In our ninth episode of ‘Talking European Rugby League’ Graeme Thompson meets Tiziano Franchini, a founding figure of the game in Italy whose involvement stretches back more than 20 years. Tiziano describes his Italian team debut in the 1995 World Sevens in Australia, and how he took further opportunities to develop himself as a player and as a person, playing in France. He charts his journey in developing the game in his homeland, including 2013 and 2017 men's world cups, and shares his ultimate future goal for the sport's status in Italy.