San Benedetto turned blue in support of the National Rugby Team. The enthusiasm and charm of the oval ball conquered the Adriatic coast as it prepared itself to host the Cattolica Test Match against Russia on 17 August. This was the last match in Italy for Mr O’Shea's boys before they depart for the World Cup in Japan. An unmissable event for fans of the sport but also for the many families who decided to spend some time in one of the Italians’ holiday hotspots. For the entire week before the match that saw Parisse and his team-mates dominate over the Russian bears, the city hosted beach rugby events and mini-tournaments.

Selfies, merchandise, candid snapshots: all in the name of friendship and the values that unite rugby and Cattolica Assicurazioni, the main sponsor of the Federation.
It was impossible to miss the National team's mascots, Angelo and Angela, and their contagious smiles. After their whirlwind romance during the retreat at Pergine Valsugana, the two finally found themselves amidst the palms of San Benedetto and it was love at first sight.
This love certainly brought good luck to the Azzurri: the success against Russia was the best way to prepare for the challenge in Japan.