Talking points: Italy impress against Japan in WXV Global Series opener

Italy started life under Plinio Sciamanna with a dominant 55-21 victory against Japan in both teams’ WXV Global Series opener.

It took just three minutes for Aura Muzzo to open the scoring when she latched onto a lofted ball. Four minutes later, Alexandra Frangipani was over the whitewash too.

Japan enjoyed a brief shift of momentum after the 10-minute mark as Nami Asari and Asuka Kuge, along with Maiko Nishi’s kicking, handed the visitors a narrow lead. A lead that did not last.

Before the break, Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Vecchini and Giordana Duca had all scored tries. After the break, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Francesca Sgorbini and Margherita Tonellotto drove home the *Azzurre*’ dominance.

In the closing stages, Masami Kawamura got a consolation score to temporarily stem the tide. For only three minutes, as Muzzo finished the game as she started it, with a try in the corner.

In their first game with a new head coach, Italy looked keen to impress Sciamanna. Muzzo’s try was proof of this. The ball was launched into the air with hope, more than anything, and the wing landed in possession with the awareness to twist her body and dot down.

Much the same could be said for Frangipani’s score, as slick passing from Sofia Stefan and a Francesca Sgorbini offload helped the lock over. Yes, the high-octane start stalled in the middle section of the first half, but Italy found a way to claw back momentum and send Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Vecchini and Giordana Duca over before the break.

To perhaps dig into what allowed Italy to impose themselves so significantly, you have to look at their basics. Blue shirts were everywhere. The *Azzurre* dominated at the breakdown in both attack and defence. Sgorbini, installed at No. 8, did everything asked of her and plenty more. The back three of Francesca Granzotto, Muzzo and the team’s new captain, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, were high-energy from the first whistle to the last. It was seriously impressive stuff.

Since Toshizumi Kitagawa took over as Japan’s head coach on a full-time basis, the 45-year-old is yet to see his team pick up a win. Against Fiji at JAPAN BASE, his team narrowly lost 15-12, and they were well beaten by the Italians today. During his time as interim boss, Japan claimed the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship.

But, if you are being generous, we probably only saw about 15 minutes of dominance from the Sakura Fifteen all game. There was that spell in the first half when they took a two-point lead as Nami Asari and Asuka Kuge’s converted efforts quietened a home crowd that had just seen its team race into an early lead.

After Kuge’s effort, Japan were so far off it. The Italians dominated every facet of the game. They allowed no space for Japan to attack. Any moment in possession was hurried. It was only when the game was won and the clock was nearing the 80-minute mark that the Sakura Fifteen got phases together and Masami Kawamura got over the whitewash. Even that moment of respite was short-lived. Muzzo scored her second three minutes later.

Honestly, it feels too early in the day to really dig deep on this Italy team. There will undoubtedly be brighter days ahead. But playing Ireland in back-to-back fixtures could leave the Sakura Fifteen with more questions than answers.

Coming into this game, you could not say for certain what Italy team was going to be on the pitch. It had been four months since their last game, and there had been minor tweaks to the playing personnel. You cannot say Sciamanna did not have a plan.

The former assistant coach clearly wants to build around his forward pack. He certainly has the talent there. Sofia Stefan, installed at scrum-half from the start, got to show off her 107 caps. Francesca Granzotto, who got sparse opportunities in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, shone on the wing. Even bringing Beatrice Rigoni back into the fold screamed that something positive was on the way for the Italians.

It is not like Italy were ever a bad team. They beat Scotland and Wales at this year’s Championship, even if the spectre of a Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 group-stage exit did hang over them.

If this is the Italy team we are likely to see for the duration of the current Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle, who is going to complain?

Next up are a bruised Springbok Women team. Well beaten by Wales 50-19 on Friday night in Cardiff, South Africa will want to respond dominantly at Stadio Omero Tognon next weekend. While Italy will want consistency, especially with two Test matches against the USA Women’s Eagles on the way in October.