Italy v Ireland

[elgringoborracho]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa it feels so good. I hadn't watched that scene again since 2001 then ! Well I still love it. Thanks to you both

 

[An Tarbh]

it's the timing of it that makes it a thing of beauty. :lol:

 

[elgringoborracho]

Although this time it cost him, I must say Stringer has this genius of annoying te opponent until he loses his nerves. Just look how he smoothly yet firmly holds Troncon's shirt when the ref's not looking. A true vicious n°9

 

[An Tarbh]

For me this has only become funnier the more annoying that Stringer's performances for Ireland became, especially his tendency to flap about come ruck time but I think I was pretty livid at the time.

 

[elgringoborracho]

I bet you were. Someone does that to Galthier, I kill him

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elgringoborracho @ Feb 11 2009, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I bet you were. Someone does that to Galthier, I kill him[/b]

bah if someone did that to Galthié then I'd want to kill them, now there's a legend.

 

[shazbooger]

Yeah. There are certain players that you just cant defend, even if they are on your own team. Try as you might you still get double the pleasure. You get to call Troncon a cheating dirty so and so, while grinning at Stringers collapse.

 

[MunsterMan]

If you play the way Stringer does you are bound to get one of those very now and then, doesn't make it any less effective. I remember back when Mike Phillips was playing for Cardiff he couldn't go a game against Munster without ending up in the sin bin :lol:

 

[danit]

Bortolami and Marcato are ruled out, so 99% we'll see McLean at flyhalf and Dellapè - Del Fava locks

 

[An Tarbh]

when should we get the team announcement?

 

[danit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 12 2009, 11:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

when should we get the team announcement?[/b]

within about half an hour

 

[danit]

here it is

15 Andrea MASI (Biarritz Olympique, 45 caps)
14 Kaine ROBERTSON (Viadana, 36 caps)
13 Gonzalo CANALE (Clermont-Auvergne, 43 caps)
12 Mirco BERGAMASCO (Stade Francais, 57 caps)
11 Matteo PRATICHETTI (Calvisano, 13 caps)
10 Luke MCLEAN (Calvisano, 4 caps)
9 Paul GRIFFEN (Calvisano, 38 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 58 caps) - capitano
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO (Stade Francais, 70 caps)
6 Alessandro ZANNI (Calvisano, 27 caps)
5 Tommaso REATO (Rovigo, 7 caps)
4 Santiago DELLAPE' (Toulon RC, 53 caps)
3 Martin CASTROGIOVANNI (Leicester Tigers, 55 caps)
2 Fabio ONGARO (Saracens, 60 caps)
1 Salvatore PERUGINI (Stade Toulousain, 56 caps)

16 Carlo FESTUCCIA (Racing Metro Paris, 46 caps)
17 Carlos NIETO (Gloucester RFC, 32 caps)
18 Carlo Antonio DEL FAVA (Ulster, 33 caps)
19 Josh SOLE (Viadana, 34 caps)
20 Giulio TONIOLATTI (Capitolina Roma, 2 caps)
21 Gonzalo GARCIA (Calvisano, 6 caps)
22 Andrea BACCHETTI (Rovigo, esordiente)

Griffen starts: going for experience
locks Dellapè - Reato, Del Fava is probably not completely fit yet
Zanni starts :bravo: , Sole on the bench
Garcia out :bravo: , Mi. Bergamasco center, Pratichetti winger: good picks (hope to see Bacchetti too)

a pretty phisical team, the real weakness is (as usual...) halves position

 

[An Tarbh]

Seems a bit harsh on Toniolati, thought he looked decent enough last week when he came on. At least Bergamasco is back in his rightful position, more's the pity for Ireland.

 

[Tehsniper]

Ireland were very impressive against France last week they should win this one by 20+ I reckon. Nice to see Griffen is back, sideburns power! By the way hi everyone this is my first post

 

[shazbooger]

Welcome to TRF.

 

[Daylightfire]

I think if Irelands backs fire again, then this could be a huge score!

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Daylightfire @ Feb 13 2009, 01:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I think if Irelands backs fire again, then this could be a huge score![/b]

it's more down to our forwards being as dominant as they were on Saturday, if that doesn't happen then the backs will have no platform on which to create anything and I don't think we can live off scraps like we have done previously.

 

[shtove]

I want to see Ireland's backs finish off that move a couple of years ago, when they lined up vertically behind their own scrum middle of the halfway line and ... Italy shoved us off the ball!

 

[alexrugby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shtove @ Feb 13 2009, 11:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I want to see Ireland's backs finish off that move a couple of years ago, when they lined up vertically behind their own scrum middle of the halfway line and ... Italy shoved us off the ball![/b]

I think Irish are gearing up for winning that match and so will happen by my prediction

 

[monkeypigeon]

Ok, here's how it goes. I want at least four tries or I'll be annoyed.

O'Gara to hit the corners and O'Connell to attack they're lineout. Hopefully the scrum stays up, because it's unlikely we'll be getting quick ruck ball against Mauro and Parisse.

Hopefully the back three to do damage and Mallet seems to be aiming for redemption by throwing Mirco at centre to charge at Paddy Wallace and Ronan O'Gara channel