The July tour of Italy has come to an end, with Gonzalo Quesada’s team finishing with a convincing 42-14 win over Eddie Jones’ Japan. It follows a comfortable win over Tonga in Nuku’alofa and a narrow defeat to Samoa in Apia. The return is a positive for Quesada’s Italy, who also beat Scotland and Wales in the 2024 Six Nations.

Italy’s victory in Japan was emphatic. The European side had the better game and continued their work effortlessly. Ange Capuozzo, Martin Page Relo, Andrea Zambonin, Alessandro Garbisi and Ross Vintcent all scored tries. Japan’s two tries were both scored by Dylan Riley.

Italy now has a short break before hosting Canada and the USA. Canada hosts Japan in Vancouver on August 25, while Japan hosts the USA Eagles in Kumagaya on September 7. The matches are for the Pacific Nations Cup, which also features Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in a separate Tri Nations pool.

Italy will play their next match in November. Former Puma Gonzalo Quesada will coach Italy against his own country; Italy will play Argentina in Udine on November 9. Italy will then play Georgia and New Zealand.