IT
EN
The podcast spends a lot of time on Italy’s path to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. In November, Gonzalo Quesada’s side play three Nations Championship tests: South Africa on 7 November in Turin, Argentina on 14 November in Genoa, Fiji on 21 November in Udine, plus a fourth test at the end of the month at Twickenham against an opponent determined by the standings.
For Danpat, the minimum aim of these tests is “to answer for what happened over the summer,” when Italy lost all three tests despite showing promise against the All Blacks. Beating Fiji twice would already be a good result, while the game against Argentina — coming off a difficult summer of their own — looks more even.
The 2026-27 Six Nations, both hosts stress, carries “huge stakes” being the last big test before the World Cup: among their shared wishes, winning both home games (Wales and Ireland) and finally getting a result against Scotland at Murrayfield, where Italy hasn’t won since 2013.
The World Cup itself opens on 3 October 2027 in Adelaide against holders South Africa, continues on 11 October in Sydney against Romania, and closes on 17 October in Newcastle against Georgia, in Pool B. For Danpat, “I refuse to believe Italy won’t get out of the pool”: beating Georgia would likely set up a last-16 meeting with England.
Source: “La stagione del Mondiale” episode of Divagazioni di Rugby, with Cristian Lovisetto (DanPat Rugby, 8 September 2026). Nations Championship and Rugby World Cup 2027 schedules checked against official sources.