the Italians again qualifying is there any scope for their games to actually be played in Italy. For example Turin and Milan would be ideal venues.

And could it help kick start some genuine development in Italy?

Thoughts?

Absolutely not

[Mark S]

Get the RFL to build a 20K stadium on Sorrento and I will be there.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Don't see an issue personally if it's possible. It's literally next door. Would be a big step for the game in Italy.

[MatthewWoody]

The game in Monza vs Wales (2016, WC qualification) was very entertaining. People who were there seemed entertained. 

But with no government recognition it's gonna be tough. 

 

 

[Just Browny]

17 minutes ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

Don't see an issue personally if it's possible. It's literally next door. Would be a big step for the game in Italy.

Of course literally next door are also Spain, Andorra, Monaco, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium.

If they can source some funding from an Italian regional government then fine but there's little evidence that Italians are going to turn up in their 10s of thousands to watch and make it pay for itself. There are probably plenty of people with Italian heritage in French RL land who would be just as keen.

[Keith989]

They could host one in Treviso, they are rugby mad there and have recently renovated the stadium. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

1 hour ago, Jughead said:

The tournament is in France, so it won’t happen. A warm-up game, perhaps. 

Sounds a great idea if possible.

[Number 16]

1 hour ago, SydneyRoosters said:

I’m not sure Italy will qualify this time

In the unlikely event of them defeating Fiji later today, then they're in.

With England and France guaranteed for '25, Europe has another four, possibly five,  places available. 

Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Greece and Italy are in the frame.

[Number 16]

1 hour ago, Gambass said:

Absolutely not

Is that an opinion or do you know it as an agreed fact?

[gingerjon]

Haven’t France already listed the municipalities that are bidding to be involved?

There doesn’t seem scope to take a game outside France however good an idea that is.

[Number 16]

In 2025 there'll be the new U19 WC running alongside the other cups, whilst the women's competition is to increase from 8 to 16 nations. Italy could well be represented in both.

Clearly it would depend on the draws but 2025 could present a great opportunity to promote the sport in Italy.

With France hosting upwards of one hundred matches across the four WCs there's surely some scope for a handful in Italy 

[glemiln]

1 hour ago, Mark S said:

Get the RFL to build a 20K stadium on Sorrento and I will be there.

Maybe, the RFL would first assess the situation of Vesuvius!

Certainly the area is beautiful, but the Corso Italia and Sorrento’s narrow lanes would never recover!

[Number 16]

8 minutes ago, glemiln said:

Maybe, the RFL would first assess the situation of Vesuvius!

A crater to twin with Odsal. 

[langpark]

5 hours ago, MatthewWoody said:

The game in Monza vs Wales (2016, WC qualification) was very entertaining. People who were there seemed entertained. 

But with no government recognition it's gonna be tough. 

The game in Monza was great because Saluzzo were still active. Now, with no active RL clubs in Italy since Saluzzo returned back to RU it would be a completely pointless exercise. 

[MatthewWoody]

20 minutes ago, langpark said:

The game in Monza was great because Saluzzo were still active. Now, with no active RL clubs in Italy since Saluzzo returned back to RU it would be a completely pointless exercise. 

Hmmm, no. 

No Saluzzo player was involved that day. It was before they even entered the French system. 

 

Edited October 22, 2022 by MatthewWoody

[gingerjon]

Just now, MatthewWoody said:

Hmmm, no. 

No Saluzzo player was involved that day. I was there. 

 

Are there any active domestic Italian RL clubs currently?

(That's a genuine Q)

[MatthewWoody]

12 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Are there any active domestic Italian RL clubs currently?

(That's a genuine Q)

No idea

Edited October 23, 2022 by MatthewWoody

[Mumby Magic]

8 hours ago, Tommygilf said:

If possible it would be nice, France should absolutely be the priority though.

Do they play RL in Nice?

[Tommygilf]

1 minute ago, Mumby Magic said:

Do they play RL in Nice?

I believe there is a club yes, or at least there was a few years ago

[londonrlfan]

8 hours ago, gingerjon said:

Haven’t France already listed the municipalities that are bidding to be involved?

There doesn’t seem scope to take a game outside France however good an idea that is.

Any in the north? There needs to be much more of a geographical spread than this year. Hopefully there will be a game or two in Paris, or Lequipe et al will ignore it.