The Women’s Rugby XV Team lost this Saturday 5-22 against Italy at the Baldiri Aleu in their first game of the year. Las Leonas, who began by dominating the transalpine team, deserved more but the Italians punished every mistake made by Juan González’s team, demonstrating their greatest performance.
The start of Las Leonas in 2023, as a preview of the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship 2023, began with Spain imposing its game against Italy. After 20 minutes of local dominance, the transalpines, through their opening Verónica Madia, punished the lack of Spanish effectiveness adding a test in their first foray into the rival 22 and filling the Spanish attack with doubts. Before the break, Italy would penalize rival errors two more times, increasing their lead with two marks, the work of Aura Muzzo and Francesca Granzotto.
In the second half, despite the fact that the game was equalized, Italy once again increased its advantage with Giada Franco’s test. In the final minutes, the changes gave air to Spain and Vico Gorrochategui, in his debut, achieved the mark that closed the final score at 5-22.
After this preparation match against a World Cup and 6 Nations team, Las Leonas will begin the defense of their European title on Sunday at the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship 2023. The Netherlands, in Sitges, will be Spain’s first rival in the European Championship.