Super 10 (Italian premiership)
Encyclopedia
The withdrawal of Viadana and Benetton Treviso
from the league has been compounded by club mergers. Rugby Viadana, Gran Parma and Colorno have merged to form GranDucato Rugby. Overmach Parma and Noceto have merged to form Crociati, both new clubs to be based in Parma. These changes created 2 vacancies in the Super 10. Additionally Colorno and Noceto created vacancies in the second tier of Italian rugby as these 5 Parma area sides would only now field 2 professional senior teams between them. All 5 clubs are shareholders in Aironi
. For the 11/12 season, Calvisano, Reggio and San Gregorio Catania were all promoted. They took the places of Gran Parma, Roma Olimpic
and Venezia Mestre
2011-2012 Campionato Nazionale Eccellenza:
- (Crociati and GranDucato Rugby) is the only city to have two teams. The majority of the other teams are either from Veneto
or Lombardy
in the North of Italy
. Treviso
, Viadana and Calvisano
have dominated the championship in recent years but none now play in the top division.
Over time Italian rugby union
has evolved; the clubs are better equipped, better organised and have begun to train their players better. There is more sponsorship money and an influx of foreign players (some of whom have gone on to represent Italy after qualifying under the 3 year rule). In 2005 the FIR decided to introduce a rule requiring teams to field at least 12 Italians out of their 22 man squad. This was an effort to counter the top Italian players often playing in France which means that the Italian league is not a particularly good place to build the national team
.
Changes for 2008-2009
Rugby Calvisano
were forced to pull out of the competition for the 09-10 season due to financial difficulties, setting up an amateur side in the Serie A
. Roman clubs Capitolina and Futura Park Roma decided to combine and have also taken Calvisano's place in Europe due to their league position. These 2 clubs would also be the basis of the proposed new Magners League side, Praetorians Roma. L'Aquila and Prato were promoted from Serie A taking Calvisano's place and the spare Roman club's place.
, Italian teams competing in the Heineken Cup
and European Challenge Cup
, have generally struggled to compete against the more established club teams of the other Six Nations
countries. In response to this both John Kirwan, the former Italian coach, and David Pickering
, the Welsh Rugby Union
chairman, suggested that merged Italian teams should enter the Magners League, and in March 2009 the Celtic Rugby Board (Magners League) and FIR
announced an agreement in principle to add two Italian teams to the Magners League for 2010-11. These 2 teams are intended to offer Italian qualified players a higher standard of rugby to hone their skills. It will remove the best Italian players from the Super 10. It is envisaged after the change that the Super 10 will be a semi-professional
league only.
The two new Magners League teams were announced on 18 July 2009 as Aironi
, based in Viadana, and Praetorians Roma, from the capital. As of Oct 2009 it was announced the 2 teams to join the Magners League will be Benetton Treviso
and the newly formed club Aironi
. Praetorians Roma were nominated in the first round but failed to meet the criteria set down by the evaluators and Benetton Treviso were nominated instead. These new sides would also take the Italian qualification spots in the Heineken Cup
, and in future Super 10 champions would not likely play in Europe. However, these plans will not change before the 2010–11 season; while the new Magners League sides will take up Italy's Heineken Cup places, Italy will retain its previous four places in the Challenge Cup, which will be taken by top Super 10 teams.
The junior league is structured in the following way:
Benetton Rugby Treviso
Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company....
from the league has been compounded by club mergers. Rugby Viadana, Gran Parma and Colorno have merged to form GranDucato Rugby. Overmach Parma and Noceto have merged to form Crociati, both new clubs to be based in Parma. These changes created 2 vacancies in the Super 10. Additionally Colorno and Noceto created vacancies in the second tier of Italian rugby as these 5 Parma area sides would only now field 2 professional senior teams between them. All 5 clubs are shareholders in Aironi
Aironi
Aironi Rugby are an Italian professional rugby club competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. They represent the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.- Home ground :...
. For the 11/12 season, Calvisano, Reggio and San Gregorio Catania were all promoted. They took the places of Gran Parma, Roma Olimpic
Rugby Roma Olimpic
Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Rugby Roma Olimpic are an Italian professional rugby union team.Based in Rome, the senior team competed in the Italian top tier competition, the Super 10....
and Venezia Mestre
2011-2012 Campionato Nazionale Eccellenza:
- CalvisanoRugby CalvisanoRugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy....
- Cavalieri PratoRugby Club I Cavalieri PratoRugby Club I Cavalieri is a rugby union team from the city of Prato, Italy. They play in the 2010-11 version of the Super 10 having been classified 5th in the 09-10 Super 10 just missing out on the play-off.-History:...
- Crociati
- L'AquilaL'Aquila RugbyL'Aquila Rugby 1936 are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.The club is based in L'Aquila which is the capital of Abruzzo.The official colours of the club are black and green, the colours of the city of L'Aquila.-History:...
- Lazio Roma
- MoglianoMogliano RugbyMogliano Rugby is a rugby union team from the city of Mogliano Veneto, Italy. They play in the 2010-11 version of the Super 10 having been promoted from Serie A.-Current squad:2011/2012-See also:...
- Petrarca Padova
- ReggioExagerate Rugby ReggioCOSMO HAUS Rugby Reggio, also known as Rugby Reggio A. S. D., is an Italian semi-professional rugby union team. They currently play in Serie A....
- RovigoRugby RovigoRugby Rovigo Delta are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.They are based in Rovigo in Veneto....
- San Gregorio Catania
Overview
ParmaParma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
- (Crociati and GranDucato Rugby) is the only city to have two teams. The majority of the other teams are either from Veneto
Veneto
Veneto is one of the 20 regions of Italy. Its population is about 5 million, ranking 5th in Italy.Veneto had been for more than a millennium an independent state, the Republic of Venice, until it was eventually annexed by Italy in 1866 after brief Austrian and French rule...
or Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The capital is Milan. One-sixth of Italy's population lives in Lombardy and about one fifth of Italy's GDP is produced in this region, making it the most populous and richest region in the country and one of the richest in the whole of Europe...
in the North of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Treviso
Benetton Rugby Treviso
Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company....
, Viadana and Calvisano
Rugby Calvisano
Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy....
have dominated the championship in recent years but none now play in the top division.
Over time Italian rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
has evolved; the clubs are better equipped, better organised and have begun to train their players better. There is more sponsorship money and an influx of foreign players (some of whom have gone on to represent Italy after qualifying under the 3 year rule). In 2005 the FIR decided to introduce a rule requiring teams to field at least 12 Italians out of their 22 man squad. This was an effort to counter the top Italian players often playing in France which means that the Italian league is not a particularly good place to build the national team
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
.
Changes for 2008-2009
Rugby Calvisano
Rugby Calvisano
Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy....
were forced to pull out of the competition for the 09-10 season due to financial difficulties, setting up an amateur side in the Serie A
Serie A (rugby union)
Serie A is the name of the second tier of the Italian Rugby Union championship. Until the creation of the Super 10 in a 2002 restructuring exercise, it was the name of the top tier....
. Roman clubs Capitolina and Futura Park Roma decided to combine and have also taken Calvisano's place in Europe due to their league position. These 2 clubs would also be the basis of the proposed new Magners League side, Praetorians Roma. L'Aquila and Prato were promoted from Serie A taking Calvisano's place and the spare Roman club's place.
Magners League participation
Despite rising playing standards and more media attention on rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, Italian teams competing in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
and European Challenge Cup
European Challenge Cup
The European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
, have generally struggled to compete against the more established club teams of the other Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
countries. In response to this both John Kirwan, the former Italian coach, and David Pickering
David Pickering
For the Wales international rugby union player see David Pickering David Pickering is an experienced reference books compiler. He has contributed to some 150 reference books, mostly in the areas of the arts, language, local history and popular interest...
, the Welsh Rugby Union
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
chairman, suggested that merged Italian teams should enter the Magners League, and in March 2009 the Celtic Rugby Board (Magners League) and FIR
FIR
FIR or fir may refer to:*fir, a type of conifer tree*USCGC Fir, either of two buoy tenders of the United States Coast Guard*Fir , free ideal ring -Acronyms:* Falling In Reverse, a post-hardcore band...
announced an agreement in principle to add two Italian teams to the Magners League for 2010-11. These 2 teams are intended to offer Italian qualified players a higher standard of rugby to hone their skills. It will remove the best Italian players from the Super 10. It is envisaged after the change that the Super 10 will be a semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
league only.
The two new Magners League teams were announced on 18 July 2009 as Aironi
Aironi
Aironi Rugby are an Italian professional rugby club competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. They represent the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.- Home ground :...
, based in Viadana, and Praetorians Roma, from the capital. As of Oct 2009 it was announced the 2 teams to join the Magners League will be Benetton Treviso
Benetton Treviso
Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League...
and the newly formed club Aironi
Aironi
Aironi Rugby are an Italian professional rugby club competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. They represent the Italian regions of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.- Home ground :...
. Praetorians Roma were nominated in the first round but failed to meet the criteria set down by the evaluators and Benetton Treviso were nominated instead. These new sides would also take the Italian qualification spots in the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
, and in future Super 10 champions would not likely play in Europe. However, these plans will not change before the 2010–11 season; while the new Magners League sides will take up Italy's Heineken Cup places, Italy will retain its previous four places in the Challenge Cup, which will be taken by top Super 10 teams.
Format
Currently the Italian Senior leagues are structured in the following way:-- Italian Elite Championship (Campionato Nazionale Eccellenza) made up of 10 teams; the first four go into the playoff stage and the winner is Italian Champion; the last classified is relegated in Serie A division 1.
- Serie A: apparently Serie A is a unique-level tier, but is actually a two-ranks Division:
- Serie A pool 1: 12 teams that play each other home and away. The first three go into a playoff stage with the first one of pool 2 to win a place for the next Super 10; the last two go into a playout stage with the 9th and 10th of the pool 2; the loser go to Serie B, the winner are reassigned to pool 1, the midst two to pool 2.
- Serie A pool 2: same number of teams and structure as pool 1. The winner is promoted at least to pool 1, plus goes into the abovementioned playoff stage and has the possibility to be promoted in Super 10; the 12th goes straight in Serie B
- Serie B: divided in 4 same-rank pools of 12 teams each who play each other home and away; a playoff stage determines the 2 teams that are promoted to Serie A division 2
- Serie C: is the very 5th tier of Italian rugby union; is divided into regional divisions
The junior league is structured in the following way:
- Under 19 Championship: 3 divisions of 10 teams who play each other home and away
Past winners
|
Fiamme Oro Rugby Fiamme Oro Rugby are the rugby union club - formerly known as Fiamme Oro Padova - of the Italian Polizia di Stato sport division . Fiamme Oro are currently based in Rome and play in Serie B, in Group D... L'Aquila Rugby L'Aquila Rugby 1936 are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.The club is based in L'Aquila which is the capital of Abruzzo.The official colours of the club are black and green, the colours of the city of L'Aquila.-History:... |
Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
Finals
| Season | Champion | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | Rugby Viadana | 19-12 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
| 2002-03 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
34-12 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
| 2003-04 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
22-10 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
| 2004-05 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
25-20 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
| 2005-06 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
17-12 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
| 2006-07 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
28-24 (a.e.t) | Rugby Viadana |
| 2007-08 | Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
20-3 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
| 2008-09 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
29-20 | Rugby Viadana |
| 2009-10 | Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso Benetton Treviso may refer to either of the following sports clubs in Treviso, Italy, both owned by clothing giant Benetton:* Benetton Rugby Treviso, an Italian rugby union club that currently participates in the Magners League... |
16-12 | Rugby Viadana |
| 2010-11 | Petrarca Padova | 18-14 | Rovigo Delta |
Performance by club
| Club | Winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|
| Amatori Rugby Milano Amatori Rugby Milano Amatori Rugby Milano are an Italian rugby union team based in Milan that currently play in Serie A1 .... - Ambrosiana Milano |
18 | 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1946, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 |
| Benetton Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian professional rugby union club currently competing in the RaboDirect Pro12 and the Heineken Cup.They are based in Treviso in Veneto, and owned by the Benetton clothing company.... |
15 | 1956, 1978, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 |
| Petrarca | 12 | 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 2011 |
| Rugby Rovigo Rugby Rovigo Rugby Rovigo Delta are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.They are based in Rovigo in Veneto.... |
11 | 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1976, 1979, 1988, 1990 |
| Rugby Roma Rugby Roma Olimpic Società Sportiva Dilettantistica Rugby Roma Olimpic are an Italian professional rugby union team.Based in Rome, the senior team competed in the Italian top tier competition, the Super 10.... |
5 | 1935, 1937, 1948, 1949, 2000 |
| Fiamme Oro Padova | 5 | 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1968 |
| L'Aquila Rugby L'Aquila Rugby L'Aquila Rugby 1936 are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in Super 10.The club is based in L'Aquila which is the capital of Abruzzo.The official colours of the club are black and green, the colours of the city of L'Aquila.-History:... |
5 | 1967, 1969, 1981, 1982, 1994 |
| Parma Rugby | 3 | 1950, 1955, 1957 |
| Calvisano Rugby Calvisano Rugby Calvisano are an Italian rugby union club currently competing in National Championship of Excellence.They are based in Calvisano , in Lombardy.... |
2 | 2005, 2008 |
| Partenope | 2 | 1965, 1966 |
| Viadana | 1 | 2002 |
| Concordia Brescia Rugby | 1 | 1975 |
| Ginnastica Torino R.S. Ginnastica Torino Reale Società Ginnastica Torino is a sports club from Turin, founded on 17 March 1844. It is the oldest of its kind in Italy, it is most famous for competing in the Italian Football Championship with its football section which opened in 1897.... |
1 | 1947 |
See also
- Rugby union in ItalyRugby union in ItalyRugby union was introduced to Italy in the early 1900s. The Super 10 competition is the main national club competition. The two professional teams in the country are active in Pro12 and also participate in the Heineken Cup. Four italian clubs from the national championship compete in the European...
- Italy national rugby union teamItaly national rugby union teamThe Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
- Heineken CupHeineken CupThe Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
- European Challenge CupEuropean Challenge CupThe European Challenge Cup, currently known for sponsorship reasons as the Amlin Challenge Cup, is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup. The cup was known as the Parker Pen Shield from 2001 to 2003 and Parker Pen Challenge Cup from 2003 to 2005. The European...
- European ShieldEuropean ShieldThe European Shield was a reprechage tournament for teams knocked out in the first round of the European Challenge Cup in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The name "European Shield" had previously been used for the now renamed European Challenge Cup....