In February 2009, Italy’s rugby team faced a challenging dilemma as they prepared for their Six Nations clash against England at Twickenham. With a string of injuries depleting their scrum-half options, head coach Nick Mallett made a controversial decision: he chose to start openside flanker Mauro Bergamasco at the pivotal number nine position. The outcome of this gamble would exit a lasting mark on both Bergamasco’s career and Italian rugby history.
Bergamasco, an experienced player with 69 caps at the time, was thrust into an unfamiliar role, one that required different skill sets, and instincts. Mallett’s decision came out of necessity; Italy was without any fit scrum-halves of Test quality, with Simon Picone, Pietro Travagli, and Pablo Canavosio all sidelined due to injuries. Mallett’s desperation led him to believe that Bergamasco, known for his defensive prowess and kicking ability, could handle the pressure of playing against a formidable English side.
On February 7, 2009, the match kicked off, and it quickly became apparent that Bergamasco was out of his depth. England dominated the game, scoring five tries and winning decisively by a score of 36-11. Bergamasco was substituted at halftime after struggling to adapt to the demands of the role, and the decision to use him as a scrum-half was heavily criticized by the media and fans alike.
Why Bergamasco Was Thrust into the Scrum-Half Role
In the lead-up to the match, Mallett had explored all available options. He even attempted to convince assistant coach Alessandro Troncon, Italy’s most-capped scrum-half, to don the jersey once more, but Troncon declined, citing a lack of fitness. The situation left Mallett with few choices, and he ultimately decided to shift Bergamasco from flanker to scrum-half, believing that his defensive skills would come in handy in a high-pressure game against England.
Bergamasco later reflected on the challenge of switching positions, admitting that he was unprepared for the drastic change in play style. “I can say this now but 17 years ago I didn’t realize how much time you need to spend learning new habits when you switch from flanker to No 9,” he said. The physical demands of the two positions are markedly different, and Bergamasco experienced discomfort leading up to the match as he adjusted to the new role.
The Match and Its Aftermath
During the match, Bergamasco’s unfamiliarity with the scrum-half position was evident. England capitalized on his mistakes, scoring multiple tries, including two that came after Bergamasco was drawn into rucks instead of maintaining his position. Mallett later recounted how Bergamasco “froze” under the pressure, leading to his early substitution. In the locker room, he took full responsibility for the decision, apologizing to both Bergamasco and the team for the outcome, which left Bergamasco in tears.
Mallett acknowledged that he had underestimated the challenges of asking a flanker to play scrum-half without sufficient preparation. He reflected on the need for thorough assessments of player depth in every position, highlighting that Italy had a significant issue at scrum-half, which could have been addressed earlier.
Lessons Learned and Legacy
The experience served as a cautionary tale for both Mallett and Bergamasco. Mallett recognized that positional switches require adequate preparation and practice to be successful. “You cannot switch from the forwards to playing No 9 without proper preparation,” Bergamasco noted, emphasizing the importance of adapting one’s game to meet the demands of a new position.
Looking back, both men agree that better preparation could have improved the chances of success. Mallett remarked that had he spent time assessing the depth of the squad, he might have avoided placing such an immense burden on Bergamasco in a high-stakes environment. The incident is now often cited when discussing the evolution of player roles and the increasing trend of hybrid players in modern rugby.
As rugby continues to evolve with players like André Esterhuizen and Ben Earl demonstrating versatility by switching between positions, the lessons from Bergamasco’s experience at Twickenham remain relevant. Coaches today are more aware of the need for thorough preparation when considering such drastic positional changes.
In the context of the 2026 Six Nations, as teams strategize and prepare for their upcoming matches, the story of Mauro Bergamasco serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in player versatility and the importance of proper training.
Fans can glance forward to seeing how Italy’s current squad, which features a blend of youth and experience, will perform as they aim to build on their rugby legacy in the Six Nations.
