England vs Italy

Coburger

Hey, does anyone have any interest in this game. I just read that England have an average score of 48 points against Italy per game. That is some average.

irishbucsfan

Up to England to prove they're the real deal today.

irishbucsfan

Coburger wrote: »

Hey, does anyone have any interest in this game. I just read that England have an average score of 48 points against Italy per game. That is some average.

Their average winning margin in Twickenham is 33 points!

toomevara

It would appear to be merely a damage limitation exercise on the Italians part. They must be deeply concerned at how their pack performed last week against the Welsh, an exceptionally poor performance by their standards, nothwithstanding the fact that the talismanic Parisse wasn't present. The half-back pairing continues to misfire/function sporadically and I struggle to see where they're going to score from. England will more than match them up front and with little go forward I think this one could be a horror show for the italians.

They'll bring their usual passion,pride and intensity but can't see anything other than a very comfortable English win... Will be well worth a watch though if only, as irishbucs, says to see where England really are at this 6N. The cabbage patch faithful will expect a performance of stature and there's alot of expectation around this one....

Rightwing

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Their average winning margin in Twickenham is 33 points!

I was going to back the Italians +25 until I read this.

This is a mismatch but the English may be content with around 20 point victory, what's the weather like in London ?

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Up to England to prove they're the real deal today.

Yep - they should put Italy to the Sword. The real Q is not will England win, but can they do more than grind out a victory with their big pack, solid defence, discipline, and kicking 10? Can they make the 4N teams really sit up and say "Wow we have a serious opponent in the North!".

It's a big game for the English 11/14/15, who must be borderline Lions selections.

At least Italy have Parisse, so it will help even things a bit.

Rightwing

Rightwing wrote: »

I was going to back the Italians +25 until I read this.

This is a mismatch but the English may be content with around 20 point victory, what's the weather like in London ?

looks chilly but dry

Swiwi

The Italian anthem is really like going to the Opera!

opinionatedfan

don't think england are anything special

mfceiling

F*ck the game........who was yer one singing God save the Queen?

OldRio

Damn those safety pins
Much more fun last time

Swiwi

opinionatedfan wrote: »

don't think england are anything special

But they're on a winning streak, so deserve respect, nonetheless. Won't be relaxing when NZ play them again in November.

opinionatedfan

opinionatedfan wrote: »

don't think england are anything special

Doesn't mean they aren't a winning team. England teams time and time again haven't needed to do a whole lot more than the basics well to win competitions.

It's a well drilled side, Lancaster is a very astute guy.

keith16

mfceiling wrote: »

F*ck the game........who was yer one singing God save the Queen?

Laura Wright.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-2283650/SIX-NATIONS-2013-Soprano-Laura-Wright-wardrobe-malfunction-Twickenham-ahead-England-v-France.html

Swiwi

Embarrassing scrum for Italy there.

ongarite

England line speed in defence is excellent again.

keith16

Nice little half break there but wasted with the attempted offload.

Swiwi

Eng forward pack clearing out the rucks beautifully.

Magnetics

The RTE analysis team in the studio is quality without Hook involved. Would love to see Horgan, O'shea and Lenihan as permanent replacements

keith16

Swiwi wrote: »

Eng forward pack clearing out the rucks beautifully.

They are getting over the gain line with almost every phase. Could be a long afternoon for Italy.

Pudsy33

Parisse is unbelievable

Swiwi

keith16 wrote: »

They are getting over the gain line with almost every phase. Could be a long afternoon for Italy.

I'm already formulating how the ABs should play, and stopping all this quick ruck ball (in addition to not giving Farrell gimme penalties, and tackling Tualiagi) is right up there.

ongarite

Flood misses with 2 kicks to touch.

19543261

Neautral game, I'd like some neutral commentary please.

Italian defense has been great so far. Reading them well.

keith16

19543261 wrote: »

Neautral game, I'd like some neutral commentary please.

Italian defense has been great so far. Reading them well.

What station are you watching on?

Clancy given two really soft penalties in a row there. Not sure about the offside in midfield, even rewound it, no clue who he was giving it against!

19543261

keith16 wrote: »

What station are you watching on?

RTE.

Swiwi

19543261 wrote: »

Neautral game, I'd like some neutral commentary please.

Italian defense has been great so far. Reading them well.

Defending, and then inevitably giving away a penalty. Eng will be more than happy to edge up in multiples of 3.

Good maul, should be 3 points for the Italians

Swiwi

Deleted User wrote: »

Good maul, should be 3 points for the Italians

Great maul! Still remains a potent weapon if used well.

DGRulz

Anyone else think Farrel looks like a bold school boy the way he's sitting beside his dad in his suit :-P

Swiwi

DGRulz wrote: »

Anyone else think Farrel looks like a bold school boy the way he's sitting beside his dad in his suit :-P

He IS a bold school boy

Burgo

What a break!!!

decisions

Italia, italia!

Swiwi

Bugger! Parisse's hands

Nigel Owens told Clancy he was completely wrong.

ffs George

lologram

Clancy making it up as he goes along to cover his skin

keith16

Strange call there, looked like it went back from Parisse. Great pass from him initially to set it up!

Swiwi

Deleted User wrote: »

Nigel Owens told Clancy he was completely wrong.

ffs George

On replay, I think Owens was right...as always. Huge call, Italy could well have gone on to score a try.

Lapin

Held up.

keith16

Swiwi wrote: »

On replay, I think Owens was right...as always. Huge call, Italy could well have gone on to score a try.

Why did Clancy feel the need to consult with Owens if he was so sure!

Greedy by Flood there....certainly held up.

How on EARTH did Flood not convert!?1?!?

decisions

It was about 10 v 1 and they didn't score?

opinionatedfan

butchered

"4 players overlap outside? LOL no, I'll just run into a defender."

Swiwi

And Flood munts a certain try!

lologram

Flood butchered that try and his kicking has been iffy. Not great.

Burgo

Wow that was some defence.

Artful_Badger

Flood butchers a try then tells the ref not to bother checking the tmo

mfceiling

Fair play to toby flood telling the ref he didn't ground it..........but what a cock that he didn't pass out the line.

keith16

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Flood butchers a try then tells the ref not to bother checking the tmo

Actually, that's quite good sportsmanship by Flood