How many more matches must Italy lose before organisers decide enough is enough?

They have lost 27 in a row since beating Scotland at Murrayfield 22-19 six years ago. Their average defeat works out at 13-39

Italy's Denis Dallan lies down in defeat towards of the end of the Lloyds TSB Six Nations game against England in 2001. Picture: Gareth Copley

Barack Obama had only just begun his second term at the White House when two events of contrasting importance took place in Rome during the same week. The first demanded immediate Presidential attention, the second, trivial by comparison, passed him by.

On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, white smoke from the roof of the Sistine Chapel proclaimed the election of Pope Francis. Three days later, within strolling distance of the Vatican, Italy’s rugby team marked one historic occasion with another, to Ireland’s embarrassment.