By MARK CASHMAN

Twins have a certain way of doing things, – you know the drill finishing off answers to questions for each other and wearing the same T-shirt even though one side of the “team” had no prior knowledge of the fashion standards of the day.

So it’s no surprise that Eastern Suburbs duo Daniel and James Donato have taken up an opportunity to continue their rugby careers in Italy – together.

The fraternal twins will head to Rome and link with the Lazio club, the same club where Warringah’s Hugh Margin is off to at the end of the month, with the aim of playing for Italy at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

When Rugby News rang the 23-year-olds, they were waiting outside the Italian Consulate in Sydney for their passports and dual citizenship to be processed.

You see they both qualify to play for Italy through their mother Nadia who was born in the northern Italian town of Padua.

Add in the fact that their father Phil, the State member for Orange representing the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, has family links in Sicily and it’s a scenario that may well find its way into a rugby trivia contest at Woollahra Oval one day.

“The Rugby World Cup in France in 2023 is the goal for both of us if things pan out,” elder brother Daniel told Rugby News.

“We sat down a few years ago with one of our coaches (third grade mentor at the time Jake Curran) to set some goals and he knew that we had the Italian background.

“First up on that list was to play first grade (at Easts) and from there get picked up by one of the Super Rugby franchises and maybe even play for the Wallabies.

“From there if we we didn’t get picked up here in Australia we listed that we wanted to chase the dream of playing for Italy.

“Hopefully we’re right on track for that and getting over to Rome and having a good season with Lazio is all part of the journey.”

If the Donato boys crack the Test scene they will join a long list of Aussies who have pulled on the savoy blue jersey of the Azzuri.

The most recent was fullback Luke McLean, a former Queenslander who played in a couple of Rugby World Cups for the Italians.

Then there’s the former NRL star Craig Gower (a flyhalf and centre) as well as former Randwick lock Mark Giacheri, Queensland backrower Julian Gardner and Matt Pini who played for the Wallabies at the 1995 RWC and then turned out for Italy in the 1999 tournament.

Beasties coach Pauli Taumoepeau says he’s looking forward to the next part of the journey with the Donato boys.

“The twins are two of our more popular people amongst the playing group,” Taumoepeau said.

“On field they’ve both gone through the highs and lows of being picked and dropped. They’ve played in Fourth Grade and have also been picked in First Grade, all the time bringing a touch of X-factor that you love to have in a team.

“Off the field – where ever there is heaps of noise or laughter, those two will be in the middle of it.

“I’m most happiest that they leave Woollahra Oval for a great opportunity the same way they arrived – together.

“The Donato boys being together means a lot to me because if I close I am to my brothers. It’s such an important bond.

“I’m so happy I met them and worked with them so closely. They’re both unbelievable humans from a beautiful family.”

Daniel added: “It was really hard to tell Pauli that we were leaving but his reaction was typical for the bloke that he is – he was just so happy for us.

“Pauli understands what we’re trying to do to go to the next level with our rugby and happy that we are getting the chance to do this together.”

The Donato boys’ rugby journey started in Orange in the family backyard with brothers Pete, Matthew and Sean, took them to St Stanislaus College in Bathurst and then steered into the Beasties colts system in Sydney on the advice of former Wallaby James Grant.

They moved up to the grade ranks a couple of years after arriving at O’Sullivan Rd and the generally injury free Daniel has been the more consistent first grader as a fullback and winger.

“I’m the older one and probably more switched on but when it comes to the footy Jimmy’s probably the better player,” Daniel added.

James dabbled at one stage at playing hooker in his second year of grade footy but never felt comfortable and this season he has really made his mark in the backrow.

Injuries have played a role in his career unfortunately, missing a season in colts with a knee issue and fractured eye socket and then a shoulder reconstruction in his second year in seniors.

“It’s a pretty special journey that we are on and been really great starting it with Dan who’s been there by my side every step of the way.

“I like to get a little bit dirtier (as a gritty backrower should) than Dan. He’s the guy that scores the tries while I’m the guy that sets them up.”

So what’s the first thing on the to do list once they lob into Rome?

“To be perfectly honest we just don’t know what to expect yet,” Daniel added.

“Lazio have given us a place to stay and a car but I’m not really sure how we’;re going to go driving on the other side of the road in that traffic.

“Mum (who’s working life was in the NSW Police force) is a little bit worried about the driving thing but we’ve told here that we will be fine.”

Rome one day, the Rugby World Cup the next!

IMAGES: KAREN WATSON & EASTERN SUBURBS RUGBY CLUB