Cardiff's victory over Wales in the final round of the Six Nations rugby launches Italy into eighth place in the international rankings.
Quesada's Azzurri have overtaken Wales, which slips to tenth place, also overtaken by Australia.
For the men's national team this is the highest position ever achieved, and reached for just one week, in March 2007, thanks to the victory over Wales at the Flaminio stadium in Rome.
In one year, Italy has gained six positions in the ranking, going from the 14th position occupied at the end of the 2023 Tournament to the current eighth.
Reigning world champions South Africa remain at the top, followed by Ireland, who confirmed their Six Nations title.
Italy will therefore have to defend their position in the international summer window which will see them challenge Tonga, Samoa and Japan away in July.
In November, however, Georgia will arrive but Argentina and the All Blacks, respectively fourth and second at the last World Cup, two teams against which the Azzurri will have to demonstrate that they have truly become great.
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