[2023 Six Nations] Italy vs Ireland - 25 February 2023

[retired9]

That was 2 high challenges on Capuozzo, very lucky not to have been carded was disappointed in some of the refereeing decisions today.

Italy made Ireland look very average at times, the cohesion wasn't quite the same for the men in green as in previous games. Never really in doubt if the result though I don't think.

Hope Italy can have a good showing at the World Cup this year.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well at least we learned this much.
Doris is the 8 going forward and based on performances at 8 Conan is3rd in list. Coombes is well ahead of him based on performances lately.
RB was mixed at 10 but doubt others would have enhanced performance either.
Centre I think I GR was a loss but we need a natural 13 there not a 12.

 

[Smurfy]

Excellent play from Italy and really impressed by their attacking structure. Also managed to generate very quick ball, and achieved against an Ireland side that really wasn't that bad. I think we saw just how important Ringrose is to Irelands defensive system, and it's really important we get him back for Scotland. Players who disappointed, for me, were McCloskey and Conan, and I thought Lowe was poor defensively. I'm not sure Coombes is any slower than Conan, but he is a better carrier and he has great hands, and i Would really like to see how he'd manage in a match like todays.

Keenan was impeccable as ever, and he's I'm another one of those who wondered, only for one or two games admittedly, what Farrell daw in him, and for me he is now the best fullback in the world, It was nearly a relief when he threw that poor pass towards the end as it showed that he's human. Tom O'Tooles performance was a real eye opener, especially after Bealham seemed to struggle in the scrum.

Watched it with a group of rugby friends and the general consensus was that Ireland weren't actually that bad, and proved once again that their ability to create try scoring opportunities makes them very dangerous and difficult to beat even when they're not close to 100%. To a large extent they played as well as an excellent Italian side allowed them to play.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Decent performance with 2nd choice halfbacks and midfield. Pack dealt with a very pumped up Italy side well and minus Brex's moment of madness Italy never looked like scoring second half, respected them well and got the job done.

Focusing on Ross Byrne for a bit, I was really quite impressed, I think it was the first time we've seen a player marshall the team in a fashion similar to Johnny. I think apart from that forward pass that gave Italy an attacking platform in the second half he played very well. He doesn't have the range of passing, vision or ability to draw in defenders before giving a pass that Sexton does but he joins everyone else on the planet in that regard so it's not a big criticism. A solid 7/10 which I'll take every day for a second choice out-half.

I think for Scotland you bring Furlong, JGP, POM and Johnny in and Aki takes the 12 spot. Conan sealed his fate as the number 20 today, a role he's doing well imo, just doesn't have the presence he had in 2019. Might have been worth having a look at Coombes today in hindsight.

Italy did very well to take advantage of Ringrose being missing, didn't have much time to prepare either, they're just a very competent team at attacking the wide channels. I think their next two games are both potential Ws, definitely the games they have the most chance of getting a result in in the championship when their mental block in relation to England is considered. Garbisi added a lot to their attack despite looking quite rusty.

 

[munstermuffin]

Decent performance with 2nd choice halfbacks and midfield. Pack dealt with a very pumped up Italy side well and minus Brex's moment of madness Italy never looked like scoring second half, respected them well and got the job done.

Focusing on Ross Byrne for a bit, I was really quite impressed, I think it was the first time we've seen a player marshall the team in a fashion similar to Johnny. I think apart from that forward pass that gave Italy an attacking platform in the second half he played very well. He doesn't have the range of passing, vision or ability to draw in defenders before giving a pass that Sexton does but he joins everyone else on the planet in that regard so it's not a big criticism. A solid 7/10 which I'll take every day for a second choice out-half.

I think for Scotland you bring Furlong, JGP, POM and Johnny in and Aki takes the 12 spot. Conan sealed his fate as the number 20 today, a role he's doing well imo, just doesn't have the presence he had in 2019. Might have been worth having a look at Coombes today in hindsight.

Italy did very well to take advantage of Ringrose being missing, didn't have much time to prepare either, they're just a very competent team at attacking the wide channels. I think their next two games are both potential Ws, definitely the games they have the most chance of getting a result in in the championship when their mental block in relation to England is considered. Garbisi added a lot to their attack despite looking quite rusty.

On this I see will start at top. Fully agree pack sid well but lacked balance a bit.

On Ross Byrne, and this is having rewatched, he did fine. He shovelled alot of **** and also was very static but did fine. Alot of corners saying he was poor etc well it has to be remembered he had a poor platform to work with in that Casey was mixed too and 2 centres outside were 2 12s. Considering that too I'd agree he delivered what you'd expect from a back up 10. He is not good enough to be #1 10 for Ireland like media were painting him but fully deserved role he has now. Goal kicking was mixedtoday but kicking lines was world class.

On Coombes. I think today showed he is ahead of Conan.i think Conan may be a tad faster but that is only area that Conan is superior now. Not saying Conan a poor player just there is 2 guys better at 8. When POM came on and Doris went 8 today everything improved massively there.

Also Frisch has proven massively this season he is a talent at 13. The likes of him should be there going forward ahead of Aki. 13 is a specialist position. Ringrose is there, Henshaw can do job there marginally but after that we need 13 that plays 13 consistently.

For Scotland.
Furlong returns now Bealham a doubt
POM in and while Conan will stay I'd really consider Coombes and Baird did very well today.
Murray I'd start wirh JGP off bench based on match fitness.
Sexton back.
Aki at 12 I agree and if Ringrose out I stated the above on 13.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

On Ross Byrne, and this is having rewatched, he did fine. He shovelled alot of **** and also was very static but did fine. Alot of corners saying he was poor etc well it has to be remembered he had a poor platform to work with in that Casey was mixed too and 2 centres outside were 2 12s. Considering that too I'd agree he delivered what you'd expect from a back up 10. He is not good enough to be #1 10 for Ireland like media were painting him but fully deserved role he has now. Goal kicking was mixedtoday but kicking lines was world class.

All this is why I specifies that he's a good 2nd choice option, and at 28 I think he could be an invaluable squad man for the next 4 years, but Crowley and Prendergast I expect will take the reigns, I still hope his brother can learn to run an attack because his skillset is sublime also.

He was always going to shovel **** and a few bad habits broke out when Italy got in his face but without Ringer no one else effectively played in the pivot which is something that always frees up Johnny. A slightly erratic 9, who is also learning St this level, and a subdued 12 made this very difficult, only the world's best 10s would have been flawless today and no one is claiming Ross is anywhere close.

On Coombes. I think today showed he is ahead of Conan.i think Conan may be a tad faster but that is only area that Conan is superior now. Not saying Conan a poor player just there is 2 guys better at 8. When POM came on and Doris went 8 today everything improved massively there.

Yeah Conan looked off the pace, I think he always does well off the bench though. Coombes and Baird might have jus run out of time, provided Conan keeps his level where it's at, it's tough to see then getting meaningful minutes to break into the 23. But I'd have no issue giving Coombes his shot off the bench in the next two games, a tough call for Farrell to make given the circumstances though.

Also Frisch has proven massively this season he is a talent at 13. The likes of him should be there going forward ahead of Aki. 13 is a specialist position. Ringrose is there, Henshaw can do job there marginally but after that we need 13 that plays 13 consistently.

Agreed yeah, Hume's drop off left a hole that was exposed today.