Italian domestic league gets underway

Federazione Italiana Rugby League has launched their 2013 season, headlined by an enlarged Serie A championship that incorporates geographical expansion into central Italy, with three clubs joining fours in the north west and north east zones.
The North West group kicks off the championship this week, with Milan outfit XIII del Duomo taking on near neighbours XIII del Bresà, then, on Friday, the North East group commences with Padova RL playing Arieti Este RL.
The regional stage of the championship will identify the four teams that advance to the semi-finals, which will take place on Saturday 6 July. The Serie A Grand Final will be staged a week later at Modena Rugby Stadium.
11 teams will compete for the title of Italian champions: North West Roosters, XIII del Duomo, XIII del Ducato, XIII del Bresà, Arieti Este, Padova RL, Grifons Padova, XIII della Ghirlandina, Firenze RL and Sharks Tirreno.
In addition to the men’s competition, two Women’s matches are set for June 15 and June 21 in Piacenza and Monza, while the Leoni Veneti (north east) and Longobardi (north west) under-18s representative teams will play on June 22 and June 29 to select the side that will face Serbia under-18s on July 6 in Este.
As well as launching the domestic season, FIRL presented its comprehensive representative calendar to the country’s media, which at senior level begins on June 29 with Russia’s visit in the European Shield, and ends with participation in Rugby League World Cup 2013.
Italy Women and Italy under-21s will play abroad in a tournament being organised by the Ile de France RL committee in Paris at the end of June.
Kelly Rolleston, assistant coach of the Italian national team and development manager for the North West, said:
“This year the Serie A will be very competitive. FIRL is implementing a selection process which will give the opportunity to the domestic players to wear the Azzurri shirt in the European Shield with the aim to get into the Italy World Cup squad. "
Rolleston is also the coach of Piacenza’s defending champion side XIII del Ducato. He added:
“I hope we can repeat last season’s results, although I’m aware that this year will be much more difficult due to the presence of new, solid clubs and that each of those has a Rugby League coach trained by FIRL.”
Italy face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on October 26, Scotland at Derwent Park on November 3 and Tonga at The Shay on November 10.
Tickets are now on sale for RLWC2013, with 55% of tickets priced £20 or less. To make sure you will BE THERE buy now at www.rlwc2013.com/tickets or call our 24 Hour Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 2013.
Source : www.rlwc2013.com