Latest news with #ElenaErrichiello
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italy overcome Wales in thrilling 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series contest
By Phil Campbell Chiara Cheli's second-half hattrick saw Italy to a thrilling 28-24 victory over Wales to round off their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series with a win. Cheli's third score proved to be the difference during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Wales came up just short despite bagging four tries of their own. The two sides were quick out of the blocks as they both looked to assert themselves over the other during the opening exchanges. Wales were then able to up the ante and enjoyed success down the left wing with Nia Fajeyisan in particular causing Italy problems with her speed and athleticism. But it was Italy who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes through talismanic captain Elena Errichiello. The No. 8 has been a constant spark for her side during this Women's Summer Series, and she was able to cross over following a strong showing from her forwards near Wales' tryline. Lavinia Pratichetti ensured the extra two points, but the competition hosts rallied after falling behind. Molly Wakely breached the Italian backline on 25 minutes, capping off a period of Welsh pressure to get them on the scoreboard, and the side led by Branwen Metcalfe took the lead 10 minutes later when the dangerous Savannah Picton-Powell skilfully scored. Italy hit back after the break and took advantage of a Welsh lineout error five metres from their line. The throw went long from the touchline and Cheli capitalised to drive over. Pratichetti was clinical from the tee once again as Italy found themselves leading 14-12. But the game continued to unfold in a pendulum-like fashion as four minutes later, Wales retook the lead. A blistering move got the home side within touching distance of the Italian tryline down the right, but when it became obvious the left side would prove fruitful, the ball was worked brilliantly out wide, and Seren Singleton was on hand to finish the move off. Italy's physical prowess has been a strength of theirs through this Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score a virtually identical second try to her first – burrowing over off the back of a ruck – to hand back the initiative to the team in blue. Much like a heavyweight slugfest, both teams continued to trade blows, and Chiara Pearce landed the next telling shot, dotting down to edge Wales back in front for a third time. However, Cheli's third close-range try with six minutes to go, and Pratichetti 100% conversion record, proved decisive in one of the games of the competition.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales U20s end Summer Series with Italy loss
Wales Under-20s rounded off their Six Nations Summer Series with a narrow 24-28 defeat by Italy Under-20s in Ystrad Errichiello touched down midway through the opening half, with Lavinia Pratichetti converting as Italy led 7-0 at the Centre for Sporting Wales hit back with their first try through Molly Wakely on 25 minutes, with Savannah Picton-Powell's score and Hanna Marshall's conversion five minutes before the break putting the hosts 12-7 ahead at Italians restored their lead with a try from Chiara Cheli and a second conversion from Pratichetti shortly after the lead changed hands a further three times in quick succession as Cheli scored her second try of the contest in between tries from Seren Singleton and Chiara Pearce - Ffion Williams adding the extras for the Cheli completed her hat-trick in the 74th minute - with Pratichetti maintaining her 100% record of converting - as the Italians snatched a late ensured Liza Burgess' side ended their campaign with just one win from their trio of fixtures having lost 27-10 to Ireland in their opener before beating Scotland 52-20 in their second in the day, Ireland secured an emphatic 62-7 victory against Scotland, with England rounding off their campaign against France at 18:00 BST.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lucie Moioli takes lots of positives from France U20 Summer Series loss
By Phil Campbell Lucie Moioli insists Italy will take a lot of positives from their 46-5 defeat to France into their second match of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series against England. Italy defended stoically for much of the game but ultimately couldn't stop France running in eight tries - with Elina Folituu helping herself to a hat-trick in the process – to claim the spoils at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. Advertisement In the few trips to the French 22 that Italy had, they were able to register a try of their own through prop Alice Antonazzo in the second half and Moioli hopes her side can build on the performance they put in after the break. 'I can tell you the second half was a lot better than the first half,' she said. 'Our captain [Elena Errichiello] said that to us. She said that we knew it was going to be a hard game. We were quite happy with what we did, but we know now what to work on and how to prepare for the next game against England.' France imposed themselves from the off and despite the best efforts of Italy's defence, they benefitted time and again from their physicality, as well as their skill, with Folituu's treble – all scored off the back of rolling mauls – highlighting that fact. Advertisement Moioli explained her side expected France to take the game to them and was proud of their rearguard effort throughout the 80 minutes. 'We were mentally prepared, we knew there would be a lot of defence going on,' she continued. 'There was good defence from our centres and our forwards were really going hard. I'm really proud of what we did. 'It was a big mindset game in the second half, and we were really tired because France is a big opponent. 'We tried to keep our defence up the best that we could, whilst also staying fierce and trying to push through.' And despite the one-sided nature of the result, Moioli was pleased with the togetherness her team demonstrated and the fact they kept fighting until the end. Advertisement Shed added: 'We were very united, even after the French scored, we were always all together and trying to keep each other focussed and we pushed through together as a team.' 'I think we can play very well against England, and we can take all the positive things that we did against France and make more of them in the next game. I hope for better next time.' Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Powys County Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Elena Errichiello relishing chance to repeat U20 Six Nations success
Italian captain Elena Errichiello is well-versed in U20 Six Nations Women's Summer Series success and is hoping for more of the same this year. The 22-year-old is returning for the second edition of the U20 tournament, which debuted in her native Italy, and after finishing with a 100% record after wins over Ireland, Scotland and Wales 12 months ago, Errichiello is relishing the challenge of repeating the feat. Standing in Italy's way during the opening round of 2025 U20 Six Nations Women's Summer Series fixtures is France, another side who also claimed three wins last year, at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, South Wales. And No. 8 Errichiello is expecting her side's opponents to be a tough test. 'We are so excited [to play France] but also, we feel a bit of pressure on us because we want to do well and better than last year,' she said. 'We won three of our three games, and we hope to do the same this year.' Errichiello plays domestically for Unione Rugby Capitolina in Rome, having started playing the sport aged 10, and explained there's a good feeling around the camp ahead of their opening clash. 'We are so excited, because we trained a lot to get here,' she continued. 'Last year we did good things, and I hope we can build on those. 'In the time we have been together, we have created a good team and we are ready to go.' Following on from the 2024 U20 Six Nations Women's Summer Series, 14 players across the six countries went on to achieve senior honours during the 2025 Guinness Women's Six Nations, including Italy's Alia Antonietta Bitonci, with Errichiello, despite not winning a cap, also being called up to the senior side during the 2024 WXV. And Errichiello highlighted the importance of the tournament for giving players the opportunity to stand out and to use it as a springboard to break into the senior team. 'It's a great opportunity, with me, I went to train with the major team thanks to the Summer Series, so it's a really good chance for us,' she added. 'It is important for us because it is a good opportunity, and it is a step to get to the major team. It's a better level and we want to get there.' With women's rugby on an upward trajectory, the Summer Series is a big chance for stars of the future to gain vital international experience, graduate along the development pathway, while also inspiring a new generation of rugby fans. Spread across three dates during July, Italy will also face England on 11 July before rounding off their campaign against Wales six days later. Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, added: 'The Women's Summer Series is an essential part of the strategy and commitment of Six Nations Rugby, and the six unions and federations, to proactively support the creation and growth of opportunities in the women's game.'
