Italy-England sales break 50,000-mark

With a month to go before Italy’s first home Six Nations game of the season, sales for the rugby match against England at the Stadio Olimpico have already topped 50,000.

Italian Rugby Federation president Giancarlo Dondi an-nounced the figure earlier this week, adding that only 6,500 of those have been bought by away fans.

It is already close to double the number of spectators Italy used to get at the cosy Stadio Flaminio just a short walk away.

“I got goosebumps when I saw a great stadium like this with rugby posts,” said Dondi.

“It’s a reward, a step forward to show the great growth of our sport in Italy. Now I hope we can fill this structure which we hope can be-come our home in future.”