THE EAGLE. Mission accomplished. The black and green colors return to Serie A. For now it is Serie A2, this is the name given by the Italian Rugby Federation to the new category. At the moment the mechanisms of the reform are not yet completely clear, but in any case, bringing L’Aquila rugby back to the championships that count was the objective set in 2021 Mauro Scopano, president of the newly formed club La Rugby L’Aquila. And last Sunday, with the victory on the Messina pitch, the coaches’ black and greens Emanuele Lo Greco And Luigi Milani they achieved the first of their objectives: to win their second promotion in three years, after their debut in Serie C in 2021, thanks to a group of very young athletes born within the walls of L’Aquila. They were joined by some “old guys” who picked up their rugby boots again. Among these, the scrum coach, Milani, who returned to the front line last Sunday in Messina, to support the push of the scrums, in the thankless task of prop. “It was beautiful,” he says. “I put my boots back on, but it was wonderful to wear the city colors again.” From the championship opener L’Aquila appeared superior, but there were moments of suffering. «It’s true», confirms Milani. “We suffered above all from the pressure.” To find an L’Aquila team in Serie A you have to go back to the 2018/19 season. Back then it was called Unione Rugby L’Aquila, a partnership between Polisportiva L’Aquila Rugby, Gran Sasso, Le Vecchie Fiamme L’Aquila and L’Aquila Neroverde. The team was saved, but the following year the company failed to register for the championship. Then came Rugby L’Aquila, Serie C, promotion to Serie B the first year, second place the second year and now promotion. A championship in which Rugby was able to field a squad with many players. «It’s true», confirms assistant coach Milani, «we were able to have many athletes play and everyone proved to be up to the task. Thanks to a base that has always appeared solid, even when L’Aquila had disappeared from the rugby championships that mattered. Teams like Paganica, Rex and Avezzano are welcome, adds Milani, «if there are many teams there is competition and this will raise the level of L’Aquila rugby». After all, L’Aquila is the outpost of rugby in Southern Italy. The last championship saw not only the promotion of L’Aquila, but also the return of rugby that counts at Fattori, renovated thanks to the commitment of the club. The match against Us Roma saw at least 3,500 spectators arrive at the stadium, then there was the Italy Under 19 match, the Fiamme Oro-Petrarca Padova match, in a return of enthusiasm confirmed by the many messages arriving on social media from the protagonists of the ‘business. Messages to which was added that of the President of the Region, Marcus Marsilio. «Rugby L’Aquila is in Serie A! An expected and deserved goal, the result of the hard work and determination of the team and staff, and of the precious support of the fans which has never been lacking.”
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