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Fifteen years after having challenged the reigning World Champions Springboks on the lawn of the then “Stadio Friuli”, the Italian national rugby team will return to the pitch of the renovated Bluenergy Stadium in Udine once a year until 2026 after the three-year agreement signed between the Italian Rugby Federation and Udinese Calcio, and announced today by the federal and Juventus club leaders.
Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy will inaugurate the November 2024 international window in Udine, hosting Argentina on the first day of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series scheduled for Saturday 9 November at 6.40 pm.
“Bringing our sport and the blue jersey to the most cutting-edge facilities in our country testifies to the growth of our sport in Italy and the Federation’s commitment to innovate, break the mold, explore new economic development opportunities fundamental to supporting growth of Italian rugby from the base to the top. Udine and its stadium respond perfectly to what we ask for: a modern and innovative facility, with the possibility of developing business, and a rugby-growing area like Friuli Venezia Giulia, strategically close to one of the key regions of the movement. Argentina is a prestigious opponent, a Latin derby that our public awaits with growing enthusiasm and, for our coach Quesada, the first time against the national team whose shirt he has worn so many times. It will be a magnificent evening of rugby, for which I thank the leaders of Udinese Calcio, President Soldati and DG Collavino, with whom we look forward to collaborating successfully in the three-year period that awaits us” said the President of the FIR, Marzio Innocents.
