6N: Italy v Ireland Match Thread - Saturday March 16th, 2:30 PM K.O

P_1

Where:

Rome's stunning Stadio Olimpico

When:
Saturday March 16th at 2:30 PM

Who's showing it:
RTE and BBC in Ireland and Northern Ireland, BBC in the UK.

Who has the whistle:

England's Wayne Barnes

Italy and Ireland, two places known for their food, drink, religious history and dodgy politicians. Italy welcome a battle scarred Ireland team to a Rome that's certainly buzzing from a certain Argentinian gentleman's introduction to a position of power. That's right, Sergio Parisse is back at Number 8 following his recent translation issues in Paris.

Italy are on a high following a highly credible afternoon's work on the Cabbage Patch in West London last week and also from their Round One victory over Les Bleus. Unfortunately for them, these two performances have been intersected by disappointing losses to Scotland and Wales. Nonetheless, an Italian victory here would ensure that they avoid finishing at the bottom of the pile. It would also give them a first ever win over the Irish in the history of the 6 Nations.

Ireland, well what can we say. To call this campaign a disappointment would be putting things very diplomatically. Injuries certainly haven't helped matters but some of the performances that have been put in certainly aren't to be desired. The mission for Ireland here is clear, avoid defeat to avoid finishing at the bottom of the pile.

The teams:
Italy

15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Luke McLean, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c) 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Alberto de Marchi, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Paul Derbyshire, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 Tommaso Benvenuti.

Ireland

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c) 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Iain Henderson, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.

What the turf accountants think:
Paddy Power have Ireland as 5 point favourites and are offering odds of 4/9 for an Irish win. A home win is priced at 15/8 and you can get 20/1 on the draw.

Postscript:

Is this Declan Kidney's last match in charge of Ireland. We have all been highly critical of him of late but lest we forget that this is the man who helped to deliver one of Ireland's two Grand Slams.


Similarly, is this the last season where we have had the joy of seeing these two greats of the game in the Green shirt?

EoghanIRL

I am looking forward to the match . Finger crossed Ireland will play well but it will be tough with the injury list.
Does anyone know if o Driscoll will be playing ?

.ak

Hahah. Good write up. I'll edit the time and details into the title.

CatFromHue

Is DOC injured?

I just noticed Toner is on the bench ahead of him.

opinionatedfan

CatFromHue wrote: »

Is DOC injured?

I just noticed Toner is on the bench ahead of him.

no but Ryan is carrying a few knocks so he is unlikely to last the full game, DOC and McCarthy aren't a balanced combo, so Toner is the bench replacement.

Chabals Beard

It is a joke Toner is on for DOC. Even though I was saddened by ROG being dropped but I understood why there were younger, in form out halfs putting pressure on him. But DOC has had a good season while Toner has done nothing except being freakishly tall.

Tox56

Italy and Ireland, two places known for their food, drink, religious history and dodgy politicians.

haha love it

Think we're due a big performance. Would have felt more confident with Sexton there, who knows if we'll ever see Sexton-Marshall-BOD now, but PJ is more than capable. Hopefully we'll cut loose on a nice warm day (for once this six nations!) and sign off the BOD and DK era's with a good win. Madigan to come on and score a try, you heard it here first

opinionatedfan

Chabals Beard wrote: »

It is a joke Toner is on for DOC. Even though I was saddened by ROG being dropped but I understood why there were younger, in form out halfs putting pressure on him. But DOC has had a good season while Toner has done nothing except being freakishly tall.

If anything you can make the argument that Touhy should be ahead of Toner and DOC.

DOC is a TH lock who doesn't run a lineout, we need a lock on the bench who can cover for Ryan, DOC isn't that.

CatFromHue

Chabals Beard wrote: »

It is a joke Toner is on for DOC. Even though I was saddened by ROG being dropped but I understood why there were younger, in form out halfs putting pressure on him. But DOC has had a good season while Toner has done nothing except being freakishly tall.

Toner has been playing very well this season and is a very underrated player.

Foxtrol

opinionatedfan wrote: »

If anything you can make the argument that Touhy should be ahead of Toner and DOC.

DOC is a TH lock who doesn't run a lineout, we need a lock on the bench who can cover for Ryan, DOC isn't that.

Agree with you on this.

Question for Connacht fans - can/does McCarthy run a line out?

George Hook looking forward to it anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBPZVUL7u2E

durkadurka

Sweet suffering mother of Jesus

thomond2006

What has been seen cannot be unseen.

P_1

Why did I click 'play' WHY

decisions

I will never be able to look at him again, that can not be unseen.

Glass Prison 1214

Bahahahaha I have a new found respect for George.

fryup

anyone tempted to put a few quid on italy to win??

totallegend

fryup wrote: »

anyone tempted to put a few quid on italy to win??

At 15/8 to win (Paddy Power), I think they're good value. Bit of an ethical dilemma betting against one's own team though...

fryup

totallegend wrote: »

Bit of an ethical dilemma betting against one's own team though...

is it sure what does it matter as long as you're the winner

Aidric

Lol. Superb OP.

molloyjh

I don't think I can ever forgive you for that emmet.

awec

George Hook dancing seductively. Certainly wasn't on my list of things to see when I got up today.

Thud

awec wrote: »

George Hook dancing seductively. Certainly wasn't on my list of things to see when I got up today.

were you seduced???

wouldnt have been the word i'd have used

awec

Thud wrote: »

were you seduced???

wouldnt have been the word i'd have used

I was fighting off the urges. :P


(I'm joking, in case anyone thinks I'm a freak).

Timothy Bryce

I feel a few chickens may come home to roost for this one.

The management's refusal to significantly blood any front row players throughout this championship, could potentially see us up against it at scrum time. I noticed last week, when Castro went off, his replacement managed to do a number on a very decent England front-row.

I can see Archer & Killer being under significant pressure if they're forced off the bench early in the game. Not saying they're bad players, they just haven't had the required level of exposure to international FR opposition this 6N. If Orquera brings the boots, then who knows where that will leave us.

If it's a dry day, and we get parity at scrum/ruck time I think we may sneak this one.

Hope to see Madigan get 30 mins also

*removes blue-tinted glasses*

I was so nervous before the Wales and England games that It probably took away from some of my enjoyment of them.

Given the way things have gone I'm not in the least nervous about Saturday, and whilst I want us to win and win well, I'm not emotionally invested in it like I usually am.

With this in mind, I'd have no issue if caution was thrown to the wind and we gave a lot of promising new players a decent run out - at least off the bench.

Am actually looking forward to the games tomorrow for these reasons.

yimrsg

If Lo Cicero was on the bench then bringing on Kilcoyne and Archer would have it relatively easy come the scrumtime, as it is de Marchi is there and he nullifed Dan Cole so he poses a real danger when he comes on. Another thing I've noticed in the England game is that Italy consistently won the hits against England in the scrum, if they can do again and our loose forwards don't pack down then they could be a tricky prospect.

totallegend

IRB match preview:
http://www.irb.com/mm/document/newsmedia/mediazone/02/06/57/78/20130314itavireamend2.pdf

"BRIAN O’DRISCOLL will become the second most capped player of all time with 131 Test appearances, overtaking Ronan O’Gara’s tally of 130. It will be O’DRISCOLL’S 125th cap for Ireland."

Hippo

I think Italy have enough for this in view of our injuries. I'll be very pleasantly surprised if we come away with a win.

First Up

CatFromHue wrote: »

Toner has been playing very well this season and is a very underrated player.

I worry about his scrummaging and he's not great at staying on his feet.

Once again we take the field without a back-up kicker to Jackson. I worry about that too.

Grimebox

Seems I have the top comment on that George Hook video. I'll be signing autographs at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend

ionadnapóca

Ireland's old friend Wayne Barnes will be pinging us all day. Extra pressure on Jackson to convert his chances with the new ball. SO'B will give up his usual penalty & deliver an all round barnstorming display. Pack must be played out after last week. Ross is definitely played out. Cant see him lasting past the 50min mark. Ireland do however have that extra days rest. But Ireland havent managed to score a try in 2nd half yet. An inspired Italy to just edge this one.

freyners

Foxtrol wrote: »

Agree with you on this.

Question for Connacht fans - can/does McCarthy run a line out?

Yup

totallegend

First Up wrote: »

Once again we take the field without a back-up kicker to Jackson. I worry about that too.

What else could we have done? Madigan at full-back?

awec

I have a feeling PJ will be grand kicking wise. I think he got the debut weight off his back, and had a solid game against France. Not so much to be nervous about now.

WinnyThePoo

I just want us to play positive rugby. Get the ball out to Earls and Gilroy. 16-12 to Ireland i'd say.

Grimebox

I am not worried in the slightest about Jackson's kicking after his last two performances for Ireland and Ulster

molloyjh

ionadnapokot wrote: »

But Ireland havent managed to score a try in 2nd half yet.

We did against Wales....

ionadnapóca

43mins. ehhh. doesn't count:o

u get my drift tho. we have been vpoor 2nd half

irishbucsfan

molloyjh wrote: »

We did against Wales....

And against Scotland, wasn't Gilroy's in the 2nd half?

ScissorPaperRock

I'm nervous.

I've been living in Rome for a few months, and was talking to Italian mates back in January, and especially after the Wales game, about how this game could end up being a grand slam decider for Ireland.

I don't think I could live it down if we lose.

molloyjh

irishbucsfan wrote: »

And against Scotland, wasn't Gilroy's in the 2nd half?

Quite right, it was indeed. So both tries that we've managed in the second halves were on 43 and 44 mins respectively. We've completely failed to score in the last quarter though. ROG got pens at 44 and 58 mins in the England game.

bilston

awec wrote: »

I have a feeling PJ will be grand kicking wise. I think he got the debut weight off his back, and had a solid game against France. Not so much to be nervous about now.

Different ball in Rome though isn't it? I remember ROG couldn't kick when playing there and used to blame the ball, and it was a fair point as well as the ball is different or at least was unless they have standardised it now.

bilston

molloyjh wrote: »

Quite right, it was indeed. So both tries that we've managed in the second halves were on 43 and 44 mins respectively. We've completely failed to score in the last quarter though. ROG got pens at 44 and 58 mins in the England game.

Better use of the bench should see this remedied IMO. We have good impact on the pine tomorrow in Cronin, Henderson, Marshall, Madigan and Fitzgerald.

Marshall and Madigan in particular could really up the pace but the downside is that it will be Marshall's first cap and Madigan has only 10 mins experience to his name and some of that was at 9!

SuprSi

If I was ever less bothered about Italy breaking their duck against us, it's in this match. A narrow win with or without a crap performance is of absolutely no use to us here. We need to score multiple tries and play well, or we might as well let the Italians win so they don't break the duck when it actually matters

molloyjh

bilston wrote: »

Better use of the bench should see this remedied IMO. We have good impact on the pine tomorrow in Cronin, Henderson, Marshall, Madigan and Fitzgerald.

Marshall and Madigan in particular could really up the pace but the downside is that it will be Marshall's first cap and Madigan has only 10 mins experience to his name and some of that was at 9!

You're right of course, but a lot will depend on how the game goes. If it's tight Kidney will be loathed to change things because "the lads were going well and I felt they needed the chance to show what they can do". I can only see the bench being used if one side or the other have built a decent lead (injuries aside).

I think after last week too Kidney would prefer to hold replacements back in case we have another situation where players start dropping like flies. Which of course is somewhat self-fulfilling....

totallegend

Andea Lo Cicero has announced that this will be his 103rd and last appearance for Italy. Some achievement and maybe just the thing the Italians need to psyche themselves up, to give him him a good send-off.

Quint2010

Deleted User wrote: »

George Hook looking forward to it anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBPZVUL7u2E

My eyes! MY EYES!!!!

dtpc191991

Why is Archer in the Irish squad? Why has Joe Schmidt been so slow to promote Furlong surely he is the answer in the long term to our TH issue. Is Gilsenan worth looking at as a future 8 as we are short there as well?

.ak

dtpc191991 wrote: »

Why is Archer in the Irish squad? Why has Joe Schmidt been so slow to promote Furlong surely he is the answer in the long term to our TH issue. Is Gilsenan worth looking at as a future 8 as we are short there as well?

Props are like lamb's shoulders. Cook them too quickly, and they'll ruin your Sunday. Gotta be slow, and patient. Furlong's time will come, but if you start throwing him into senior games when he's not ready he'll begin to regress. Besides, Hagan and Bent are hardly finished articles, and both IQ, they deserve as much attention and time is still on all of their sides.

CIARAN_BOYLE

.ak wrote: »

Props are like lamb's shoulders. Cook them too quickly, and they'll ruin your Sunday. Gotta be slow, and patient. Furlong's time will come, but if you start throwing him into senior games when he's not ready he'll begin to regress. Besides, Hagan and Bent are hardly finished articles, and both IQ, they deserve as much attention and time is still on all of their sides.

don't forget Moore who I personally thing is the pick of the bunch