Covid. Rugby: Massimo Cuttitta died, 70 times in the Italian national team

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11 April 2021 Massimo Cuttitta died of Covid-19, he was 54 years old and 70 appearances for the national team.

The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has made it known that, due to complications related to Corononavirus, the former blue left prop died at the hospital in Albano Laziale (Rome).

The note highlights the "dismay" of the entire Federation and of the entire national rugby movement at the death of "Maus".

He was born in Latina but moved, following his parents Nunzia and Carlo, originally from Naples, to Durban, South Africa where he began playing rugby like his twin Marcello, winger and best scorer in Italian history, and his brother. Major Michele, although the latter only on an amateur level. 

Cuttitta was one of the men-symbols of the national team of the coach Georges Coste who, in the 90s, led Italy in the tournament that became the Six Nations.

In blue Massimo Cuttitta, had put together 70 appearances between 1990 and 2000 taking part in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups. Together with his twin Marcello he played the match of the historic victory of Italy over France in the final of the Fira Cup in 1997 in Grenoble against France.

As a player he wore the jerseys of L'Aquila, Amatori Calvisano, Milan (with which he had won 4 league titles), of the London Harlequins and of Rugby Roma as a player-coach, and was also selected for the Barbarians. 

After the experience of the other side of the Channel, he had held the role of player-coach for numerous Italian clubs - Bologna, Rugby Roma, Alghero and Leonessa - before joining the forward coach in Edinburgh and, from there, to the Scottish federation.

More recently, he had put his experience as a scrum coach at the service of emerging internationals such as Romania, Canada and Portugal, serving as consultant for their respective technical staffs.

He then worked as a coach on the staff of the national teams of Scotland, Canada, Romania and Portugal.

 On Friday 9 April, also at the Albano Laziale hospital, her mother Nunzia died, also affected by Covid-19.

About ten days ago the health conditions of Massimo Cuttitta and his mother had worsened and they had been hospitalized in intensive care in Albano.

After the death of his mother, there was a worsening of the conditions of the former blue rugby player whose physical grandeur did not facilitate the situation.

In the late afternoon today, the death that has grieved not only the world of Italian rugby but also the international one in which Massimo Cuttitta was highly esteemed.

FIR President Marzio Innocenti said: "We didn't have the opportunity to share the blue jersey, but the love for our colors had formed a strong, natural bond between us. Cuttitta was not only an incredible servant of Italian rugby. and an excellent interpreter of the role of left prop, but also an appreciated ambassador of our movement abroad ".

In memory of Cuttitta, the Federal President has ordered that a minute of silence be observed next weekend before the kick-off of the matches of the Italian Peroni TOP 10 Championship.