Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Rugby World Cup 2021 - Symbol
Sign up for the latest news and ticket information.
Sign Up
Worldwide Partners
Worldwide Partners
Rugby World Cup 2021 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2021 - Symbol Rugby World Cup 2021 - Logo
Listen Live
  • Matches
  • Knockouts
  • VIDEO
  • Store
  • Video
  • Matches
  • Knockouts
  • Teams
  • Stats
  • Store
  • Play Predictor
  • Play Dream Team
  • Where to watch
  • News
  • Officials
  • Visit
  • POI
  • Official App
  • About RWC 2021
  • Hospitality
  • Sustainability
  • ChildFund Rugby
  • Media
  • Qualifying
  • Women In Rugby
  • Contact us
  • ← Rugby World Cup
  • ← World.Rugby
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
  • Play Predictor
  • Play Dream Team
  • Where to watch
  • News
  • Officials
  • Visit
  • POI
  • Official App
  • About RWC 2021
  • Hospitality
  • Sustainability
  • ChildFund Rugby
  • Media
  • Qualifying
  • Women In Rugby
  • Contact us
  • ← Rugby World Cup
  • ← World.Rugby

Our Social Channels

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Latest News
Claire Cruikshank

Women in Rugby

Lasting impact of Rugby World Cup 2021 Coaching Internship Programme

On International Women’s Day, we take a look at the RWC 2021 Coaching Internship Programme and some of its early successes.
Wed 8 March, 2023
· 3 min read
England v New Zealand - Rugby World Cup 2021: Final

Women's rugby

Brilliant spectacle pulls in record crowds for women's rugby

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we take a look back at 2022, a year in which boundaries were constantly pushed back in the women’s game.
Wed 8 March, 2023
· 3 min read
New Zealand v England - Rugby World Cup 2021: Final

Rugby World Cup 2021

The story of the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup 2021 winning year

We caught up with columnist and Women in Rugby Aotearoa trustee, Alice Soper to discuss an incredible year for New Zealand that ended with the Black Ferns securing a sixth women’s Rugby World Cup title.
Wed 11 January, 2023
· 6 min read
Jessy Trémoulière meets Jessy

Rugby World Cup 2021

‘Try and Stop Us for Children’ helped pupils “discover the world through rugby”

Following the conclusion of Rugby World Cup 2021, we caught up with Olivier Reggiani whose project brought schoolchildren from across the globe together in support of the tournament.
Thu 1 December, 2022
· 2 min read
World Rugby logo - one to use for generic releases

media statement

Independent disciplinary process update: Lydia Thompson (England)

England winger Lydia Thompson has been suspended for three matches having received a red card in the Rugby World Cup 2021 final for an offence pursuant to Law 9.13 (Dangerous tackle).
Tue 22 November, 2022
· 1 min read
Latest Videos
Best Moments Of The Tournament
03:01 mins

Best Moments Of The Tournament

Fri 18 November, 2022
RWC Best Scrums
02:16 mins

RWC Best Scrums

Fri 18 November, 2022
RWC Best Offloads
02:33 mins

RWC Best Offloads

Fri 18 November, 2022
RWC Best Kicks, Steps, Dummies
04:01 mins

RWC Best Kicks, Steps, Dummies

Fri 18 November, 2022
RWC Top Speedsters
01:31 mins

RWC Top Speedsters

Fri 18 November, 2022
Rugby World Cup 2021
Saturday 18 September, 2021
· 2 min read

History maker Sara Barattin set to become first Italian woman to play 100 test matches

Presented By
Italy scrum-half Barattin will become only the eighth female player in history to reach the landmark when the hosts play Ireland in the Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier on Sunday.
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied

Italy scrum-half Sara Barattin will join an elite club on Sunday when she becomes the first Italian woman to win a century of test caps.

Barattin, who marked her 99th Azzurre appearance with a try against Scotland on Monday, will become only the eighth woman in history to reach the landmark when she runs out against Ireland in the Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier.

Of the previous seven female centurions, five are English, one is Scottish and one is Welsh, meaning the 35-year-old will also be the first woman from outside of the UK to win 100 caps.

Set to become the first woman to play 💯 times for @federugby 🇮🇹

Congratulazioni, Sara Barattin! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Efd9bDUzBY

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 18, 2021

Scrum-half Barattin made her debut as a replacement against Germany in April, 2005, scoring a try in the process, and has been a near-constant presence in the team ever since.

Italy have grown into a competitive force on the Women’s Six Nations over those 16 years, and coach Andrea Di Giandomenico believes Barattin’s achievement is representative of the team’s own journey.

“She's the first player in Italy [to win 100 caps], I hope she's not the last. I think it's a mirror from all those years when we fought against tradition,” Di Giandomenico told World Rugby.

“When I started (as coach) and Sara stayed in the squad, we'd never beaten France. OK, now we’ve done that (three times). 

“So Sara, at the moment, I think represents all the Italian team. It's the journey, it’s the good and bad of the journey we did together. 

“Of course, for me she's a great player in Italy, the history from Sara in 15s and sevens is a clear example for all the young players. 

“She has leadership, at the moment she's not captain anymore, but [she has] big leadership in the squad always. 

“On the rugby pitch, when you see someone smile, you know Sara Barattin is on the pitch. This is the best for me.”

‘Fundamental they enjoy the game’

Barattin’s continued importance to the Azzurre was highlighted last Monday, when she scored her side’s third try against Scotland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Ilaria Arrighetti played a pivotal role in that score, before later adding a try of her own, and the flanker is in line to reach a milestone on Sunday too, as she wins her 50th cap.

Arrighetti and Barattin are part of an experienced core of the Italy team that has grown together under Di Giandomenico and shares a bond on and off the pitch that could prove pivotal during the RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier.

“It's fundamental that they enjoy the game. You see, in the past we built this,” Di Giandomenico said.

“We built up this link [between] the players over many years. I think when you share the philosophy of rugby, of training and the players understand this in depth afterwards on the pitch, you can see where you can have this connection. 

“It's important because it is not a skill, it's not an activity, it's not a drill. It's something deeper, you can feel the game. 

“If all the squad feel the same game, you can see this connection.” 

The RWC 2021 Europe Qualifier will be live streamed across rugbyworldcup.com/2021, Rugby World Cup Facebook and Twitter channels and on World Rugby’s YouTube channel.

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup 2021 Europe Qualifier: Teams focused on winning ticket to New Zealand >>

Rugby World Cup 2021 - Logo

Teams

Video

News

Volunteer

Tickets

  • Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2023. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Rugby World Cup
  • World Rugby Media Zone