The trophy, designed by French former international and professional sculptor Jean-Pierre Rives, was awarded for the first time on 3 February 2007 to France as part of the celebrations of the bicentenary of Giuseppe Garibaldi's birth. As of 2023, the trophy has been contested seventeen times, with France winning fifteen and Italy two.[2]
The original idea of a trophy to be awarded to the winner of annual game between France and Italy, was first mooted in Nice by the International committee for the celebration of the bicentennial of Garibaldi's birth.
Garibaldi was born in 1807 in Nice, when it was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia/Piedmont, before it was annexed to France in 1860; he fought during the unification of Italy and during the Franco-Prussian War for France. 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.
Design
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. The trophy's godfathers were former international players Diego Dominguez for Italy and Jean-François Tordo (who was born in Nice) for France.
