Italy aims to place above last in the 2023 Six Nations, starting with France this weekend.
And once again they will line up in their trademark blue kit.
But why do Italian sports teams always wear the colour when it’s not featured on their flag?
As many will have noticed, the Italian flag is red, white and green and does not have any blue on it.
They’ll wear their iconic blue uniform, reflecting the House of Savoy’s color (the country’s former Royal Family) since 1911.
Despite becoming a republic in 1946, the blue kit was kept and still appears on the Italian presidential standard.
The country’s sports teams are nicknamed “Azzurri”, meaning “The Blues”.
“The Terminator” – 5 biggest and strongest rugby players in the 2023 Six Nations!
When these players get the ball, the spectators hold their breath. Capable of smashing their way through the toughest of defenders, these players are built for contact and are not afraid of a big collision.
With the 2023 Guinness Six Nations kicking off this weekend, here are the five most powerful Six Nations players to watch.
Andrew Porter – Ireland
With a reported squat personal best of a staggering 350 kg, Andrew Porter’s strength resembles an Olympic standard. Porter smashes the 275kg requirements for an elite-level squat for his size, demonstrating how truly powerful he is for a professional athlete.
The Leinster prop is a fearsome scrummager, capable of winning the ball against the run of play through the sheer force of his driving. Ireland’s resident powerhouse lines up in a frightening front row, along with Tadhg Furlong and Ronan Kelleher.
A dedicated Dubliner, Porter has made over 100 appearances for his hometown club Leinster, since his debut in 2016.
England have learned experience of the power of Porter, as the prop muscled his way over the line from close range, in the 2020 Six Nations. Porter’s international accolades are not limited to just Ireland, as he worked his way onto the 2021 British Lions tour to South Africa.