Italrugby, Gonzalo Quesada and Michele Lamaro in ecstasy: "Great work"

Gonzalo Quesada and Michele Lamaro analyze Italy’s victory in their debut match in the Six Nations 2026. A victory, the 18-15 win over Scotland, which according to the Azzurro coach gives morale to the whole group and is the result of a collective work of staff and athletes: “We are happy, we did a great job. During the week we focused on the aspects related to what depended on us and now we can all enjoy it together. When there are so many expectations related to the team it means that we are working well, but we know where we can and must improve.”

Martino Davidi

“Today’s victory – adds Quesada – is the result of a lot of hard work and also serves the movement well. To see the children and families identifying with them is beautiful. Now it is up to us to continue our efforts to grow and be an inspiration.” Azzurro captain Michele Lamaro talks about the final minutes of the game, when Italy defended for a full twenty-nine phases without committing a foul: “In the final we found ourselves defending in our own half of the field and we really put our heart into it. When you play everything in the last minutes you show how much you care about this jersey, about this team, about the teammate you have next to you.”

“It is in those moments – Lamaro insists – that our identity and our desire to prove who we are come out. When you play in these conditions, the work of the third lines becomes very important. We know their performers well and we tried to break down their systems. We are happy with the energy we brought because we were ready when we needed to be.” The’analysis continues with the words of Quesada: “Today we had very good players both among the starters and on the bench: we took advantage of the last minutes to manage the substitutions well.”

“We have a lot of confidence in all our players and in the work of our group. Now we have a complex match against Ireland ahead of us and we have to be ready by continuing to prepare well, working in the days leading up to it,” is Quesada’s final warning after Italrugby’s splendid victory.

Finally, always Lamaro sends a message to Italy, also and especially in view of the continuation of the path that awaits the Azzurri in the Six Nations 2026, starting with the next commitment on Saturday, Feb. 14, on the field of Ireland: “When we play in a conscious way, when we show who we are, we can put many teams in trouble, and today it was seen.”