Italy vs Ireland

Colm_OReilly

Just thought I'd start a new thread for this match.

Who do you think we should play/rest? Given that France will prob beat Wales in Paris (just a feeling, could change in a few hours) I'd say we might need the points over Italy so should we put out a strong team or blood new players?

I'd say rest Kearney entirely, have Murphy start with Girv in replacement. That gives the physios 3 full weeks to make sure that ankle is on form. I'd start Wallace again, but bring in D'Arcy for the second half. Then see how they fare for England. I'd also like to see Humphries brought on for ROG once the game is sewn up.

Thoughts?

barnesd

Same starting XV for me with the only possible change to the 22 being Earls in for G. Murphy. There's no time be messing about, Italy being the weakest team in the 6N we should play our strongest side and put as many points on them as possible. We've lost the 6N something like 3 times on points difference.

Podge_irl

Same XV assuming Kearney is fit to play. If not then Murphy I guess (its only Italy, I guess he can't **** up too much). Don't see any reason to mess around with the team though, they're playing well.

Stev_o

Bring a back up OH in the 22 at the expense of someone? Surely Humphries deserves some game time against Italy?

Crash

I'd leave the starting XV as is, but have a good solid look at the bench - O'Kelly out for Ryan, maybe Healy in for Court (either that or plan on using and bringing in Court) etc.

toomevara

Any chance we could persuade the Italians to start Bergamasco at 9 again?....no?....thought not...

toomevara

Mallet's called up Paul Griffen as a stop-gap.

Soldie

D'Arcy or Earls in for Wallace, wouldn't change the rest unless Kearney's ankle is a problem, in which case I'd put in Murphy.

Serenity Now!

Colm_OReilly wrote: »

Just thought I'd start a new thread for this match.

Who do you think we should play/rest? Given that France will prob beat Wales in Paris (just a feeling, could change in a few hours) I'd say we might need the points over Italy so should we put out a strong team or blood new players?

I'd say rest Kearney entirely, have Murphy start with Girv in replacement. That gives the physios 3 full weeks to make sure that ankle is on form. I'd start Wallace again, but bring in D'Arcy for the second half. Then see how they fare for England. I'd also like to see Humphries brought on for ROG once the game is sewn up.

Thoughts?

Is this because they were crocked or because its 'just' Italy?

The same 22, barring injuries, will probably be named as each game will be treated by the team and management as toughie.
Rob Kearney made it to the Supporters Club event after the game and said he wasn't worried about his ankle at all, by the way.

Humphreys won't be in the squad obviously as he is bench replacement on the 'A' side.

barnesd

I can't see the argument at all for Earls at 12.

Tirabaralla

[OT] Ciao!
I didn't know where to post this so I thought that maybe this thread would do...(couldn't find a presentations thread).
I am an italian girl, and since where I live now I dunno anyone to watch and comment the matches with, I hope you don't mind if I spend a lil' time on this board during the 6 Nations. I am not an expert, just an enthusiast...I think I'll read more than I'll write...but I'll be around ^_^ [/OT]

[Jackass]

I'd have same pack and D'Arcy in for Wallace as a straight swop. I'd also have Healy on the bench. Other than that I think most players did well.

barnesd

[Jackass] wrote: »

I'd have same pack and D'Arcy in for Wallace as a straight swop. I'd also have Healy on the bench. Other than that I think most players did well.

We've no backup tighthead if Healy is on the bench.

bren2002

I fear this game.

Boots09

Id like to see Wallace get another chance at 12 tbh, I thought he looked decent there before he got the bang!

Orizio

Tirabaralla wrote: »

[OT] Ciao!
I didn't know where to post this so I thought that maybe this thread would do...(couldn't find a presentations thread).
I am an italian girl, and since where I live now I dunno anyone to watch and comment the matches with, I hope you don't mind if I spend a lil' time on this board during the 6 Nations. I am not an expert, just an enthusiast...I think I'll read more than I'll write...but I'll be around ^_^ [/OT]

Hello, plenty of rugby fans in Cork to debate with.

As for the team, replace Murphy with Earls on the bench and thats it. Give Wallace 60 minutes to show what he can do.

No point resting players, we need to put up some big scores and keep the momentum going.

sm.org

Orizio wrote: »

Hello, plenty of rugby fans in Cork to debate with.

As for the team, replace Murphy with Earls on the bench and thats it. Give Wallace 60 minutes to show what he can do.

No point resting players, we need to put up some big scores and keep the momentum going.

Inclined to agree how heart breaking was losing the 2007 championship on points and to a dodgy French trie to boot. Wallace deserves another shot , didn't miss a tackle and had to cover for ROG a few times as well.

Brewster

sm.org wrote: »

Inclined to agree how heart breaking was losing the 2007 championship on points and to a dodgy French trie to boot. Wallace deserves another shot , didn't miss a tackle and had to cover for ROG a few times as well.

Wallace most certainly deserves another start. He made some massive tackles. He had one very poor pass, and I thought it was crass in the extreme of the newspapers to point this out in their ratings column! One poor pass in 80 minutes?? Its like some aspects of the media want to guy to fail. The game as it developed was never going to suit Paddy, Ireland were defending for large parts of the game and Paddy never got a chance to show what he could do with ball in hand. Ireland were ruthless on Sat, they scored just about every visit they got into the 22 from what I recall. Id expect a big game from Paddy Wallace next week when he will have more time and space. Same team again, you argue for Rory Best to start agaisnt the more physical Italian pack but other than this, same again please Deccie.

Noopti

Yeah, agree with the sentiments displayed here. Same team should start.

redmca

I agree with the general consensus to leave well enough alone, consolidate the belief that is clearly growing through the whole squad. However, if anyone is carrying an injury (Kearney??), I think it makes sense to rest them when there are very good alternatives available (Murphy, Earls, Dempsey, to name but a few).
Also, it is agreed by all that the Italians are probably the most physical side we will meet and as we continue to rely so heavily on ROG, I would support the notion of subbing him with Wallace once (hopefully) the game is won. If the game opens up in the last 20, then Wallace is a better OH to exploit this in any case.

chupacabra

Consistency is needed now, so keeping the same match day 22 is important, including starting Wallace again at 12. I would like to see Earls on the bench, tho i doubt he will be fully recovered by sunday.