Much like how every week will produce a Sunday, every Six Nations tournament will spawn an Italian result and/or performance that brings many to ask, are Italy deserving of their place in the tournament?
Having finished bottom of the table for the last two seasons, 12 times out of 18 since their inclusion in the tournament, the Italians have registered just one win in the last four seasons.
At half-time in their 56-19 loss to Ireland today the Italians had conceded 28 points without putting up a single score of their own. Off The Ball's Adrian Barry was hosting the Aviva Fan Studio during the interval, and former Munster star Donnacha Ryan was asked is it time to give other nations, such as Georgia or Romania, a place in the tournament instead of Italy.
While not impressed by their performance, the Racing 92 lock said he was hopeful of more developments in Italy's game, and noted the potential lack of fan interest in away trips to Georgia and Romania as a reason for that switch being unlikely.
"It's a difficult one to have a competition for the Six Nations because the calendar is so compact with games".
"Italy have been tricky opponents for us in the World Cup as well, so hopefully in the next few years they do build some sort of a competitive edge to make them a more formidable team".
"I can see people's frustrations, but the other question there is obviously, would people travel to Georgia and Romania for matches as well?".
Former Ireland international Fiona Steed was more confident of a change occurring, and noted the possibility of a two tiered system running concurrently with the main championship as a way around the scheduling problems.
"A Tier B qualification could run at the same time, and it could be bottom of the Six Nations play the top of Tier B, and I think there's huge value in that, and I can see that happening.
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