MY little trip down memory lane last week which took in the much missed Flamino Stadium in Rome inspired me to chase up a hunch… namely that Italy don't enjoy playing in the vast stadio Olimpico.
That the grandeur and lack of rugby passion there rather freaks them out and they tend to freeze. Great tick box venue for visiting fans, not so much for the home team.
And it appears I'm right. Historically, of Italy's 16 home wins over T1 nations just three have been achieved at the Olimpico. Indeed in 36 Tests they have played there Italy have won just three, the last against Ireland in 2013, their last Six Nations win at home.
In contrast, the uncomfortable but rather riotous and extremely atmospheric Flamino was home to seven famous Italy wins, all in the Six Nations, while other successful venues for Italy against the big boys include Treviso (2), Bologna, Rovigo, Florence and Piacenza.
They also invariably fare better in the Autumn when they take games around the country to even small venues and indeed are unbeaten in four matches in Catania in Sicily.
Perhaps Italy need to hit the road a bit more. Florence and Bologna are not exactly shabby venues and half the Italian team seem to come from the Veneto region these days. A long weekend in Venice anybody?
It shows a singular lack of imagination to stage all of Italy's games in Rome when so many other glories await the rugby tourist and Italy themselves manifestly enjoy their road trips.
