Monza to host Italy v Wales

Italy are set to host Wales in Monza in Lombardy on Saturday October 29, it has been confirmed, with the match taking place at the 18,000-capacity Stadio Brianteo.

The game is a World Cup qualifier, with Wales and Italy in the the same qualifying group as Serbia, with the group winnners guaranteed a place in the 2017 tournament Down Under.

Monza is located nine miles north east of Milan, and is more usually associated with Formula 1 motor racing.

Monza’s mayor, the Honourable Roberto Scanagatti, and city sport minister Mr Silvano Appiani, have both agreed to promote the match during the Grand Prix which is held in the city.

“The Federazione Italiana Rugby League [FIRL] is extremely happy to play in Monza,” said FIRL president Orazio d’Arro.

“It is one of the major sporting cities in Italy and we are delighted to cooperate with the Monza public administration for the legacy of our sport.

“It will be a real Italian rugby league day. All levels of our national team will play and support the senior team to get into the Rugby League World Cup again.

“Italy ‘A’ against Belgium will be the curtain-raiser match.”

Wales head coach John Kear is in no doubt about the test his players will face in Monza.

“Italy beat Wales in the opening fixture of the 2013 World Cup, and they will no doubt be putting out a strong team once again in order to appear at the next tournament,” he said.

It should be fantastic occasion and we congratulate FIRL for organising such a great venue and city for such an important game.

“Everyone is looking forward to it and with so much at stake, it should be a classic.”

The three sides in the group play each other once to determine the group winner, who will qualify automatically for the World Cup.

The group runners up will then have another chance to qualify, in a play-off with the runners up from the other qualifying group, which contains Spain, Ireland and Russia.