Italy v Wales (pre/during/post thread)

juvenal

Italy v Wales
Saturday 14 March 2009, 3.00pm (Irish)
Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Live on RTÉ2, RTÉ.ie, RTÉ Radio 1; BBC1, BBC Radio 5 Live

Italy|No.|Wales
Andrea Marcato|15|Lee Byrne
Giulio Rubini|14|Mark Jones
Gonzalo Canale|13|Jamie Roberts
Mirco Bergamasco|12|Gavin Henson
Matteo Pratichetti|11|Shane Williams
Luke McLean|10|James Hook
Paul Griffen|9|Mike Phillips
Salvatore Perugini|1|John Yapp
Leonardo Ghiraldini|2|Huw Bennett
Carlos Nieto|3|Rhys Thomas
Santiago Dellape|4|Luke Charteris
Marco Bortolami|5|Alun Wyn Jones
Alessandro Zanni|6|Jonathan Thomas
Mauro Bergamasco|7|Dafydd Jones
Sergio Parisse|8|Andy Powell

Italy replacements: Franco Sbaraglini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Josh Sole, Pablo Canavosio, Luciano Orquera, Roberto Quartaroli.

Wales replacements: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones, Warren Fury, Stephen Jones, Tom Shanklin.

Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), David Changleng (Scotland)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)

This is the forgotten match of Round 4 of the 2009 Six Nations Championship, and probably for good reason. Almost every observer cannot see beyond a Welsh victory, despite the introduction of nine new faces in to the starting XV by coach Warren Gatland. Reports coming from the Italian camp suggest problems between the playing squad and coach Nick Mallet. The Italian press alleged that group of players wrote a letter to Italian rugby chiefs questioning Mallett, but that was denied this week by prop Salvatore Perugini.

On the field, there appears to be too much strength in the Wales team to be threatened by a limited Italian outfit. Despite the nine changes, Wales still boast potential first-choice players with Gavin Henson and James Hook coming into the backline, and a new captain in lock Alun Wyn Jones. The new Welsh faces will be looking to make a big impression with the visit of Ireland to Cardiff coming a week later.

The Italians are one of the teams that have suffered the most since the introduction of the ELV's, and while their pack remain strong, their backline are a mixed bunch. Paul Griffen retains his place at scrum-half, although there's not much in the way of creative talent outside him. Despite being at home, the Italians may be looking to damage limitation early on if the Welsh backline find a high gear.

I can't really see anything apart from a Welsh win, although the manner of it will depend on how the pack fares against a strong Italian forward line. Referee Alan Lewis may also have a part to play, and the Italians will need to make the most of every opportunity if they're going to have any chance of a result tomorrow. The Welsh backline, especially the back three, possess enough pace and talent to cause the Italians problems from deep, and it will be interesting to see who puts up their hand for selection against Ireland.

Italy 10 Wales 32?

thomond2006

Let's hope the Azzurri keep the score down.

stephen_n

Wales will win but it's a hard call as too what the score will be, the welsh have been to say the least erratic so far in this 6 nations and the Italians will always put up a good defence. Hook's inclusion at outhalf is an interesting one as he never seems to move the welsh backline as well as Jones but he will do it slow and steady hopefully it will be less than 20 points in it!

dreamer_ire

I know this is complete madness but there is a part of me that fancies Italy to win. I don't think Wales have played well so far this year and I think the Italians will be p***ed but Gatlands changes and will be well up for it. I'm hoping the Italian pack can dominate and reduce the amount of ball the Welsh backs get. If they get into the game Wales will win comfortably but I'm hoping (maybe against hope!) that Italy will do us a favour tomorrow.

Sangre

The last place Wales should be making changes in the pack is Italy in Rome. Think Wales have too much class to lose but think it will be a lot closer than most think. Wales by 5.

Pride Fighter

Italy will win. They have beaten full strength Wales teams in the past, they can beat there second string. I know rugby has moved on a bit since, but home advantage gives Italy a 10 point start IMO.

corny

Its a shame the Italians are going to try and move it a bit under Mallett because the simple truth is their backs are worse than useless. Up front they can take it to the Welsh. Playing 10 man rugby they'd easily compete but they won't, they'll make several mistakes in open play and the Welsh are ruthless on turnover ball. Wales by 20 points (most of them gifts from the Italians).

Rattlehead_ie

haha this is great, Italians beating the Welsh and also look the strong team. Come on ITALY!!!!

Micky Dolenz

Go on Italy..

Orizio

Italy winning by 3, some decent kicking and very strong up front.

Wales have been poor, but I still expect them to win.

Rattlehead_ie

Fair point by George Hook "If the championship was decided on 20mins game, Italy would win it every year"
but I dont care, this is great!

2nd string welsh pack supposedly! I'm not sure but Italian front 8 always bring the pain

Craft25

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

haha this is great, Italians beating the Welsh and also look the strong team. Come on ITALY!!!!

some of their knock-ons are ridiculous though!! They seem to get altitude sickness when too high up the field!!

goin nicely for us so far though!! 6-7

Micky Dolenz

9-7
Italy for a major upset:pac::pac:

mike65

G'wan Italy (sadly it'll peter out in the second half)

Orizio

Don't think that was a try in fairness.

Colm_OReilly

Go on Italia, destroying the Welsh scrum. First five-ten minutes of the second half crucial, Italy need to to score themselves and/or not concede anything. Then they may pull off the win.

soundsham

what a crap game..........comon italy.......zzzzzzzzz

Craft25

drop goal! booo

MooseJam

go Italy lol, wales really racking up the points

RuggieBear

terrible game but it would be great (for us) for italy to win

Rattlehead_ie

It would be great if Italy won and then Enland&France was a draw or something like that, winner!!! but thats crazy talk and we wont say anything till the fat prop sings

Orizio

I feel we need to erect a statue to Parisse somewhere. Its more then justifiable by this stage.

Craft25

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

It would be great if Italy won and then Enland&France was a draw or something like that, winner!!! but thats crazy talk and we wont say anything till the fat prop sings

we havent beaten scotland yet!

NickNolte

Is anyone got the feeling watching this game that a Grand Slam is getting a lot closer than it was an hour ago?

Micky Dolenz

great stuff

Orizio

12 - 7 Italy. Entertaining game in its own way.

Craft25

NickNolte wrote: »

Is anyone got the feeling watching this game that a Grand Slam is getting a lot closer than it was an hour ago?

it's like a black man becoming president... you just can't believe it is even a possibility until it actually happens!!

yogidc26

Come on Italy!!!!

Hope they win good for the sport over there and hope they get in to the ML nice few trips to Italy with lads

Rattlehead_ie

Craft25 wrote: »

we havent beaten scotland yet!

HuH!!! I said nothing bout Scotland I just said the above would be a good result for us?!

Craft25

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

HuH!!! I said nothing bout Scotland I just said the above would be a good result for us?!

sorry man, i got from your post that you thought if this match & eng v fra went right then we'd have the championship in the bag already (winner!!!)

just pointing out we could lose the last two and still hand it to france in them circumstances

Paulw

Italy can certainly win this game. Plenty of time yet. But, I can't see Wales getting the points they really want to narrow the difference with Ireland.