WRU refutes claims
THE Welsh Rugby Union has strongly denied suggestions by Italy captain Michele Lamaro his side were treated poorly at the Principality Stadium during their Six Nations win on the weekend.
Lamaro has told an Italian newspaper he feels his team were shown a lack of respect, with “several small, unpleasant situations unworthy of a host country” allegedly unfolding during their visit.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he claimed that Italy’s pre-match warm-up was cut short and that family members were given seats in the corner of the ground with reduced visibility. He added that family members were also unable to attend the post-match function.
It now appears Lamaro’s comments were wide of the mark, with the WRU and Italian Rugby Federation moving quickly to clarify the situation.
It’s understood that the location of tickets for players and their families are decided by the visiting team, with the WRU providing a number of different options around the ground in order for the visiting union to allocate. Access to the postmatch function is also by invitation, with Italy understood to have been offered the opportunity to invite players’ partners.
Wales did stay out longer than Italy prior to kick-off, but it’s understood that Italian management declined the opportunity to do similar.
WRU CEO Abi Tierney confirmed that she had spoken with the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) to clarify the comments, with FIR president Marzio Innocenti saying the relationship couldn’t be better between the two governing bodies.
“We have spoken to Italy’s President Marzio Innocenti to clarify recent comments made by their captain Michele Lamaro about the team’s visit to Cardiff,” said Tierney. “We can confirm that relations between the FIR and the WRU are as mutually respectful and positive as they have ever been.
“Indeed, Marzio has repeated the commendations he made to us on matchday about the warm welcome he received and the way in which we hosted him and his impressive Italian side at Principality Stadium.”
FIR president Innoncenti said: “The relationship between FIR and WRU couldn’t be better, as we share a common love for the game which leads our actions.”