Italy captain Lamaro proud perception has changed

Captain Michele Lamaro eloquently summed up how the perception around Italy has changed after they fell short in their bid for back-to-back Six Nations wins in Saturday's absorbing contest against Ireland.

After beating Scotland in Rome, Italy arrived in Dublin with confidence and were the better team for large periods against the Irish, who withstood intense pressure from the Azzurri in the closing stages to win 20-13.

And after Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada spoke of his pride in his team's performance, Lamaro was asked about their growing belief.

"This is my fifth year as a captain in the Six Nations and I remember my first year, the main question was, 'what do you think about Italy leaving the Six Nations?'," said the Benetton back row.

"I've never believed that in a couple of years you can change things up too much. I always have a humble mindset because I know how much it takes to get to that level to be able to come here and perform and compete against an unbelievable team like Ireland.

"The perception means a lot. The belief we've created, I didn't have that growing up.

"I grew up with us being last in the table and that's the thing I'm most proud of, me coming through with a bunch of guys who might be able to win the championship one day."

Lamaro, who was named Italy captain by Quesada's predecessor Kieran Crowley in 2021, added that the squad wants to "inspire people".

"Inspiring people around us, inspiring the kids coming through, giving them the chances we didn't have," added the 27-year-old.

"That's what we want to create. Sometimes it's tough because you find yourself in a tough situation but trusting the process is what you can do to have long-term ambition and legacy you can create.

"That makes us really proud and thank you for that [saying that Italy have improved] because it makes us proud to see how much the perception of the team has changed."

When Quesada and Lamaro last led Italy into a match in Dublin, they lost 36-0.

However, on Saturday, the Azzurri faced an Irish side lacking confidence after a bruising defeat by France in Paris last week.

"Obviously we wanted to take advantage of that. We knew if we put them under scoreboard pressure, it would have been very difficult for them.

"I've been in that situation before around mindsets. You have to perform and beat the team in front of you but if you're down after 20, 30 minutes, it can become a real pain in...I don't say where.

"They have some unbelievable players and they showed how much they care for this group and country. You always expect Ireland to be a world-class team.

"Ups and downs happen to every team in the world. At the moment, they haven't been what they want to be but I'm pretty sure they have all the abilities to get back."

Lamaro also ended Italy's post-match news conference with an unprompted tribute to Hollie Davidson after the Scottish official became the first woman to referee a men's Six Nations game.

"I just want to congratulate her," he said.

"She has been doing so much for world rugby and our game and I think it's an important thing to say.

"I appreciated the work we did together today on the pitch.

"Whatever the decision was, I was backing her and making sure everything was going the right way so I just want to congratulate her and thank her for the effort on the field."