Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has warned his in-form side to stay focused on their need to continue improving as they look to build on their victory over Scotland with a repeat performance against Ireland on Saturday. It was a result which would help advance their claims to make the championship a six-team affair, a status confirmed three years later. "It's nice to raise expectations, to make calculations, to think about future results,” Quesada said. Italy captain and back-rower Michele Lamaro is similarly level-headed, though he acknowledged his players’ increasing Test rugby smarts and experience to defeat Scotland. “So yeah, it's definitely a team that is gaining experience and it makes a huge difference.”

Source: Irish Examiner February 14, 2026 18:10 UTC