Italy v Ireland

[coonor]

Comparisons between the performance of Italy and Ireland before Christmas are instructive. Argentina won in Verona but lost at the Aviva. Italy's only try was in the final minutes of the game by the penalty-try route, where the much-vaunted Puma scrum was penalised. However, had Parisee's kick-and-chase in the opening minute yielded a try, then many neutral observers believe the result could have been different.

If Italy had difficulty scoring tries then Ireland were no different against the same opponents.

A lone try by Stephen Ferris was all Kidney's men could manage against an under-strength Argentina chained to an ultra-conservative game plan. It all points to a war of attrition in Rome and that can only narrow the odds in favour of a home win. (George Hook-Irish Independent)

Once again Hook shows how completely stupid he is.
1) Ireland scored 2 tries against Argentina the other being D'arcy's
2) Hook suggests scoring tries is the only way of winning (has he never watched Scotland play)
3) Ireland have no difficulties scoring tries especially given how little possession they have. The provinces especially Leinster score those of tries.
4) He has not taken into account other factor e.g defence

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bleargh, got to miss 50mins of this for a stupid dentist appointment they can't reschedule

Thank God for BBC iPlayer

 

[lucky number 7]

Bleargh, got to miss 50mins of this for a stupid dentist appointment they can't reschedule

Thank God for BBC iPlayer

Some dentists have a tv thing built into their chairs ..inquire whether this guy has one :/

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You have some bloody fancy dentists in Ireland!
I'll be alright, I'll watch it on Sunday

 

[lucky number 7]

I got to watch the discovery channel the last time I went ...when I was 9

 

[staph.glorious]

There's little to nothing aberrant in this selection.

The irreplaceable O'Connell rightly continues his partnership with O'Callaghan, who as a pairing are more formidable than O'Connell and another. O'Callaghan's grunt-work remains unstated, and he is only rivaled in this quarter by Tuohy (injured). O'Callaghan will have to watch his discipline, though. Cullen serves as very fine cover.

Jennings has had a resurgence this season, though it's been some time coming. For whatever the reason, he has earned a place on the bench and, if called upon, will do right to perform as he has not done in an Irish shirt to date. One must remember that wholesale changes can dent a team's pattern, and this Irish backrow is missing two "incumbents" due to injury.

O'Leary is one of an average bunch - a truly average lot. His selection for his physicality is a good one considering the opponents (dogged, but rudderless at halfback). Reddan has been bettered by Boss this season, who himself may find it unjust he remains a Wolfhound. Stringer is worth a shout in the 22, but again given the fixture and Reddan's involvement in an impressive backline this season, it can be excused. It is interesting to note, though, that Stringer does not even find a spot on the A team. Remember Malcolm O'Kelly's demotion in 2009?

We've a body count in the back-three, so it's hard for it to look at all attractive. Kidney has placed faith in Fitzgerald, and I must in Kidney. Remember, fullback options are required for New Zealand. Earls plays like a winger, and (I think) topped 6 Nations records last year.

Amidst all the woes of modern warfare, Ireland still get the chance to select an in-form tighthead and a new and exciting cap on the right-wing, while maintaining the semblance of a team that can mount a challenge. Luxuries do exist.

 

[staph.glorious]

I also can't agree with calls for Cronin over Best. Best is massive in the tight, and his work rate is immense - see the match -v- Biarritz at Ravenhill. He is Ireland's best scrummaging hooker too, and as such is vital to our ailing tight five. His lineout ability can falter, but in this department it is only the injured Flannery who shows any proficiency.

Cronin is an able deputy, and great around the park, but has some finesse yet to add to his game. He should travel to New Zealand later this year.

 

[coonor]

http://planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_6718958,00.html

Mike Ross is ready to rally Ireland's retreating scrum when they open their Six Nations against Italy on Saturday.

The Irish set-piece, traditionally viewed as a weak link in their game, endured a torrid time last autumn when it was taken apart on several occasions.

Calls to draft in scrum specialist Ross were ignored, but his position as the country's in-form tighthead could not be overlooked for the Six Nations.

And having established his reputation at provincial level, the 31-year-old Leinster prop knows he must deliver on his third Test appearance.

That is alot of pressure on someone starting their first six nations match and Kidney must be kicking himself for not playing him in the Autumn internationals. Ross has suddenly become our first choice tight head and he hasn't even played a six nations game. Ross is now in a place where he can save Ireland or allow them to sink. If he fronts up he becomes the answer to Ireland's main problem and secures his number 3 shirt but if he fails he has no chance of the tight head spot and Ireland have little options left and all of this happening only 8 months before the world cup.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

If Ross has a terrible game against Italy I would still choose him for the France game. Our next best option is Buckle! Ross could let in 5 tries and still be the better choice.

 

[staph.glorious]

coonor,

From hearsay (which is to say, I cannot remember precisely in which broadsheet it was reported), Smal and/or Kidney met with Ross sometime back and set him a target level of performance required of him to make the Irish squad. Of this standard, he was not deemed ready for the "Autumn Internationals", but has since further impressed management. I suspect Kidney & co. will give Ross a fair shot at the jersey, certainly given its identity as a problem position. Of what was seen in Tony Buckley, I cannot guess.

I'd also add that it is in Kidney's eyes to treat the November test series, much like the Six Nations, as cup final after cup final. I expect he asks the same of his players. On that point, I'd suggest the pressure is the same as with any international.

8 months is not the prettiest set-up, but given a clean bill of health, Ireland can remain hopeful of a competitive tight-five in New Zealand.

 

[durbutter]

If Ross has a terrible game against Italy I would still choose him for the France game. Our next best option is Buckle! Ross could let in 5 tries and still be the better choice.

bullshit

edit; about the tries i mean. If he finds the going tough and knocks on a few balls, doesnt dominate the scrum, then fair nuff give him more time to adjust.

But if he is absolute gash and does nothing and gets hammered in the scrum, then i think Buckley would get in.

Not that that'll happen please god. The team badly needs more Cork lads.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Well not literally obviously...

 

[coonor]

bullshit

edit; about the tries i mean. If he finds the going tough and knocks on a few balls, doesnt dominate the scrum, then fair nuff give him more time to adjust.

But if he is absolute gash and does nothing and gets hammered in the scrum, then i think Buckley would get in.

Not that that'll happen please god. The team badly needs more Cork lads.

Buckley should definitely not start even if Ross have the worlds worst game. If he did have a nightmare we should pick Court at 3 and Buckley on the bench.

 

[mbertino]

Italy's XV

15 Luke MCLEAN (Benetton Treviso, 24 caps)
14 Andrea MASI (Racing-Metro Paris, 55 caps)
13 Gonzalo CANALE (Clermont-Auvergne, 61 caps)
12 Alberto SGARBI (Benetton Treviso, 8 caps)
11 Mirco BERGAMASCO (Racing-Metro Paris, 76 caps)
10 Kristopher BURTON (Benetton Treviso, 4 caps)
9 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Treviso, 2 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 72 caps) â€" capitano
7 Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton Treviso, 47 caps)
6 Josh SOLE (MPS Aironi, 46 caps)
5 Quintin GELDENHUYS (MPS Aironi, 16 caps)
4 Santiago DELLAPE’ (Racing-Metro Paris, 60 caps)
3 Martin CASTROGIOVANNI (Leicester Tigers, 71 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Benetton Treviso, 32 caps)
1 Salvatore PERUGINI (MPS Aironi, 75 caps)

a disposizione - replacements

16 Fabio ONGARO (MPS Aironi, 74 caps)
17 Andrea LO CICERO (Racing-Metro Paris, 81 caps)
18 Carlo Antonio DEL FAVA (MPS Aironi, 48 caps)
19 Valerio BERNABO’ (Benetton Treviso, 15 caps)
20 Pablo CANAVOSIO (MPS Aironi, 32 caps)
21 Luciano ORQUERA (Brive, 17 caps)
22 Gonzalo GARCIA (Benetton Treviso, 18 caps)

 

[Logorrhea]

But if he is absolute gash and does nothing and gets hammered in the scrum, then i think Buckley would get in.

Dead right. Buckley has been doing that for years now and still gets selected so why stop that selection policy now.

The worry for me is that even if Ross does well, locks down the scrum and does his bit in the tight, he'll still have to make way for Buckle.

 

[darkozone]

Looks like a tough match, but I think many of you are underestimating the experienced Irish squad. Especially with the Leinster men on their side.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Looks like a tough match, but I think many of you are underestimating the experienced Irish squad. Especially with the Leinster men on their side.

Erroneous!

 

[Amobokoboko]

Italy's XV

15 Luke MCLEAN (Benetton Treviso, 24 caps)
14 Andrea MASI (Racing-Metro Paris, 55 caps)
13 Gonzalo CANALE (Clermont-Auvergne, 61 caps)
12 Alberto SGARBI (Benetton Treviso, 8 caps)
11 Mirco BERGAMASCO (Racing-Metro Paris, 76 caps)
10 Kristopher BURTON (Benetton Treviso, 4 caps)
9 Edoardo GORI (Benetton Treviso, 2 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 72 caps) â€" capitano
7 Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton Treviso, 47 caps)
6 Josh SOLE (MPS Aironi, 46 caps)
5 Quintin GELDENHUYS (MPS Aironi, 16 caps)
4 Santiago DELLAPE’ (Racing-Metro Paris, 60 caps)
3 Martin CASTROGIOVANNI (Leicester Tigers, 71 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Benetton Treviso, 32 caps)
1 Salvatore PERUGINI (MPS Aironi, 75 caps)

a disposizione - replacements

16 Fabio ONGARO (MPS Aironi, 74 caps)
17 Andrea LO CICERO (Racing-Metro Paris, 81 caps)
18 Carlo Antonio DEL FAVA (MPS Aironi, 48 caps)
19 Valerio BERNABO’ (Benetton Treviso, 15 caps)
20 Pablo CANAVOSIO (MPS Aironi, 32 caps)
21 Luciano ORQUERA (Brive, 17 caps)
22 Gonzalo GARCIA (Benetton Treviso, 18 caps)

Good squad selection, plenty of experience, hopefully they can pull it thru, altho it looks like a hard task

 

[Jockstap]

Those Italian forwards are some seriously big units, the pack out weighs us by about 40 kilos.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think we will win comfortably as Italians just don't seem to have what it takes and maybe the change at 10 with Gower injured is a hammer blow