Tigers will defend their trophy against last year’s runners-up the Ospreys after overcoming Wasps 34-24 in Cardiff, with Castrogiovanni supplying the final blow, getting on the end of an incisive break to run in under the posts – and finishing with an extravagant dive.
“I do not score so many tries running that far,” admitted the tighthead prop who was last season’s Guinness Premiership Player of the Year. “I do not know where the dive came from! For a prop to score is not normal and when you have the opportunity you have to enjoy it as much as possible. I was really happy at that moment and I will remember it for a long time.”
Castrogiovanni, who scored two tries for Italy during their Six Nations campaign this season, added: “Normally my tries come from about two metres, but I had the opportunity to run a bit further this time. For any front-five forward to run with the ball and score a try is really nice.”
Tigers now turn their attention to a rematch with Wasps in the Guinness Premiership at a sell-out Welford Road on Saturday (2.45pm kick-off), and Castrogiovanni knows that will be another tough challenge.
“It was a big battle but I really enjoyed the game and both sides played a lot of good rugby,” he said.“Wasps are a big side and next week will be harder because they will want to win at Leicester. We have to stay focused, we cannot relax. It will be a big challenge again next week. Our job is now to try to stay at the same level in our performance.”
