The opening match of the Six Nations will be played at Stadio Flaminio on Saturday between the Azzurri of Italy and France, who are the reigning Six Nations champions and the second-ranked team ion the world. The French will come across the Alps like all those invaders of old - from the Brennus and Hannibal on through Attila. Italy will be hoping that it can find a Cincinnatus, Fabius Maximus or Leo the Great to stand up to the invader, to the aggressive jaw of Fabien Pelous, captain of the French invaders. Will it be Pierre Berbizier? Or will Pelous sack Rome as Genseric did?

Those ancient Romans loved sporting entertainment, hence places like the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla. Those were the days of panis et circenses.

The Federation hopes that that spirit of entertainment-seeking is still with the modern Roman and is sending its circus to all the main roads and piazzas of Rome and to schools - troupes of entertainers - trampolinists, clowns,  sandwich men, musicians - all with the message of RUGBY, PASSIONE ITALIANA - Rugby, Italy's passion. 

They will be out nonstop from Saturday till just before kick-off next Saturday. The citizens of the Eternal City and its tifosi, its sports fans, will have a cheerful reminder that the Six Nations is starting and in Rome.