 Also from a rugby union point of view historically the sport in Italy has been in the past heavily influenced by the French.The idea was brought to the attention of both the French and Italian rugby federations, quickly gathered momentum and was approved on 6 December 2006 by the International Rugby Board.Designed by former international and full-time sculptor Jean-Pierre Rives, the trophy was unveiled on 2 February 2007, during a ceremony at the French embassy in Rome.