RBS 6 Nations - Italy vs England (11/02/2012, 16:00)

[B10]

Was good to hear from Ben Morgan that this weeks training was more about attack

"This is going to be a tough test and a real challenge, and we have to be on top form to win. This week's training is about our skills, our set piece and broken field play to maximise any opportunities that we might create.

"We were pleased with the result [in Edinburgh], but there's a lot of things we want to work on if we are going to win again. It's about making it a perfect game, running the right patterns, getting into the set-ups early and making the most of them."

 

[Zulu-Cow]

I have to agree I think this is a really good opportunity for Italy over England. If Italy play it simple,make there kicks,dont try and do anything to expansive they will frustrate the English. I think they have a really good chance to beat England! or maybe im just being a romantic

 

[B10]

Starting line up and bench unchanged

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Disappointing but not surprising.

 

[Gavin]

Italy by 5; hopefully

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think our voctory all depends on what style we try and play. i'm hoping that England can play a more expansive style when required to cut through the Italian defence. I didn't see any cutting runs last week just players running into others without an amazing amount of support play.

Italy beat France and nearly beat the Irish, it's only a matter of time before they scalp another one of the so called higher tier teams.

 

[Teh Mite]

The weather will be the decisive factor in this. Snow Friday AM forcast, so cold and boggy on the pitch. Up yer jumper rugby, would have been a better move to play Farrell at 10 and bring in Turner Hall to barrel up the centre IMO. Hodgeson won't enjoy himself.

If the defence is solid, England by a multiple of 3.

 

[Teh Mite]

Double post.

 

[gingergenius]

Disappointing but not surprising.

this.

still, i'll be at the game, my only two experiences of England away was Murrayfield 2010 (15-15 draw, no tries) and vs SA RWC 2007 (0-36, no tries). Wonder what Rome 2012 will look like...

 

[danit]

this.

still, i'll be at the game, my only two experiences of England away was Murrayfield 2010 (15-15 draw, no tries) and vs SA RWC 2007 (0-36, no tries). Wonder what Rome 2012 will look like...

this sounds promising....

 

[Gavin]

All my vBookie money on an Italian win. Hoo Hum

 

[Darwin]

Got to think England should win this game reasonably comfortably. They were hardly convincing against Scotland, but they have had another week to gel together now, while Italy didn't really look to pose to many threats versus France.

I expect Italy will look to target the relatively inexperienced England scrum, but I expect England should be able to hold there own in that department. I actually think Italy may have a slight edge in the loose-forwards, so I think Croft, Robshaw, and particularly Dowson need to really step up this game. The England backline didn't threaten much against Scotland, but I expect they will have a bit more room to move this weekend. I expected that they may spin it wide a bit as the Italian outside backs (Venditti in particular) looked very shaky on defense last week, but if the weather is as bad as predicted this almost certainly wont be the case!

 

[mstar]

It's going to be a scrappy game like Scotland game, the best defence and less error prone will win. Italy have potential but I just think england edge it.

 

[Phlegm & Poise]

Italy in Rome...it has turned into a nasty little fixture for most NH sides recently. You don't want to be the one who is scalped yet it is only a matter of time. It seems like ages since the last time England looked convincing there.

 

[Teh Mite]

Kick
chase
Kick
Chase
Kick
Chase
kick
Foden counter attack
Kick
Chase
Kickchase
Same old sarries...

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Does anyone else completely despise Jeremy Guscott? I think he's an absolute tool with nothing accurate to say about rugby.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Does anyone else completely despise Jeremy Guscott? I think he's an absolute tool with nothing accurate to say about rugby.

I agree, all he goes on about is how he thinks everything should be like and all his articles say how amazing Bath are! He comes accross like a giant nob! But then a lot of rugby journalism is pretty bad. I much prefere reading peoples views on here coz the majority of them are well balanced. It's also nice to have supporters of other teams comment about players i hadn't really seen like Seymore, Parling, Saul, mullan ect

 

[Nielsch]

interesting to see what italy can do

 

[gingergenius]

I agree, all he goes on about is how he thinks everything should be like and all his articles say how amazing Bath are! He comes accross like a giant nob! But then a lot of rugby journalism is pretty bad. I much prefere reading peoples views on here coz the majority of them are well balanced. It's also nice to have supporters of other teams comment about players i hadn't really seen like Seymore, Parling, Saul, mullan ect

Corry's just written a column for Planet Rugby where he's produced a fair and accurate assessment of all 3 games last weekend; pointed out that Ireland suffer from having 2 6s, that Dowson's selection is puzzling and a whole load of other, highly sensible things to say. But yeah, in general rugby journalism is terrible.

 

[eot345]

I Think that Italy were very impressive last weekend, I was quite impressed with Giovanbattista Venditti's debut he was a little shacky but had a couple of good carries going forward (equal or better then any other Italian back). Without Flood or Manu England simply seem to lack creativity and penetration, farrel is painfull slow for a centre and barrit is hardly a creative as centres go. I was also surprised at Cobisiero's game against scotland he played better then i expected given that he is on poor form for his club and barely starts. I think England will hold steadythe italians up front whilst Englands back 3 should provide the finishing to beat Italy.

Score 16-9 England

It would have been good to have seen dickson and Morgan starting