Coppa Italia returns to league

Rugby league continues to grow in Italy with the launch of the new Coppa Italia.

Originally launched back in the 1960s, it has been revitalised and re-introduced by the Italia RFL, who have recently gained affiliate status with the RLEF.

Eight teams will participate in the competition which will begin on March 20 in Rome.

The Italia RFL are hoping to create interest, intrigue and promote professionalism through the tournament, which follows up from a successful domestic campaign last summer.

The competition will be divided in to three groups as follows:

UMBRIA Group – Etruschi Perugia and Grifoni Perugia, led by Andrew Tagliavento, player/trainer of Gladiators Roma that in July of last year had won the Italia RFL Championship against Magnifici Firenze.

LAZIO Group – Roma Rugby 2000 and Corsari Roma. Andrea Gabrielli and the Vice-President of Italia RFL coordinate expansion of 13 in Lazio.

SICILIA Group – Cus Catania, Briganti Librino, Fenice Belpasso and Catania Rugby 2009. In Sicily blowing on the sails of Rugby League, Massimo Nicotra and Marco Suaria coaches of Spartans Catania, third in the 2010 finals and promoters of a sort of thirteen verve in Sicily Rugby.