Mid-Season Review - Where is Italian rugby at?

With the URC season reaching its midpoint and the Challenge Cup heating up, it’s the perfect time to take stock of Italian rugby’s progress on the European stage. In this episode, we dive deep into the campaigns of Zebre Parma and Benetton Treviso, analysing where they’ve grown, where they’ve stumbled, and what lies ahead in the second half of the season.

We break down Zebre’s development as a competitive side, their performances at home and away, and what their evolving identity means for the future of Italian rugby. Meanwhile, we assess Benetton’s push to remain a consistent URC contender, their squad depth, and how their style of play stacks up against the league’s elite.

With both teams also navigating the Challenge Cup, we discuss their European journeys so far, key matches, standout players, and what a successful run in the competition could mean for Italian rugby as a whole.

From emerging Italian talent to coaching strategies and the wider national picture, this is a thoughtful, honest, and passionate mid-season review for anyone invested in the Azzurri game.