Match preview and thread: IRE v ITA (Sat 10th Feb 14:15) TV3, ITV & FR2

prawnsambo

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Rob Kearney|15|Matteo Minozzi
Keith Earls|14|Tommaso Benvenuti
Robbie Henshaw|13|Tommaso Boni
Bundee Aki|12|Tommaso Castello
Jacob Stockdale|11|Mattia Bellini
Jonathan Sexton|10|Tommaso Allan
Conor Murray|9|Marcello Violi
Jack McGrath|1|Nicola Quaglio
Rory Best|2|Luca Bigi
Tadhg Furlong|3|Simone Ferrari
Iain Henderson|4|Alessandro Zanni
Devin Toner|5|Dean Budd
Peter O'Mahony|6|Sebastian Negri
Dan Leavy|7|Braam Steyn
Jack Conan|8|Sergio Parisse
{colsp=3}Replacements||
Sean Cronin|16|Leonardo Ghiraldini
Cian Healy|17|Andrea Lovotti
Andrew Porter|18|Tizano Pasquali
Quinn Roux|19|Federico Ruzza
CJ Stander|20|Maxime Mbanda
Kieran Marmion|21|Edoardo Gori
Joey Carbery|22|Carlo Canna
Jordan Larmour|23|Jayden Hayward

So the hype train is in the station and patiently waiting for the station master's whistle. It's been one of the fastest rises in Irish rugby history, reminiscent of the coming of BOD. Yes folks, Andrew Porter will likely see time off the bench on Saturday to make his six nations debut. Meanwhile at the other platform, another less heralded under-hyped international debut for Jordan Larmour is also possible. Having been compared to Christian Cullen and with the ability to step off either foot at pace and bamboozle defenders, young Larmour has had a meteoric rise from being an under 20 international just this time last year to a fully formed professional rugby player in the space of just four months. Nobody's betting against him getting his first international cap on Saturday to replace either Rob Kearney or the ageing Jacob Stockdale.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqjetoF55NE

Also getting his first six nations start is Mr. Faceplant himself; Jack Conan. A pacy number eight with the ability to offload and cover breaks, Conan has been waiting for his chance for what must seem to him like decades. Injury to Jamie Heaslip has seen him step up to fill the gap at Leinster and a massively attritional day in the trenches in Paris for CJ STander has given the twenty-five year old his opportunity to showcase his wares at the Aviva. A typical barnstorming run on Saturday will give Joe Schmidt a welcome headache in what is becoming a much depleted back row division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-3uuQhBIbs

But back to the bench and the emergence of Andrew Porter. A tight head prop in the mould of the veteran Tadhg Furlong; now in the twilight of the beginning of his career, Porter can run like a gazelle, fend like a bull elephant and scrummage like a landslide. Some say that as a baby, he could leap from his cot and push it into his parent's bedroom demanding to be fed. Whatever about his formative years, he has, like his ageing predecessor, leapt into the professional ranks fully formed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YKCqdYHeus

The rest of the squad are what are left after the heroics in Paris. Cian Healy and Jack McGrath continue with their musical chairs and James Ryan retires to nurse his aching groin, to be replaced by big Dev Toner. On the bench, Quinn Roux fills in for the absence of Ryan and Joey Carbery, who spent a frustrating week practicing drop kicks from the halfway mark eagerly awaits his first appearance in this year's six nations when the demigod - Jonny Sexton, is dragged kicking and screaming from the pitch. Dan Leavy, who replaced the unfortunately injured Josh 'chops' Van der Flier, continues work on his new book: "Rugby and DIY facial reconstruction".

And what of Italy? Conor O'Shea seems intent on winding up his opposition by lavishing paraise on everyone from Joe Schmidt to Ethel the tea lady (on loan from Ulster). In a continuation of his mind games from last year that bamboozled Eddie Jones and the rest of the England brains trust, O'Shea has cleverly selected four Tommaso's in the backs to confuse the Irish defence. The man has no depths he can't plumb to get every advantage for his team. Expect much confusion in the Irish midfield as Violi calls 'Tommaso' at every attacking ruck.

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

As with all games against Italy, we will be anticipating tries scored from every direction, only to be disappointed to realise that they intend to put up a fight. If Ireland don't start at a fast pace and get some scores on the board, it could be trench warfare until the second half, when the bench escape and wreak havoc on a tiring Italian defence.

The bookies aren't sure whether it's Ireland by 34 or 36, so we'll go with that.

thomond2006

Buer

It appears the Porter/Conan videos are in the wrong order.

Shambolic stuff.

prawnsambo

Buer wrote: »

It appears the Porter/Conan videos are in the wrong order.

Shambolic stuff.

Happy now?

pickarooney

I've had enough of the very limited Ethel, safe hands or not. It's time Doris got a run out.

Buer

prawnsambo wrote: »

Happy now?

My rage has been assuaged.

pickarooney

Buer wrote: »

My rage has been assuaged.

This would fit nicely as an opener to an extra verse of 'I am the Resurrection'

molloyjh

I want to see us run up a big score on these guys. Boni absolutely must be targeted. Having Aki and Henshaw running at him, as well as getting our wingers in off their wings attacking him, should pay dividends. Having the likes of Leavy and Conan in there too looking to carry up the middle and find support runners should see plenty of gain line successes. The first 20 mins they'll be well up for it, but we really need to aim to be pulling away at that point. England gave them a few entries into the game by dropping off at times. We shouldn't allow that. 3 or 4 tries in the first half while keeping them contained should do the job. Get 1 in the first few mins after half time and unleash the bench. There's another 3 or 4 tries in that bench if they get 30 mins. Unless the weather is crap we should be looking at at least 7 tries IMO. The last 2 times out against them we've hit in and around the 60 mark. That needs to be the standard.

prawnsambo

molloyjh wrote: »

I want to see us run up a big score on these guys. Boni absolutely must be targeted. Having Aki and Henshaw running at him, as well as getting our wingers in off their wings attacking him, should pay dividends. Having the likes of Leavy and Conan in there too looking to carry up the middle and find support runners should see plenty of gain line successes. The first 20 mins they'll be well up for it, but we really need to aim to be pulling away at that point. England gave them a few entries into the game by dropping off at times. We shouldn't allow that. 3 or 4 tries in the first half while keeping them contained should do the job. Get 1 in the first few mins after half time and unleash the bench. There's another 3 or 4 tries in that bench if they get 30 mins. Unless the weather is crap we should be looking at at least 7 tries IMO. The last 2 times out against them we've hit in and around the 60 mark. That needs to be the standard.

We actually started very quickly against France. We were at their 22 in about sixty seconds from the kickoff and then they gave away a penalty which Nigel blew up advantage on very quickly. So we took the points and were back in striking distance about five minutes later. If we take a similar approach against Italy, we should be getting points early.

wp_rathead

Really like Bellini
With Sarto and Esposito both injured thought they'd struggle out wide but he looks good
Also I've bit of a man crush on Dean Budd, really good player for Treviso

I still fancy us to stuff'em

Quint2010

I'm worried about this game. Italy weren't that bad against England, tricky conditions forecast, and I'm sure Mr. O Shea has a few cards up his sleeve...

Former Former

Stockdale - 3 caps
Aki - 3
Conan - 5
Porter -3
Roux - 3
Leavy - 5
Carbery - 6
Larmour - 0

Is this the least experienced 23 we've ever fielded in the Six Nations?

molloyjh

Former Former wrote: »

Stockdale - 3 caps
Aki - 3
Conan - 5
Porter -3
Roux - 3
Leavy - 5
Carbery - 6
Larmour - 0

Is this the least experienced 23 we've ever fielded in the Six Nations?

Quite probably. It's a pretty exciting selection so hopefully it shows up well.

aloooof

It's a stat I'm sure plenty of ye will have heard but, of Carbery's 6 caps, he's beaten South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

randomname2005

aloooof wrote: »

It's a stat I'm sure plenty of ye will have heard but, of Carbery's 6 caps, he's beaten South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

He should probably just retire from international rugby with that success rate.

phog

Happy with that team though still have a concern for our cover for scrumhalf. Murray simply can't play 80 mins of all the 6Ns game.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

Happy with that team though still have a concern for our cover for scrumhalf. Murray simply can't play 80 mins of all the 6Ns game.

Part of the reason for concern is because Murray is so bloody good it would be mad to take him off in a crunch game. If he plays more than 60 tomorrow I will be shocked.

Even if the difference between Murray and the backups is a chasm, it doesn't necessarily mean the backups are poor players.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

Part of the reason for concern is because Murray is so bloody good it would be mad to take him off in a crunch game. If he plays more than 60 tomorrow I will be shocked.

Even if the difference between Murray and the backups is a chasm, it doesn't necessarily mean the backups are poor players.

McGrath was on the bench last week and doesn't get a look in this week - just seems like there's a huge lack of faith in them.

or

Was Marmion injured last week or is McGrath injured this week?

sydthebeat

phog wrote: »

Happy with that team though still have a concern for our cover for scrumhalf. Murray simply can't play 80 mins of all the 6Ns game.

we beat england last year without him.

I wouldnt be that worried about our scrum half cover as i think Luke McGrath has improved immensely in the last 18 months to being a valid alternative to Marmion.

Murray is still way out in front, but we've already proven we can still perform without him.

prawnsambo

phog wrote: »

McGrath was on the bench last week and doesn't get a look in this week - just seems like there's a huge lack of faith in them.

or

Was Marmion injured last week or is McGrath injured this week?

No McGrath is on the bench for Leinster. If the scoreboard had opened up a bit, I reckon the half backs would have been changed, but the game being in the balance would have necessitated keeping the generals on the field of battle.

Be a brave* coach to take Sexton and Murray off in that game.



*Brave being foolhardy in this instance.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

McGrath was on the bench last week and doesn't get a look in this week - just seems like there's a huge lack of faith in them.

or

Was Marmion injured last week or is McGrath injured this week?

It's one way of spinning it.
The other way is: Marmion/McGrath are not that bad a player but Murray is top class.

I don't like to name drop the Lions but Murray played all bar 24 minutes between the three tests. We know Rhys Webb is a top class 9 but again Murray is that good.

phog

phog wrote: »

McGrath was on the bench last week and doesn't get a look in this week - just seems like there's a huge lack of faith in them.

or

Was Marmion injured last week or is McGrath injured this week?

It's entirely possible that Marmion is getting 'the Italy game' and McGrath will bench the remainder of the tournament, who knows.

Last week never got out of being in the balance and we needed our most experienced halves to close it out especially when we went behind on 70.

Buer

phog wrote: »

McGrath was on the bench last week and doesn't get a look in this week - just seems like there's a huge lack of faith in them.

It's a one score game in the opening match of the 6N and the incumbent is the best wet weather scrum half in the world. I would be questioning the coaches if they had taken Murray off in those circumstances. I'm not sure we'd have won if it was Luke McGrath making that pass for the drop goal and that's no criticism of McGrath. It simply highlights how good Murray is.

elefant

Buer wrote: »

My rage has been assuaged.

pickarooney wrote: »

This would fit nicely as an opener to an extra verse of 'I am the Resurrection'

Underrated comment.

prawnsambo

Apparently Jordan Larmour is one of the kids in the guard of honour for Leinster in a match in 2009 against Edinburgh. Can't pick him out from this photo, anyone else want to hazard a guess?

mfceiling

Former Former wrote: »

Stockdale - 3 caps
Aki - 3
Conan - 5
Porter -3
Roux - 3
Leavy - 5
Carbery - 6
Larmour - 0

Is this the least experienced 23 we've ever fielded in the Six Nations?

Typical conservative Joe wouldn't give the young players a shot.

Squidgy Black

prawnsambo wrote: »

Apparently Jordan Larmour is one of the kids in the guard of honour for Leinster in a match in 2009 against Edinburgh. Can't pick him out from this photo, anyone else want to hazard a guess?

Second from the left maybe?

stephen_n

prawnsambo wrote: »

Apparently Jordan Larmour is one of the kids in the guard of honour for Leinster in a match in 2009 against Edinburgh. Can't pick him out from this photo, anyone else want to hazard a guess?

I would imagine he's second from the left, but it's very hard to tell. Mad to think he is now playing alongside Healy.

D14Rugby

prawnsambo wrote: »

Apparently Jordan Larmour is one of the kids in the guard of honour for Leinster in a match in 2009 against Edinburgh. Can't pick him out from this photo, anyone else want to hazard a guess?

He's the kid second from the left

kuang1

Between the 1st and 3rd guys on the left methinks.

Ben Betts.

connemara man

If you look really close you can see the halo above his head and everything

molloyjh

All I can see in that photo is my dad!

prawnsambo

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Second from the left maybe?

stephen_n wrote: »

I would imagine he's second from the left, but it's very hard to tell. Mad to think he is now playing alongside Healy.

D14Rugby wrote: »

He's the kid second from the left

kuang1 wrote: »

Between the 1st and 3rd guys on the left methinks.

Ben Betts.

Yeah. According to The Indo, that's him with the flag, second from the left in front of molloyjh's dad. .

Yeah_Right

molloyjh wrote: »

All I can see in that photo is my dad!

Cian Healy is your dad???

Buer

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Cian Healy is your dad???

Don't be silly. Cian Healy was only a pup in that photo.

Molloy's dad is Chris Whitaker.

Neil3030

prawnsambo wrote: »

Apparently Jordan Larmour is one of the kids in the guard of honour for Leinster in a match in 2009 against Edinburgh. Can't pick him out from this photo, anyone else want to hazard a guess?

Not sure which kid is Larmour but Healy has his game face on for sure:

"Must knock on, must get yellow card"

prawnsambo

The 42 live is well worth a watch. People were talking about Darren Cave on the Left Wing, but Stephen Ferris is brilliant on this. Hilarious stuff and some really great iinsights into Irish and Ulster rugby. Also Murray Kinsella of course.

Buer

prawnsambo wrote: »

Stephen Ferris is brilliant on this. Hilarious stuff and some really great iinsights into Irish and Ulster rugby..

Having watched Fez multiple times on BBC now....

sydthebeat

prawnsambo wrote: »

The 42 live is well worth a watch. People were talking about Darren Cave on the Left Wing, but Stephen Ferris is brilliant on this. Hilarious stuff and some really great iinsights into Irish and Ulster rugby. Also Murray Kinsella of course.

yeah it was a good piece... interesting comments on deysel.

prawnsambo

Buer wrote: »

Having watched Fez multiple times on BBC now....

I'd have said the same until I saw this. Clearly he's a bit constrained on the BBC.

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

yeah it was a good piece... interesting comments on deysel.

What did he say?

sydthebeat

Raylan Proud Peppermint wrote: »

What did he say?

basically questioned why ulster were buying in players not deemed good enough for munster.... and not good enough for ulster as shown by his omission from the squad this evening.

prawnsambo

sydthebeat wrote: »

basically questioned why ulster were buying in players not deemed good enough for munster.... and not good enough for ulster as shown by his omission from the squad this evening.

Yeah. This is what I meant when I said he was a lot less constrained than when he's on the BBC. Also interesting on pretty much any subject he spoke on: Declan Kidney, Paul O'Connell, Joe Schmidt, Les Kiss, Logan (listen up awec ) and finally Donnacha O'Callaghan banging his head against lockers.

No more sleeps no more sleeps

ixus

Heavy rain and strong wind alert from MT Cranium in weather section. Good thing they got practice in last weekend!

Neil3030

Off to bed, hopefully the alarm works and I don't miss this!

Jack Kanoff

We need a good win here...bonus point...big performance from Larmour would be nice, no major injuries and maybe carberry ontge field at the same time as sexton to see if they gel and can interchange

prawnsambo

ixus wrote: »

Heavy rain and strong wind alert from MT Cranium in weather section. Good thing they got practice in last weekend!

Rain is due to clear this morning and to be dry and bright with more rain coming from the west in the late afternoon. So that looks like it'll be dry and windy for the game.

molloyjh

prawnsambo wrote: »

ixus wrote: »

Heavy rain and strong wind alert from MT Cranium in weather section. Good thing they got practice in last weekend!

Rain is due to clear this morning and to be dry and bright with more rain coming from the west in the late afternoon. So that looks like it'll be dry and windy for the game.

Ball in hand so....

stephen_n

Currently dry and sunny in the city center but windy. If it stays like this it would be good for running rugby.

PTH2009

About to hit the road

Hopefully a good game and big Irish win

Hopefully Larmour comes on and scores cause we will be in melt down on here if he plays crap