Italy v Ireland Buildup Thread

P_1

Seeing as this how we're doing things these days...

Basically we need to at least draw to avoid any scenario where we might end up collecting one of these fine utensils

awec

I think we'll be fine tbh.

thomond2006

Lock Donnacha Ryan damaged a shoulder during the game and centre Luke
Marshall sustained concussion.

Both are doubts for the closing match away to Italy next Saturday.

Flanker Peter O'Mahony, scrum-half Conor Murray, centre Brian O'Driscoll and wing Fergus McFadden also picked up a variety of knocks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21734262

If all of the above are missing, what are we left with????

awec

Oh, I forgot about the new potential injury list.

We're screwed.

P_1

Right lads, time to pack the boots and the passports so, looks like our team needs us.

:pac:

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

If all of the above are missing, what are we left with????

Healy, Best, Ross, DOC, McCarthy, Henderson, SOB, Heaslip, Murray, Sexton, Fitzgerald, McSharry, Earls, Gilroy, Kearney

Cronin, Kilcoyne, Archer, Toner, TOD, Marshall, Jackson, Trimble

Or something like that. That would be ridiculous though!

phog

I'm in Rome and was hoping to get to the game, tickets haven't come through yet so looking doubtful for me. Hope to pick up two over there. Either way hope Ireland win with some conviction.

Might try and get the U20s game too.

P_1

phog wrote: »

I'm in Rome and was hoping to get to the game, tickets haven't come through yet so looking doubtful for me. Hope to pick up two over there. Either way hope Ireland win with some conviction.

Might try and get the U20s game too.

You should be fine getting tickets I would have thought, from looking at the Rome matches on the box, they have a healthy crowd but not necessarily sell outs

irishbucsfan

phog wrote: »

I'm in Rome and was hoping to get to the game, tickets haven't come through yet so looking doubtful for me. Hope to pick up two over there. Either way hope Ireland win with some conviction.

Might try and get the U20s game too.

If you fancy a trip to Milan on Sunday you can go cheer on the women!

Tox56

thomond2006 wrote: »

If all of the above are missing, what are we left with????

If both Marshall and BOD are out, I would be very very interested to see what centre partnership Kidney comes up with

opinionatedfan

Hope to see Henderson start.

phog

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If you fancy a trip to Milan on Sunday you can go cheer on the women!

I looked at the fixture but Milan is surely a 4 hour trip by train so out of the question really.

Pudsy33

P_1 wrote: »

Right lads, time to pack the boots and the passports so, looks like our team needs us.

:pac:

I've played literally every position bar the front row, that should warrant a bench spot!

EoghanIRL

Italy's backs played good against England but the Irish forwards are much stronger than the Italians . But with Irelands injury list I think it will be a close game

Swan Curry

I heard Castrogiovanni went off injured today.Is this true and if so,is there any news on whether he'll be back?He's arguably their second most important player,behind Parisse of course.

opinionatedfan

Swan Curry wrote: »

I heard Castrogiovanni went off injured today.Is this true and if so,is there any news on whether he'll be back?He's arguably their second most important player,behind Parisse of course.

He did, but his replacement was excellent

P_1

What 10 will Italy name I wonder?

slowburner

awec wrote: »

I think we'll be fine tbh.

Not so sure tbh.

Italy only really got going in the second half against England today. Ireland have yet to produce any sort of performance in the second half.
So we're pitching a team that attacks with ferocity in the first half, focuses on shaky defence in the second, against a team that can absorb the pressure, bides their time, and counter attacks in the second half.

That said, Kidney is probably well aware of the pattern. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see a defensive performance in the first half followed by creative attack in the second.
I expect to see an initial war of attrition and I hope the bench can back it up.


This initial spirited flurry, followed by aimlessness, has been a persistent flaw with Irish rugby since the last world cup.

trouttrout

opinionatedfan wrote: »

Hope to see Henderson start.

Instead of who though? Can't really drop any of our backrow

Hype710

Sub 9 will be interesting. Boss is most suited to this game and is most experienced but with us out of the championship I'd love to see Marmion being given a shot. However Marshall was picked for the Wolfhounds so he may be in pole position. Were Murray ruled out too I'd have Boss to start and Marmion to bench.

Kayless

Lads what is the deal with our injury list? Can someone explain why so many of our key players have picked up injury's this 6 nations? I have never seen anything like it

ScissorPaperRock

phog wrote: »

I'm in Rome and was hoping to get to the game, tickets haven't come through yet so looking doubtful for me. Hope to pick up two over there. Either way hope Ireland win with some conviction.

I'm also in Rome at the moment, and it has been pretty easy to get tickets for the games here. The 'tabacchi' shops you see around the place usually sell them.

trouttrout

Hype710 wrote: »

Sub 9 will be interesting. Boss is most suited to this game and is most experienced but with us out of the championship I'd love to see Marmion being given a shot. However Marshall was picked for the Wolfhounds so he may be in pole position. Were Murray ruled out too I'd have Boss to start and Marmion to bench.

I don't really think Boss is suited to the game we should be looking to play against Italy. Especially as the sub nine

Marhsall would be perfect

Swan Curry

This is a nothing match,5th place is no different to 6th as relative to where Ireland should be on the table,they're both crap.

I'd like to see Henderson start this and give O'Mahony a rest,he's been brilliant this 6 Nations and as someone who doubted him at the start of the championship,I've been proved completely wrong.However,Henderson is too good to not be given this chance.

If both Marshall and BOD are out,I'd like to see McSharry and Cave come in.McFadden and Fitz on the wings and Earls on the bench to come on at 60 and run rings around a tired Italian backline or (as a worst case scenario,mind) fill in at 13.

The SH bench spot should go to either Marshall or Marmion,there's really no point bringing Boss when we have two young 9s playing well for their provinces.I'd go for Marshall as he brings something rather different than what Murray offers.

I fear Ireland could lose this.An Italian team,playing in Rome,looking for another scalp is a scary thought,and one we shouldn't take lightly.

opinionatedfan

Swan Curry wrote: »

This is a nothing match,5th place is no different to 6th as relative to where Ireland should be on the table,they're both crap.

I'd like to see Henderson start this and give O'Mahony a rest,he's been brilliant this 6 Nations and as someone who doubted him at the start of the championship,I've been proved completely wrong.However,Henderson is too good to not be given this chance.

wouldn't go as far as brillant, he has had his brightspots. Henderson deserves the same opportunity.

Swan Curry wrote: »

If both Marshall and BOD are out,I'd like to see McSharry and Cave come in.McFadden and Fitz on the wings and Earls on the bench to come on at 60 and run rings around a tired Italian backline or (as a worst case scenario,mind) fill in at 13.

The SH bench spot should go to either Marshall or Marmion,there's really no point bringing Boss when we have two young 9s playing well for their provinces.I'd go for Marshall as he brings something rather different than what Murray offers.

I fear Ireland could lose this.An Italian team,playing in Rome,looking for another scalp is a scary thought,and one we shouldn't take lightly.

McSharry is injured I think, would be shocked if BOD didn't play. But agree on Cave being his replacement.

Has to be Marshall on the bench.

Lapin

If we lose this game, England will become the only side to remain unbeaten by Italy since they joined the 6 Nations.

19543261

Pudsy33 wrote: »

I've played literally every position bar the front row, that should warrant a bench spot!

I've played none; I'll be our wild card.

ConFurioso

Swan Curry wrote: »

This is a nothing match,5th place is no different to 6th as relative to where Ireland should be on the table,they're both crap.

I think the monetary prize in the 6 nations differs depending on position in the table.

Hersheys

Ferg out with a broken rib.

Fitz to come in?

totallegend

Hersheys wrote: »

Ferg out with a broken rib.

Fitz to come in?

Gilroy more likely if fit, otherwise Luke with Trimble on the bench.

Hype710

Who on earth is going to play centre if Marshall and BOD are out? Bearing in mind we're already missing D'arcy, McFadden, Wallace, McSharry, Tonetti and Cave.

danthefan

Sexton likely to be fit according to the news.

The Orb

phog wrote: »

I'm in Rome and was hoping to get to the game, tickets haven't come through yet so looking doubtful for me. Hope to pick up two over there. Either way hope Ireland win with some conviction.

Might try and get the U20s game too.

listicket.it official website for tickets, download tickets as a pdf, print,job done.

dub_skav

Hype710 wrote: »

Who on earth is going to play centre if Marshall and BOD are out? Bearing in mind we're already missing D'arcy, McFadden, Wallace, McSharry, Tonetti and Cave.

Madigan? Kidney does like outhalves at 12

Tox56

Hype710 wrote: »

Who on earth is going to play centre if Marshall and BOD are out? Bearing in mind we're already missing D'arcy, McFadden, Wallace, McSharry, Tonetti and Cave.

Cave should be OK for Italy I think.

If McSharry is still injured, and both starting centres from last week are unavailable, the best use of resources is probably:

Murray
Sexton
Earls
Fitzgerald
Cave
Gilroy
Kearney

Marshall
Madigan (unlikely, but he can cover fullback and 12 and he's a good impact sub option)
Trimble

Might have forgotten someone, but considering all the injuries that's not a bad starting backline. Bench is a little weak, but there is impact there.

daniels.ducks

Kayless wrote: »

Lads what is the deal with our injury list? Can someone explain why so many of our key players have picked up injury's this 6 nations? I have never seen anything like it

The physicality this year seems to be up two or three levels and Ireland are not able to handle it. There is a new type of centre coming through. Battering rams basically such as Basterau and Tuilagi just to name two. Wingers such are getting much bigger aswell. We don't seem to be breeding this hybrid(prop/centre). Maybe we could try Cronin out in the centre as he has speed and power but this would be ridiculous.
The best way around this is to play fast ball. This is why we need a SH such as Reddan.
Rolling mauls seem to be working well for us but every scrum half in the championship doesn't know when to take advantage of a rolling mall. The function of it is to keep the opposition going backwards so the ball should be thrown out when the opposition backs are back heeling away. Not when the maul stops.

totallegend

Hype710 wrote: »

Who on earth is going to play centre if Marshall and BOD are out? Bearing in mind we're already missing D'arcy, McFadden, Wallace, McSharry, Tonetti and Cave.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Marshall will pass the concussion protocol. BOD must be permanently concussed at this stage so what differnce will one more make?

What's wrong with Cave?

Madigan at 12 isn't the craziest idea but only as a last resort.

Edit: Googled it, Cave had concussion but is surely OK now? I'd imagine Earls would get the nod ahead of him with Trimble to come in on the wing.

Luke Fitzgerald is probably a better option than Madigan at 12.

Hype710

Cave is out according to the IT. In a way I hope we don't see BOD named. He's in no way fit after picking up a bad concussion and a bad knock to the ankle. He'll do his Lions chances harm by playing and risk seriously injuring himself.

Buer

daniels.ducks wrote: »

The physicality this year seems to be up two or three levels and Ireland are not able to handle it. There is a new type of centre coming through. Battering rams basically such as Basteraud and Tuilagi just to name two.

Combined line breaks by Bastareaud, Tuilagi, Davies, Roberts, Twelvetrees, Barrit, Fofana, Fritz, Lamont and Scott against Ireland in this championship?

One.

Combined tries by all the back lines against Ireland in this championship?

Two.

OnTheCouch

Swan Curry wrote: »

I heard Castrogiovanni went off injured today.Is this true and if so,is there any news on whether he'll be back?He's arguably their second most important player,behind Parisse of course.

The Italian scrum improved immeasurably when Castro went off actually, whether this was down to his replacement, I am not sure, not knowing the finer points of scum battles.

I suspect Ireland will win more easily than some people imagine, Italy always are dangerous when they have been woeful in the previous match and teams subconsciously believe they are in for an easy ride, ie England yesterday. There is no pressure on the Irish team now, plus they have seen the potential Italian danger so I think they will be all right.

daniels.ducks

Buer wrote: »

Combined line breaks by Bastareaud, Tuilagi, Davies, Roberts, Twelvetrees, Barrit, Fofana, Fritz, Lamont and Scott against Ireland in this championship?

One.

Combined tries by all the back lines against Ireland in this championship?

Two.

Amount of injuries?
Too many

fryup

is it worth putting a few geegees on italy to win??

totallegend

fryup wrote: »

is it worth putting a few geegees on italy to win??

Italy are 5/2. I think that's great value; if both teams replicate their respective performances from yesterday and if Orquera can lift his kicking percentages a bit, Italy will win.

LUMP ON!

bilston

The backs will be interesting.

Who are the options at 12? Earls, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Jackson?

I guess we'll see this backline...

15 Kearney, 14 Gilroy/Trimble, 13 O'Driscoll, 12 Earls, 11 Fitzgerald, 10 Sexton, 9 Murray.

If we swapped Earls and Fitzgerald that actually wouldn't be too bad at all.

awec

Please no Earls at 12.

Riskymove

bilston wrote: »

Who are the options at 12? Earls, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Jackson?

surely ROG at 10 and Sexton at 12???





.....just kidding!!

bilston

Riskymove wrote: »

surely ROG at 10 and Sexton at 12???





.....just kidding!!

You're might be kidding but the rest of us are sniggering...nervously...

totallegend

Riskymove wrote: »

surely ROG at 10 and Sexton at 12???



.....just kidding!!

It's gas that with all the injuries we've shipped, out-half is the one position in which all of our options are available this weekend.

trouttrout

daniels.ducks wrote: »

The physicality this year seems to be up two or three levels and Ireland are not able to handle it. There is a new type of centre coming through. Battering rams basically such as Basterau and Tuilagi just to name two. Wingers such are getting much bigger aswell. We don't seem to be breeding this hybrid(prop/centre). Maybe we could try Cronin out in the centre as he has speed and power but this would be ridiculous.
The best way around this is to play fast ball. This is why we need a SH such as Reddan.
Rolling mauls seem to be working well for us but every scrum half in the championship doesn't know when to take advantage of a rolling mall. The function of it is to keep the opposition going backwards so the ball should be thrown out when the opposition backs are back heeling away. Not when the maul stops.

I love the way this kind of post always appears after we lose a few games

Basterau has had an awful championship, what good has his size done for him? Look at Jamie Roberts and Brad Barritt, two big lumps who really haven't made much of a mark at all on this years six nations.

The best 12 in the world right now is Fofana in my mind, and he's only a squirt of a fella.

Ireland don't need bigger centres, they need better back coaching.

thomond2006

Conrad Smith is the best 13 around but isn't the biggest.

Good teams are able to set up their defences in order to cut down big ball carriers.

bilston

To be fair to Kidney, while I still believe the time has come for him to move on he has been very unlucky with injuries. I was thinking yesterday watching the build up to the England Italy game on RTE that maybe we have to accept that players just can't play 5 games in 7 or 8 weeks. Moving forward should we consider limiting players game time in the 6Ns? If you consider there are 5 games of 80 minutes that's 400 minutes. Maybe game time should be limited to 320 minutes, ie 4 games, obviously you can start all five games but be subbed with 15 mins left in each game (eg Ross). It's easier said than done but rugby seems to be getting harder and harder and something needs done. Also in November I'd limit the players to two games out of the three. It gives players more recovery time but it also allows the coach to assess his options.