In the second of two matches sponsored by Jaguar and promoted by the Provincia di Roma, the Italian rugby team will play against Argentina on 18 November at 15.00 at the Stadio Flaminio. In the first of the matches, on 11 November, the Italian team, under the French coach Pierre Bebizier, lost to Australia, three times world champions, 25 to 18.

Rugby was a game much favoured by Mussolini, but fell from popularity after the collapse of his regime on account of its Fascist connotations. However, it is enjoying a considerable revival, largely due to media coverage of Italys commendable performances in the Six Nations Championships, to which the country was admitted in 2000. The next Six Nations Championship is due to take place in February and March 2007.