Alessandro Ortombina makes his Italrugby debut against Japan
Ortombina in blue: the debut with Japan is a reality
Italrugby third row Alessandro Ortombina is preparing to wear the blue shirt for the first time in the Nations Championship against Japan. Here's what he says before the challenge.
Alessandro Ortombina will take the field for the first time with the Italrugby shirt in the Nations Championship, facing Japan at the Brianteo stadium in Monza. The third line born in 2001, who grew up in Rugby Viadana, received the call from coach Alessandro Troncon for the tournament that inaugurates the international season of the national team. Ortombina replaces Marco Riccioni, who was injured and forced to withdraw, bringing freshness and aggression to the Italian forward department.
In an interview with Sky Sport, the young man confessed the emotion of wearing the blue shirt for the first time and revealed to whom he will dedicate this achievement: his mother. "It's a dream come true", declared Ortombina, underlining the responsibility of representing Italy in a technical challenge like the one against Japan, a team rapidly rising in the world rugby scene. Coach Troncon underlined how Ortombina's call is the result of a generational renewal project, necessary to raise the team's level.
"We need players who bring energy and determination," said the coach, confirming his faith in Viadana's talent. Japan, led by Jamie Joseph, arrives in Monza after a Six Nations in which they came close to qualifying for the finals, demonstrating constant growth from a technical and physical point of view. The Azzurri, on the other hand, are coming off a disappointing 2024 Six Nations, finishing in last place with just one win and no tries conceded in three games.
This match therefore takes on a symbolic value: for Italy it is an opportunity for immediate redemption, while for Japan it represents the confirmation of a path that aims to consolidate itself among the leading powers of world rugby. The match, scheduled for Saturday 7 September at 3pm, will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Go and NOW. What changes for Italrugby with the entry of Ortombina?
The debut against Japan represents a fundamental test to evaluate the level of the new recruits and measure the competitiveness of the team in a tournament that promises to be challenging. A defeat would be a wake-up call, but even a victory, albeit narrow, could be interpreted as a sign of recovery. The tournament, which also involves Romania and Portugal, will offer further ideas for analyzing the direction of Troncon's technical project.
What does Ortombina mean for the future of Italrugby? His entry into the team is not just an alternative to Riccioni, but a long-term investment. The third row has already attracted attention for his ability to read the game and his physicality, qualities that could be decisive in a championship like the Nations Championship, where physics is often decisive.
Ortombina's profile embodies the transition towards a more modern rugby: fast, physical and with a vision of the game that aligns with the current trends of the Six Nations and international rugby. His presence could accelerate Italrugby's adaptation to the higher pace required today, where the ability to manage possession and defensive pressure have become decisive weapons. In this sense, his debut is not just an individual test, but a laboratory to experiment with new tactical solutions in a high-pressure context.
The 2024 Nations Championship is configured as a transition phase for Italrugby, but also as an opportunity to redefine its positioning in the European panorama. With teams like Japan emerging as emerging powers, Italy must demonstrate that they can compete not only in terms of results, but also in terms of playing identity. Ortombina, with his mix of physicality and tactical intelligence, could represent the first piece of a team that aims to be more competitive from the next editions of the tournament.
Coach Troncon has repeatedly reiterated that the tournament will serve to "measure the distance" between Italy and the other national teams, but also to identify the players on which to build the future. In this context, Ortombina is not just an emergency substitute, but a key element to test a more dynamic and reactive team model, capable of adapting to the changes in pace typical of modern matches. The match in Monza will therefore be a privileged observatory to understand if Italrugby is really changing pace or if, as in the past, it is struggling to bridge the gap with the top national teams. Read at Sky Sport Italia
Why this matters
Alessandro Ortombina's debut with Italrugby is not only a personal achievement, but a concrete signal of the generational renewal that Italrugby is carrying forward. Facing Japan, a team on the rise and with a physical and fast game, will allow us to test the maturity of the new recruits on the field and to verify whether Troncon's strategy is bearing the first fruits. A test that could define the immediate future of the national team and Italy's credibility in the international rugby scene. Ortombina, in particular, represents the bet on a modern third line profile: fast, physical and with a vision of the game that could be the key to emerging from the transition phase that has characterized the last years of the national team. His entry also marks a cultural change of pace: Italrugby focuses on players who embody the speed and physicality required today, a sign that Italian rugby wants to stop being considered a second-rate reality and aspires to become a competitive player in the Six Nations and beyond.
Frequently asked
Who is Alessandro Ortombina?
Alessandro Ortombina is an Italian third line born in 2001, who grew up in Rugby Viadana. He was called up to the senior national team for the first time for the 202024 Nations Championship, replacing the injured Marco Riccioni.
When and where will Italy-Japan be played?
The match is scheduled for Saturday 7 September at 3pm at the Brianteo stadium in Monza. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and available in streaming on Sky Go and NOW.
Why did Italrugby call Ortombina?
Coach Alessandro Troncon has focused on Ortombina to bring freshness and aggressiveness to the forward department, as part of a generational renewal project. Riccioni, injured, left room for the young talent.
What does this debut represent for Ortombina?
Ortombina defined the debut as a "dream come true". He declared that he dedicated this achievement to his mother, underlining the emotion and responsibility of representing Italy in a technical challenge like the one against Japan.
How is Italrugby in view of the Nations Championship?
Italrugby is aiming for a generational change to raise the level of the team. The debut against Japan will be a first test to evaluate the competitiveness of the new recruits and the quality of Troncon's technical project.
What are the weak points of the current Italrugby?
After a disappointing 2024 Six Nations, finishing in last place with just one victory, Italrugby has to deal with a lack of offensive incisiveness and a defense that, although solid, struggles to contain physical teams like Japan. The tournament against Romania and Portugal will be crucial to understand whether generational renewal can reverse the trend.
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