Rugby World Cup Diary: Italian rugby needs to take a long, hard look at itself

Azzurri take stock, Dupont's ready, Wallabies woe, gritty Romanians

TRYING TIMES: France's Peato Mauvaka scores their Sixth try against Italy last friday night in lyon. 

Italy were never expected to make the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup, but ending with a 60-7 loss to France on the back of a 96-17 hammering by New Zealand has raised doubts over the future of Italian rugby.

Italy kicked off the tournament as expected, two wins from their opening games to set them up for a shot at history. However, they failed to impress in their 52-8 win over Namibia and only came alive in a second-half comeback to beat Uruguay 38-17.