What Do Italians Call Rugby? The Local Name and Culture Behind the Game

Ask an Italian where rugby is played, and they won’t say rugby. They’ll say rugby-but with a twist. It’s the same word, but spoken differently, lived differently, and rooted in a history most outsiders never hear. If you’ve ever watched Italian rugby fixtures and wondered why the crowd chants like it’s a soccer match, or why the players look like they’ve been wrestling in the Alps, you’re not imagining it. Rugby in Italy isn’t just a sport. It’s a regional identity wrapped in woolen scarves and loud, passionate crowds.

Italians Call It ‘Rugby’-But It’s Not the Same

Yes, Italians say rugby. Pronounced roo-gee-bee, with a rolled ‘r’ and a soft ‘b’. No translation. No local name like calcio for football. The word stayed the same because the game arrived as a foreign import-and never fully left its British roots. But that’s where the similarity ends.

When rugby landed in Italy in the early 1900s, it was brought by British expats, students returning from the UK, and soldiers after World War I. It took hold in the north, especially in regions like Lombardy and Veneto, where industrial towns had the money and structure to build clubs. By the 1920s, the first Italian rugby federation was formed. The name never changed because the sport was seen as elite, modern, and international. To rename it would’ve felt like losing its prestige.

Today, the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) runs over 1,200 clubs and has 45,000 registered players. That’s not huge compared to France or England, but it’s growing. And in places like Padova, Treviso, and Calvisano, rugby isn’t just a game-it’s a weekend ritual. Families pack into small stadia, kids wear replica jerseys with names like Monti or Bianchi, and the noise level rivals Serie A football matches.

Why Italy’s Rugby Style Is Unique

Watch an Italian team play, and you’ll notice something odd: they don’t always play the way the British or Aussies teach. There’s less structure. More improvisation. More raw energy. That’s not a flaw-it’s culture.

Italian rugby leans into physicality over precision. Tackles are high, scrums are explosive, and lineouts often turn into chaotic piles. Why? Because many players come from backgrounds in wrestling, football, or even weightlifting. In northern Italy, rugby clubs often double as community gyms. Kids start playing at 12, but they’ve already been lifting weights since they were 10. Their bodies are built for collision, not finesse.

This style has a name: rugby alla italiana. It’s not official, but fans and coaches use it. It means: play hard, play loud, play with heart. You won’t see a lot of tactical kicking or structured backline moves. Instead, you’ll see a fly-half sprint 30 meters with three defenders clinging to him, just because he can. It’s not always pretty. But it’s always exciting.

That’s why Italian teams often beat stronger sides on home soil. In 2022, Italy stunned Argentina in Padova with a 28-24 win. Argentina had more experience, more professional players, more funding. But Italy had the crowd. The noise. The sheer, unfiltered will to win. That’s rugby alla italiana.

The Fixtures That Matter Most

If you’re looking for Italian rugby fixtures, don’t just check the Six Nations schedule. The real pulse of Italian rugby beats in the domestic league: the Top10.

Top10 is Italy’s top-tier professional competition. It’s not as polished as the Pro14 or Top 14, but it’s raw, fast, and packed with local heroes. Teams like Benetton Treviso, Zebre Parma, and Calvisano have fanbases that sell out 10,000-seat stadiums. In Calvisano, a town of just 12,000 people, the local club draws crowds bigger than the town’s population. That’s not marketing-it’s pride.

Fixtures between Treviso and Zebre are like derbies. The rivalry isn’t just about points-it’s about history. Treviso has been around since 1932. Zebre was formed in 2012 as Italy’s second professional team to compete in the United Rugby Championship. The tension? Real. Fans wear team colors like armor. The match-day rituals? Unchanged for decades: sausage sandwiches, local wine, and chants in dialect.

And then there’s the Six Nations. Italy joined in 2000, and while they’ve never won the tournament, their matches against Ireland or France feel like national events. When Italy beat France in 2013 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, over 60,000 people showed up. It was the biggest rugby crowd in Italian history. The win didn’t change the standings. But it changed how Italians saw themselves in the sport.

Where Rugby Is Growing-and Where It’s Struggling

Rugby in Italy isn’t evenly spread. It’s a north-south divide.

In the north, rugby thrives. Cities like Milan, Bologna, and Verona have strong academies, sponsorships from local businesses, and youth programs tied to schools. The region’s industrial wealth helped fund clubs. Parents see rugby as a way to build discipline, teamwork, and toughness.

In the south? It’s harder. There’s less funding. Fewer facilities. And competing sports-like football and volleyball-dominate. But change is happening. In Sicily, a small club in Catania started a girls’ team in 2020. By 2025, they had over 150 players under 18. In Naples, a program called Rugby per Tutti (Rugby for Everyone) brings kids from low-income neighborhoods onto the pitch. No equipment? They use donated jerseys. No field? They play on parking lots.

The FIR has invested €15 million since 2020 to expand grassroots programs in the south. It’s not enough. But it’s a start. And the results are showing. In 2024, Italy’s U20 team had more players from Sicily and Calabria than ever before.

How Italian Rugby Differs From the Rest of Europe

Compare Italian rugby to French or English rugby, and you’ll see big differences.

French rugby is structured, tactical, and professional. Clubs like Toulouse and Clermont have billion-euro budgets. Players train in state-of-the-art centers. The game is scientific.

English rugby is about tradition. Premiership clubs are old, wealthy, and tied to schools and universities. The game is polished, but sometimes stiff.

Italian rugby? It’s alive. Messy. Human. Players often work part-time jobs. Coaches are volunteers. Stadiums are old. But the passion? It’s unmatched.

That’s why Italian rugby doesn’t need a new name. It doesn’t need to copy anyone. It’s not trying to be the best. It’s trying to be itself. And that’s why, even when they lose, Italians still sing after the final whistle.

The Future of Rugby in Italy

Italy’s national team is still a long way from winning the Six Nations. But the foundation is stronger than ever. Youth participation has grown 30% since 2020. Women’s rugby is expanding fast-over 10,000 female players now. And the Top10 league is slowly becoming more professional, with better TV deals and sponsorships.

Next big step? A new national stadium. Italy doesn’t have one. They play home games in Rome, Padova, or even Florence. A dedicated rugby stadium would be a game-changer. It’s been talked about since 2018. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

And when it’s built? It won’t be called Stadio del Calcio or Stadio del Football. It’ll be called Stadio del Rugby. Because in Italy, they don’t translate the game. They own it.