Mauro Bergamasco: The Italy Flanker’s Unconventional Scrum-Half Appearance

Long before the emergence of hybrid players like Ben Earl and André Esterhuizen, Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco found himself in an extraordinary situation – starting at scrum-half against England in the 2009 Six Nations. This unexpected move, born out of desperation, remains a memorable moment in Italian rugby history.

The Context: A Scrum-Half Crisis

In February 2009, Italy faced a significant challenge ahead of their Six Nations clash with England at Twickenham. A string of injuries had depleted their scrum-half options, leaving head coach Nick Mallett with a challenging decision. Simon Picone, Pietro Travagli, and Pablo Canavosio were all sidelined due to injury [1].

The Decision: Bergamasco at Scrum-Half

With no fit scrum-halves of Test quality available, Mallett turned to Mauro Bergamasco, a seasoned openside flanker with 69 international caps at the time. Mallett believed Bergamasco’s defensive skills and kicking ability might offer some stability in the unfamiliar position [1]. He even considered asking assistant coach Alessandro Troncon, a former Italy scrum-half, to play, but Troncon declined due to a lack of fitness.

The Match: A Difficult Day at Twickenham

On February 7, 2009, Bergamasco took to the field at Twickenham as Italy’s starting scrum-half. The match proved challenging, as England dominated, scoring five tries and winning 36-11. Bergamasco struggled to adapt to the demands of the role and was substituted at halftime [1]. The decision to play him out of position was widely criticized.

Reflections from Mallett and Bergamasco

Nick Mallett acknowledged the desperation that led to the decision. He stated that he hadn’t anticipated a situation where Italy would struggle to field a qualified scrum-half, noting that the position was often filled by overseas players in the Italian league [2]. He expressed regret for putting Bergamasco in such a difficult position and apologized to the player and the team.

Bergamasco himself reflected on the experience, stating that switching positions required significant time to develop new habits. He highlighted the different body positions required for a flanker versus a scrum-half, particularly the impact on passing accuracy. He also noted the challenge of suppressing instinctive flanker tendencies while trying to play the scrum-half role [1].

A Precedent for Hybrid Players

While the 2009 experiment with Bergamasco at scrum-half didn’t yield the desired results, it foreshadowed the modern trend of utilizing hybrid players. Today, players like André Esterhuizen and Ben Earl routinely switch between positions, adding versatility and maximizing team output. However, Mallett emphasized the importance of proper preparation and development for players taking on unfamiliar roles, something that was lacking in Bergamasco’s case [2].

Mauro Bergamasco’s Career

Mauro Bergamasco, born May 1, 1979, enjoyed a distinguished rugby career, primarily as an open-side flanker. He played for Petrarca, Benetton Treviso, Stade Français, Aironi, and Zebre, earning 106 caps for Italy between 1998 and 2015 [1]. He is considered one of Italy’s best players in his preferred position. His brother, Mirco Bergamasco, is also a professional rugby player, and both featured on the cover of the Italian version of EA Sports’ Rugby 08.