David Shonfield: Can next-gen preserve Italian Six Nations status? Or at least self-respect?

There are fears in Italy that the current prolonged crisis of the national team could be the death knell for the sport itself.

Italy's players huddle after their defeat at the end of the Six Nations rugby union international match between France and Italy at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on February 6, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Italian rugby describes itself as il movimento, the movement, and this week the movement has been in mourning for one of its pioneers.

Franco Ascantini worked briefly alongside Pierre Villepreux with the national team but his main contribution was over 30 years, introducing the sport to literally thousands of youngsters, either directly or through the coaches he trained. Above all he was an educator.