It's a shame, but...

...it looks as if Six Nations trips to Rome are a thing of the past now that the Italian Rugby Federation, having fallen out with the owners of Rome's Stadio Flaminio, has decided to move matches to Florence.

A lack of progress in improving the Stadio Flaminio's ageing facilities seems to be the reason for the decision, a decision which is disappointing for 2 reasons:

(1) at least from the comfort of my armchair the atmosphere inside the Stadio Flaminio always looks great; and;
(2) I have yet to watch a rugby international in Rome, and a trip in the next few years was certainly in the back of my mind.

So, whilst I would have appreciated the Italian Rugby Federation consulting me before taking such drastic action, it does look as if I might have to content myself with a trip to the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence instead. I can think of worse places to go...