Everyone loves an underdog. These five matches from history tell the stories of the biggest Six Nations upsets.
With Italy taking on France in their opening game of the 2023 Six Nations this Sunday, they have the unprecedented chance to record back-to-back Six Nations victories.
A tall order, given the fact that France are considered one of the two favourites along with Ireland for this year’s trophy, but it is never a result to rule out, as history shows.
So, ahead of the David vs Goliath clash in Rome this weekend, here are five biggest Six Nations upsets.
BIGGEST SIX NATIONS UPSETS:
1 Wales 21-22 Italy : 2022 Six Nations Championship
The match which ended Italy’s seven year wait for a Six Nations win, and started the sand timer for Wayne Pivac’s position as Wales Head Coach.
The hotly contested match in Cardiff was looking to be heading for a Wales win, on the final weekend in last year’s Championship. With two minutes left to play, Wales led 21-15, thanks to earlier tries from Owen Watkin, Dewi Lake and Josh Adams.
Then a lightning bolt of blue struck the Principality Stadium, in the form of Ange Capuozzo. Receiving the ball within his own 22m, the fullback put his head down, and made Italian rugby history. The then 22-year-old skipped passed the tackle attempts of Josh Adams and Jonny McNicholl, before playing in Edoardo Padovani to score a memorable try for the “Azzurri”.
With the final kick of the game, Paolo Garbisi slotted the following conversion from in front of the posts, and Italy recorded their first win in 36 Six Nations matches. The losing streak was over, and Wales hung their heads. All eyes turned to Pivac, who would be ousted from his post after a woeful Autumn International series.