It may not have been the start that Italy were after to start the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, but full-back Jacopo Trulla insists the Azzurri are doing all they can to set the record straight.
Franco Smith’s side have gone down to France and England in the opening two rounds of this year’s Championship, shipping 13 tries in their two defeats so far despite some positive signs.
The 50-10 defeat to Les Bleus in Round 1 saw Trulla make his Championship bow at just 20 years old, after impressing for Zebre in the Guinness PRO14, as well as Calvisano in Italy’s Top10.
And despite tasting defeat in both of his appearances this year, the young star is adamant that the whole Italian squad are working hard to right the wrongs ahead of their Round 3 clash with Ireland next weekend.
“Being here and starting to have a certain continuity on the pitch is a source of pride for me, as well as a constant stimulus to try to do better and be useful to the team,” Trulla said.
“We started by focusing on ourselves with the aim of increasing our confidence on the pitch. In the last game we had a proactive attitude and in several moments of the match we showed who we really are.
“We know that it is not enough and we are absolutely not satisfied: we want to reap the fruits of the work we do every day on the pitch, in the gym and in meetings with the staff.”
Franco Smith has opted for youth in his squad for the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, with four uncapped players among his initial 32-man squad named in January, and just six players having over 20 international appearances to their name.
With just three Italy caps before the Championship got underway, Trulla has been among the shining lights for the Azzurri even during defeats in Rome and London, with the Italians showing glimmers of brilliance in both matches.
Luca Sperandio’s superbly collected chip against France was one example of the quality they can produce at times, while Trulla was involved in a brilliant opening score at Twickenham in Round 2, which was finished off by Monty Ioane.
And as Andy Farrell’s side prepare to come to Stadio Olimpico next Saturday, the young full-back believes it is time for the hard work put in by the squad to be reflected on the pitch.
“As a group we have grown a lot. There is great harmony between us. We have all the credentials and the qualities to change the trend of the latest results,” Trulla said.
“We want to become a winning team and to do so we need to keep working hard.”
