Scotland v Italy

Clegg · 02-02-2019 4:45pm

The Italian underage sides are getting better and Benneton are 2nd in their Pro 14 pool. It's not like Italian rugby is suffering at every level. But no matter what they do the test side seems incapable of improving. Yes they're missing Polledri and Minnozi, two excellent players but they won't close that gap alone. All over the park the Italians are deficient. They show nothing in attack, once Scotland go beyond a few phases Italy's defensive structure goes to pot.

ScrubsfanChris · 02-02-2019 4:45pm

Harry Palmr wrote: »

Has Italy developed at all since they joined the six nations?

They have, unfortunately all the other teams have improved at the same rate or better

Trampas · 02-02-2019 4:46pm

Must be hard when you’re playing the ref also

munsterlegend · 02-02-2019 4:47pm

Not sure what O Gara was thinking at half time saying Scotland would struggle to get the bonus point.

prawnsambo · 02-02-2019 4:48pm

Trampas wrote: »

Must be hard when you’re playing the ref also

The ref isn't opening gaps in the defense and waving Scottish players through them.

nice_guy80 · 02-02-2019 4:48pm

Refereeing is diabolical
Scottish player clearly didn't release there before clamping on the ball

razorblunt · 02-02-2019 4:49pm

Clegg wrote: »

The Italian underage sides are getting better and Benneton are 2nd in their Pro 14 pool. It's not like Italian rugby is suffering at every level. But no matter what they do the test side seems incapable of improving. Yes they're missing Polledri and Minnozi, two excellent players but they won't close that gap alone. All over the park the Italians are deficient. They show nothing in attack, once Scotland go beyond a few phases Italy's defensive structure goes to pot.

I’ve seen nothing from the centers to suggest they’re better than Campagnaro

lertsnim · 02-02-2019 4:50pm

Who's the Virgin Media main commentator for this game?

munsterlegend · 02-02-2019 4:51pm

Yes the ref has been poor. But in terms of lines of running and handling skills there is only one team out there.

razorblunt · 02-02-2019 4:52pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

The ref isn't opening gaps in the defense and waving Scottish players through them.

No but it’s not a level playing field and the pressure isn’t ever released on italy so inevitably they’ll make more mistakes.

Kerr and Toolis wrecked that maul.
Ritchie kills the ball straight after. Either should have been yellow.

Ritchie hasn’t clear released all half. 2 in 2 minutes now

conor678 · 02-02-2019 4:53pm

Tough game to watch. Italy have been very poor and clueless when they get after 2 phases. Ref has been poor but Italy more so.

On a side note I find the Scottish crowd and players really hard to warm to. Very pantomime type crowd and I do not like the persistent cheating if the Scots and pure innocence they proclaim.

razorblunt · 02-02-2019 4:54pm

Sarcastic clap.
10 mins left and Scotland get a yellow

prawnsambo · 02-02-2019 4:54pm

razorblunt wrote: »

No but it’s not a level playing field and the pressure isn’t ever released on italy so inevitably they’ll make more mistakes.

Kerr and Toolis wrecked that maul.
Ritchie kills the ball straight after. Either should have been yellow.

Ritchie hasn’t clear released all half. 2 in 2 minutes now

Well they've just got pinged for it and now have a man in the bin.

Mushy · 02-02-2019 4:55pm

Thought for a second he wasn't giving a card there.

munsterlegend · 02-02-2019 4:56pm

Points difference could be important so another try for Italy would do nicely.

razorblunt · 02-02-2019 4:57pm

McKinley got him anyway &#55357;&#56490;

vienne86 · 02-02-2019 4:58pm

Lovely try!

munsterlegend · 02-02-2019 4:58pm

Is this commentator nuts as if Italy could come back?

Gidea · 02-02-2019 4:58pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

Well they've just got pinged for it and now have a man in the bin.

A little late tho, felt like the deliberate knock-on in the first half when Italy had an overlap was worth one.

Burkie1203 · 02-02-2019 4:59pm

Is it just me or does Flaky Finn look like he has been eating out with Zebo too much

Harry Palmr · 02-02-2019 4:59pm

Well they've improved since I started watching this match!

ClanofLams · 02-02-2019 4:59pm

Shane Byrne is good on co commentary. Main commentator ‘have we seen the start of a remarkable comeback’ Byrne starts laughing and says something alone the lines of they have a bit to go yet.