With rugby news being dominated in the past week by rumours of South Africa joining the Six Nations in 2025, at the expense of Italy, former France fullback and South Africa native Scott Spedding gave his view on the situation while speaking with RugbyPass.
Spedding, who played for France in the Six Nations between 2014 and 2019, was in full favour of South Africa joining at Italy’s expense, as he criticised Italian rugby and questioned the “value” that they bring to the tournament.
“The reality is that Italy don’t add much value to the tournament and the Springboks would be a breath of fresh air.
“I’m all for the game evolving and rugby becoming more exciting but the problem is that we have got stuck in traditional ways of doing things.”
“For us, and the other teams that came up against Italy in the Six Nations, the plan was always to get as many points as possible against them because that could count when you got to the final round and the winner had to be decided on points difference.”
14 February 2015; Tommy Bowe, Ireland, in action against Scott Spedding, France. RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship, Ireland v France. Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
He was also full of praise for his native country and it was difficult not to see bias in his words, as he totally ignored the importance of the Six Nations for Italian rugby.
“The Six Nations is an extremely tough competition. I played in three editions of the tournament and it’s a different style of rugby in the north and the conditions are tough.
“But it’s probably just the type of rugby that suits the Springboks because they are physical upfront and do plenty of kicking.
“There is no doubt that the Boks are a quality side and I’m pretty sure they would come in as favourites. I think they would hold their own quite easily because they have a favourable record against the northern hemisphere sides.”
It is generally acknowledged that the South Africans would improve the Six Nations, despite potential logistical issues.
However, to allow them into the competition at the expense of Italy would be a travesty and would devastate Italian rugby. It would also severely weaken the Rugby Championship.
Thankfully the Six Nations released a statement denying any plans to exclude Italy from the tournament in place of South Africa.
From an Irish perspective, the 1990’s were not a kind decade to us in terms of our Five Nations results, and if we were able to turn it around, there should be belief that Italy can do likewise.
See Also: Eddie O'Sullivan Thinks Major Six Nations Change 'Inevitable'
