[2015 Six Nations] Italy vs Ireland (Round 1)

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Italy vs Ireland


Date: Saturday, February 7th 2015 - 15:30 CET (UTC+1)
Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)

Team Line-ups:

[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Italy[/TD]
[TD]vs[/TD]
[TD]Ireland[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Andrea Masi[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Rob Kearney[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Leonardo Sarto[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]Tommy Bowe[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Michele Campagnaro[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Jared Payne[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Luca Morisi[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]Robbie Henshaw[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Luke McLean[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Simon Zebo[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kelly Haimona[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Ian Keatley[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Edoardo Gori[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Conor Murray[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sergio Parisse[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD] Jordi Murphy[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Francesco Minto[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Sean O'Brien[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alessandro Zanni[/TD]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]Peter O'Mahony[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]George Fabio Biagi[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Paul O'Connell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Josh Furno[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Devin Toner[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Martin Castrogiovanni[/TD]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Mike Ross[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Leonardo Ghiraldini[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Rory Best[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Matias Aguero[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Jack McGrath[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Replacements[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Andrea Manici[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]Sean Cronin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Alberto De Marchi[/TD]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD] James Cronin[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dario Chistolini[/TD]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Martin Moore[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Marco Fuser[/TD]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Iain Henderson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Robert Barbini[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Tommy O'Donnell[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Guglielmo Palazzani[/TD]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD] Isaac Boss[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tommaso Allan[/TD]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Ian Madigan[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Giovanbattista Venditti[/TD]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]Felix Jones[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

​

 

[bw245]

I reckon Madigan will be in for number 10, really can't see it being Keatley. Think we're going to be up for a tough challenge.

 

[big ginger 8]

Murray will be fit but there is some doubt about Heaslip.

No other recognised 8's in the squad.

 

[bw245]

I'm just hoping this Italian side doesn't cause any more injuries to us!

 

[munstermuffin]

Murray will be fit but there is some doubt about Heaslip.

No other recognised 8's in the squad.

As I noted elsewhere. It is very doubtful on him. Hence both TOD and Jordi not playing A game. If he's out POM will be at 8 with SOB at 6. But also TOD may go to 6 and Murphy at 7 if SOB on bench.

 

[collace]

I'd be more tempted to go Henderson at 6 and PO'M at 8. At his best Henderson can be downright destructive and is a better 6 than Second Row.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I'd be more tempted to go Henderson at 6 and PO'M at 8. At his best Henderson can be downright destructive and is a better 6 than Second Row.

Hendo
O'Brien
POM

That is just disgustingly good

 

[Peat]

I think I'd be more scared of Hendo at 6 than TOD or Murphy, but if Schmidt doesn't want his lock cover starting, he's not got too many options there.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think there's no doubt on what ye are saying about Henderson. Just caution as well he is just back from injury as is SOB so its unlikely both will play in that backrow together.
Also Irish management view him as a lock and while I think that is just an observation I think 1st point in the key 1.

 

[bw245]

Team Announcement:

15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Ian Keatley
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O'Connell (C)
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Sean O'Brian
8. Jordi Murphy

16. Sean Cronin
17. James Cronin
18. Martin Moore
19. Tommy O'Donnell
20. Iain Henderson
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones

Interesting selections, but I think it's a good one. Interesting to see he's left Gordon out completely.
Think his strategy is making sure the bench is strong, as the Italians will tire us out very early on.
Joe said he thinks Sean will give a good 50/60 minutes starting off, and would work better than coming on as a sub.
He is very confident that Johnny Sexton will be back to play next week.
Jamie Heaslip trained fully yesterday. If he had have trained fully on Tuesday, he probably would've picked him.

 

[lynam1104]

Rumours were too consistent to untrue so not really surprising. Good side, shows that we've got far more strength in dept than anytime before leaving players like Earls and Fitzy out. TBH i'm still not 100% sold on the centres but in joe we trust. Biggest issue for me is Boss on the bench, he has been very poor recently. Did alright V Wasps but I'd still prefer Marmion.

 

[big ginger 8]

As I said before Keatley starting is fine, possibly better as he can run a backline. He just better make his kicks. His defense will be severely tested, Haimona is a big man.

Murphy at 8 makes sense. Why move PO'M or SO'B? Does leave us a but worse off in the lineout thoug.

Boss played well in the Wasps and WH's games but still somewhat underwhelming. As has been said with many squad and team announcements Schmidt clearly isn't Marmion's biggest fan. What's the story with Reddan?

Would have preferred Fitz at 13 but Payne should do his job.

Jones on the bench also makes little sense. 10-15 have once again all played fullback at some stage. Surely Fitz or Earls would have provided better coverage. Although he has had a good season I just can't get my head around it.

Ross ahead of Moore makes sense from an impact point of view and Schmidt was never not going to play him really. He continues to be the only player to start every match under Schmidt.

 

[munstermuffin]

At least my source was right again as said Tuesday on other thread - Murphy @ 8 and Keatley @10. Felix is Joe's type of player and well interesting to see him there but not shocked. Ross is possibly very luck but Boss on the bench ?? WTF.
He's barely making Leinster teams. All in all a fair team. I'm not a fan of Murphy but he played well in last few games for Leinster and can't argue if a guy has played well. It's the same for Keatley. He outplayed Madigan last few weeks so again it's a fair call. I'm still to be convinced of Payne at 13

- - - Updated - - -

As I said before Keatley starting is fine, possibly better as he can run a backline. He just better make his kicks. His defense will be severely tested, Haimona is a big man.

Murphy at 8 makes sense. Why move PO'M or SO'B? Does leave us a but worse off in the lineout thoug.

Boss played well in the Wasps and WH's games but still somewhat underwhelming. As has been said with many squad and team announcements Schmidt clearly isn't Marmion's biggest fan. What's the story with Reddan?

Would have preferred Fitz at 13 but Payne should do his job.

Jones on the bench also makes little sense. 10-15 have once again all played fullback at some stage. Surely Fitz or Earls would have provided better coverage. Although he has had a good season I just can't get my head around it.

Heard Reddan failed fitness test. So better off letting him get that right.

Agree re 23 shirt but as I said Schmidt seems to love Felix and well he's a Schmidt type of guy. Earls or Fitz I hope will be at 13 by end of this and Henshaw at 12. But well It's a fair team overall.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Keatley is a mistake with the World Cup in mind but he should do enough to beat the Italians as long as he doesn't have one of his nightmare games we've seen two or three times this season. I'd have Moore ahead of Ross, Fitz ahead of Payne and Earls ahead of Zebo as well but considering we have two limited 10's in the squad it's the safer option as this backline will be easier to use if not as effective.

 

[munstermuffin]

Keatley is a mistake with the World Cup in mind but he should do enough to beat the Italians as long as he doesn't have one of his nightmare games we've seen two or three times this season. I'd have Moore ahead of Ross, Fitz ahead of Payne and Earls ahead of Zebo as well but considering we have two limited 10's in the squad it's the safer option as this backline will be easier to use if not as effective.

Is he really - as I said Madigan hasn't shown he can control a game at 10 so what if Sexton was out of RWC. Neither backup will do much but at least Keatley has shown he can run a backline from 10. Madigan has yet to do this and by your basis the other day - Ian Keatley will finally become an international 10

 

[bw245]

I think Joe knows exactly what he's doing. He seems to be expecting a very physical battle, in which the forwards starting tire out and are taken off after about 50-60 minutes. The forwards on the bench will make a big impact on a tired Italian side.
Praying this weekend doesn't leave us with more injuries.

 

[munstermuffin]

Exactly - Madigan coming off bench when legs tire and space appears will be massive.
Also Henderson will do damage and Sean Cronin too

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Quite the petty response...

Is he really - as I said Madigan hasn't shown he can control a game at 10 so what if Sexton was out of RWC.

We'd be out of the running to win, a semi would still be achievable if things are done right.

Neither backup will do much but at least Keatley has shown he can run a backline from 10.

Has he? Whenever Munster's backline has been in any way threatening this season it's been because JJ has been running the show from 12.

Madigan has yet to do this and by your basis the other day - Ian Keatley will finally become an international 10

Nice to see the "I'll completely misinterpret what you said on purpose in order to make you seem stupid" form of argument is still running strong on the forum. We'd be lost without it.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Brief preview for those who care!

http://fourballsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/ireland-vs-italy-preview.html

 

[munstermuffin]

Quite the petty response...

We'd be out of the running to win, a semi would still be achievable if things are done right.

Has he? Whenever Munster's backline has been in any way threatening this season it's been because JJ has been running the show from 12.

Nice to see the "I'll completely misinterpret what you said on purpose in order to make you seem stupid" form of argument is still running strong on the forum. We'd be lost without it.

At start I agree if Sexton out we are screwed but nothing petty about my answer/reply.

Regards Keatley. If you watched Munster you'd see yes Keatley has ran back line better and we've more back play tries under him than JJ. And he's very good at vocally communicating and is more of a 10 than Madigan at this moment. JJ hasn't played whole lot at 12 so I'd disagree. It's hard to say JJ is all out better when like Madigan at 10 in previous times when introduced its easy look more impact against tired legs. He's a very skilful player but not complete 10. JJ has cost us few games as well.

If your any good so instead of saying my faults I've asked questions yet your still afraid/unable to answer. So maybe answer with facts. So and have no misinterpretation.
Or how was I wrong. Add in too how Madigan an international 10 so and Keatley not?