Italy wanted in Six Nations – Castro

MARTIN Castrogiovanni has been having his say on Italy’s right to compete in the Six Nations ahead of Georgia.

The pair are in separate groups in the new Autumn Nations Cup and plenty of eyes will be watching to see how they compare.

Italy haven’t won a Six Nations match since 2015 and are again in line for a wooden spoon, while Georgia have been knocking on the door of the tournament for some time.

But ex-prop Castrogiovanni is unimpressed with the chatter questioning Azzurri’s ongoing involvement, saying: “People talk because it’s free. I don’t think they want

Georgia there. Ireland, England... nobody wants to go to Georgia. They like to come to Italy, because it’s Rome.”

The front-row legend didn’t rush into an answer when asked for a verdict on Conor O’Shea’s time at the helm in Italy.

“O’Shea came here with a good mentality, but when you come to Italy we make people change mentality sometimes,” said the 38-yearold, speaking to promote the Guinness x BuJo rugby at home kit.

“It’s hard sometimes when you come with an idea, try to change and the people you need to help you change, don’t help.

“The Italian team need to choose a coach and have him for eight years. Every four years you change a coach, this coach comes in and gives you tactics, the other one is French and wants you to play a different way.

“With Italy, maybe we have good forwards and everyone knows that... we need to find someone to put us in a good (gameplan) and do it for eight years.

“That’s the only way, to give you the time to change the rugby, not change every four years.”

Italy confirmed Franco Smith as successor to O’Shea as full-time head coach in May.