Wives give Italy a lift

Italy have given their World Cup squad a tonic by allowing the players‘ wives into the training camp for the first time.

The unprecedented move was taken by coach John Kirwan in consultation with the team entourage and psychologist Claudio Robazza, a former Italy international.

Team manager Marco Bollesan explained: “It is necessary to avoid and to contain at the maximum mental stress in particular in relation to emotional and family desires.

“They may be professional but they are human beings, not robots.”

Lock Cristian Bezzi and winger Denis Dallan are both having treatment on injuries but otherwise there are no problems to report for the 39 players from whom the World Cup squad will be named.