Ange Capuozzo is Italy's racing snake out to bite England!

Ange Capuozzo is Italy’s racing snake out to bite England! ‘I’m scared of nothing’, says the Azzurri’s jet-heeled, diminutive full-back who has the rugby world at his feet

• The Italy full back beat giant French back-row Gregory Alldritt to score a try
• He was described as a racing snake as he slithered to touch down in the corner
• Capuozzo likened his stunning effort against France to David versus Goliath!

Appearing from Rome via FaceTime and speaking through a translator, Ange Capuozzo’s baby-faced features and wide-eyed grin mean you could easily confuse him for a boy.

Don’t let the Italian full-back’s appearance fool you. This is one of rugby’s true giants. 

At less than six foot and under 13 stone, Capuozzo doesn’t fit that description literally. Physically, he is one of the smallest players in the Six Nations. But he is also one of its biggest stars. The 23-year-old has the rugby world at his feet. 

Next on his to do list is a visit to Twickenham. England beware.

‘I’m scared of nothing on the pitch,’ Capuozzo tells Sportsmail. ‘It’s not a problem for me that there are a lot of big men who come up against me. The only thing I think during a game is that against an opponent, it is one against one. In that scenario, we are equal.

Italy full back beat the giant French back-row Gregory Alldritt with exceptional footwork

Diminutive Ange Capuozzo likened his stunning try against France to David versus Goliath!

‘Even if the other person is a lot bigger than me, I have other qualities to show.’

No better was Capuozzo’s ability to take on today’s rugby behemoths shown than on the opening weekend of the Six Nations. Italy gave defending champions France a real scare in Rome.

But it was Capuozzo’s try – which saw him ‘stand up’ and beat the giant French back-row Gregory Alldritt with exceptional footwork to score under heavy pressure – which was the highlight.

‘Alldritt was basically trying to catch a racing snake,’ Danielle Waterman said on the ITV commentary as Capuozzo slithered into the corner to produce his latest incredible individual effort.

‘Unbelievable from Capuozzo,’ Waterman added.

You get the feeling the snake comparison might stick.

‘Yes, yes, yes. I agree with this description,’ Capuozzo says. ‘I like it! If you look at a picture of the try, it looks like David versus Goliath! Every player has to have confidence in themselves that they can be stronger. That is what I did to score the try. In that moment, I realised there were two possibilities.

‘One was to move the ball in the other direction. The other was to try and back my pace and score.

‘When I took the ball, I saw a little space in the corner. I tried to be confident in my speed. I knew Alldritt is a really good player. I hope that next time I face him he will not give me a strong tackle for the try! I was happy to score but the most important thing is to help the team.

Italian is one of the smallest players in Six Nations, but he he is also one of its biggest stars

’Capuozzo is certainly doing that and more. When asked what has changed for him since becoming one of rugby’s newest superstars, he briefly switches from Italian to English to answer.

‘Everything,’ he replies, a wicked smile spreading across his lips.Capuozzo first caught the attention of the wider rugby public in last year’s Six Nations when he was still playing for French second division side and his home city club Grenoble.

His astonishing break set-up a last-minute, match-winning try for Edoardo Padovani against Wales and sealed Italy’s first Championship win since 2015. Wales wing Josh Adams was named man of the match in Cardiff that day but gave his medal to Capuozzo in recognition of his stellar display.

Capuozzo moved to French giants Toulouse last summer and in December, he was named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year for 2022. His upward curve shows no sign of tailing off.

Capuozzo warmed up for the Six Nations with a stunning try for Toulouse against Montpellier in the TOP14. His social media followers have exploded and he is now in constant demand for interviews, autographs and selfies. He has received numerous endorsement offers and in May, stepped into the world of glitz and glamour at the Monaco Grand Prix with his long-term girlfriend Emma.

Capuozzo was named World Rugby’s breakthrough player of the year for 2022

As rugby looks to broaden its horizons and the Netflix cameras whirl for a documentary on the 2023 Six Nations, Capuozzo is a marketing dream for the sport.

Italy’s players have been inspired by learning of the stories of ancient Rome and Capuozzo is the modern day gladiator – with Dior shower gel – who is leading them into battle.

‘Outside of rugby everything has changed,’ Capuozzo says. ‘But inside I am still the same normal man and the same player from the last Six Nations and the years before.

‘I do get recognised more now but the mindset I have is to stay humble. I’m lucky to have a great family that supports me. I’m free to be myself in every situation.

‘Sport is entertainment so it’s important to me to entertain. It’s important to show a good game for the fans to enjoy. They need to look forward to seeing a special match.

The 23-year-old is a marketing dream for the sport as rugby looks to broaden its horizons

‘I know I have a responsibility to grow Italian rugby, but it’s not just me. We want to show we are a serious team and get respect from all the teams in the rugby world.’

Born in Le Pont-de-Claix on the outskirts of Grenoble, Capuozzo first took an interest in rugby aged three when he would be tackled on his bed by his father. He played football and dabbled in boxing and judo but even with a slight frame, rugby has proved to be his calling.

‘I’m not so big, but I do like to fight,’ Capuozzo says.

Away from rugby, Capuozzo enjoys oil painting and playing PlayStation. He takes a keen interest in current affairs. Despite his ascent to rugby stardom, his off-the-field hobbies remain important.

‘Rugby is definitely the most important part of my life, but not the only one. It’s so important to have other hobbies,’ Capuozzo says.

‘I’m not painting so much at the moment because I haven’t had much time! I’m curious to discover other activities that catch my attention. If you do only one thing, it’s not always good.’

For now, Capuozzo’s focus is entirely on rugby. He helped Italy deliver morale-boosting wins over Wales and Australia last year and they impressed again against France despite defeat.

The 23-year-old full back has the rugby world at his feet

Next up it’s Steve Borthwick’s England, who were beaten by Scotland in their new head coach’s first game in charge. England have never lost to Italy at senior level.

But after 36 straight Six Nations defeats and years of misery in which their Championship place was rightly questioned, the Azzurri look like they have turned a corner.

Italy’s investment in their junior pathway looks like it is beginning to pay off.

‘Last year was a good point to start our improvement. We delivered a really good game against Wales but also especially against Australia,’ says Capuozzo, who will start at full-back at Twickenham and could face his Toulouse team-mate and England flanker Jack Willis.

‘Our goal for this year is to win. We didn’t do a perfect match against France because we lost by five points and we could have faced some of the moments in the match in a better way than we did.

‘We are outsiders this weekend, for sure. England is a really good team with a lot of good players.

‘We will follow our game plan and if we show the best version of ourselves, then we could have a chance.

‘It’s so important for my career to start with the Italian team in such an important match thinking it’s possible to win.’

Any team with Capuozzo in it has more than just a chance of winning. England must keep one of rugby’s newest superstars quiet or risk the prospect of what would be an embarrassing defeat.

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