Ireland v Italy @ Lansdowne Road. Feb 25th 2012. Match Thread.

[Gibson]

Ireland v Italy. Squad formations, review, lineups etc.

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/7991.php?section=formation&fixid=153755

Click on the numbers for individual players info, within the separate team formations.

Will Ireland let loose? Can we really play an open, running game against the Italians and show who we really are? Instead of the usual 6-N slug-fest we normally allow ourselves to get embroiled in with them? We managed to avoid it at the RWC. We dispatched them clinically. Last year, in the 6-N in Rome, ROG got us out of jail, seconds from the end. As is his wont. That cannot be allowed happen again.

The Italians are trying to open their game too. A brave game v England just missed the spot. 12-6 up at HT, England were there for the taking. But for a few mis-handling errors and the lack of a decent place-kicker, they surely should have won. Thus coming into this game with 2 Championship points to our zero. New England were let off the hook in Rome. No argument there between knowlegable rugby fans. They are not the same Italy that played us in the last RWC. They are striving to run the ball and attack more now.

Its not all about total dependency on their known pack strength anymore. This metamorphosis, is hurting them in the interim. They are in the middle of transforming from a forward-dominated to an attacking side, under Brunel. They just need to find a balance between the two. And unearth a solid place-kicker. Great to see the effort. I hope they persist with it. They have to. They remind me of France in the early 5-N days. They will come. It is in Italian blood to show flair and individuality. So, we will have to be on our guard and not just concentrate on beating them up front. Parisse is vital for them. He has to be watched on the fringes or they will cause us damage.

What to say on Ireland? We are twixt and between limbo and a hard-place. No defined pattern is evolving under Kidney. Earls carries the weight of replacing BOD on his shoulders. No one should have to deal with that. No one in World rugby could. So let the lad show his stuff and dont compare. Let him be. He is a great individual talent. But, it remains to be seen if he can be a top-class 13 at this level. Dont know about Darcy even being in the 22. But Deccie is obviously combining experience with youth for this one. Want to see McFadden and Earls long before the end of this game. Its the partnership I want to see work. Has Kidney learned to use the bench effectively yet? Havent seen it up till now. It's a major weakness with him. Its a 22 man game now. He needs to be proactive and not reactive. I.E. Don't make changes in the last 2 minutes. Less said about that, the better really.

Sexton needs to man-up now. This, is the game to show it in. His partnership with Murray, is the one Im backing on for the future. He needs to unlock Italy. Needs to take 90% of his place-kicks, as he does for Leinster and control the Show.

Kearney is on fire. No worries about him. Trimble & Bowe are replaceable. They need to put in really big shifts to hold their places. In my opinion.

O Connell is back to his firey best. DOC? I dunno. Id rather Ryan started.

As for our backrow. Dont get me started. Id drop Heaslip to the bench, move SOB to 8 and start POM at 7. Ferris, as long as he can stand, is the best 6 we have.

Our frontrow, is chisled in stone. The magnificent Best, is basically, our best and most influential player of late. I think he should be our future Captain. But, I dont want to start a row over it. Yet. Ross is key as always. And Healy is improving over time. Getting more gnarly with age. No Castro for this one. So a break there.

Bottom-line, for me, is a fluid performance. A game plan the squad understand, buy in to and readily execute. If that does not happen... We need to have a word Declan. I expect a 20pt spread and a performance to show it has all been a bad dream for the last 3 years.

Anyway. Carry on. Behave. And Believe.

[eirebilly]

Morning Gibbo. Looking very much forward to the match today. Hopefully Ireland can turn on the style.

[Glas a du]

BOD and Shane. Wales I thought would hit a two year barren patch, but haven't. It was because Shane took the pressure off them by actually retiring.

You are our rivals now. We need you to be strong to spur us on. DROP KIDNEY.

[rodders]

We need to hammer Italy. Nothing else is acceptable. Italy have gone backwards from last season and we need to put 40-50 pts on them to put ourselves back in the mix if the competition comes down to points difference.

A scrappy win here and our tournament is as good as over.

Harsh maybe but Wales, France and England are pulling away from us and Scotland are breathing down our necks. We've been chasing our tails for 3 seasons and its time to raise the bar again and get Irish rugby back on track.

[munster-abu]

can someone please send me a l i n k when the game starts. really want to see this game (well every game i want to see). thanks

[Hound_of_Harrow]

Gibbo, how have Italy got two tournament points? There's no bonus points in the 6N.

[Biltong]

Ireland should do rather well in this game, they must use it as a practice run for their backs, trying some options out wide even if there are some errors, I don't think Itlay has enough to take them.

[Ozzy3213]

This is actually a massive game for Ireland. Having lost to Wales, they have to win and win well to have any confidence going to Paris next week.

[eirebilly]

Jaysus, i thought that i was going mental there for a second. I could'nt find the matchday thread that Gibbo had made....

Damn sneaky mods slipping this into the sticky section

[Tommy David lookalike]

C'mon Ireland! Italia Avanti! Good luck, I think this one may be a try fest.

[eirebilly]

I also hope that its a try fest, but for Ireland

[Notch]

We won't put 4-50 points on them rodders, no chance. I hope we can win well though

[eirebilly]

If Ireland play well then they can realistically have a 20 point winning margin,,, no?

[munster-abu]

thanks eirebilly, your a legend, enjoy the game. eire abu

[Notch]

Yeah, I'd say so billy.

I meant 40 to 50. Not 4

[eirebilly]

No probs munster, enjoy

I kind of figured that Notch

[Gibson]

Good aft all. Nice day for it.

[eirebilly]

Jeez, you would think that England v Wales would be first up today going by the Beeb's coverage.

[eirebilly]

Afternoon Gibbo, I raise you a for a

[Gibson]

Gibbo, how have Italy got two tournament points? There's no bonus points in the 6N.

Hound. They havent. I said they should have had. Bit of pre-game hype.

[Gibson]

No drink for me vaandag Billy. Coffee and tae all the way.

Its going to be a long one. Leinster play later.

[Cari]

Afternoon All.

I LOVE this afternoon!!!!

One bummer: 60 seconds into the Ireland/Italy coverage and Inverdale mentions Wilko man needs to get over him...

[eirebilly]

Well i will take a pint for you Gibbo.

Cari, the man is obsessed with JW.

[Gibson]

thanks eirebilly, your a legend, enjoy the game. eire abu

Hey Munster Abu mo chara! Long time fo see/hear bud. Still in Oz?

Great to hear from you again man.

[eirebilly]

'That Tip tackle'..... horrible commentary.

[Gibson]

Afternoon All.

I LOVE this afternoon!!!!

One bummer: 60 seconds into the Ireland/Italy coverage and Inverdale mentions Wilko man needs to get over him...

G'day Cari. All set for today pal?

Gorgeous day in old Dubh Linn. Perfect weather for running rugby...

Castro. Great dude. Give Woody some hair man.

[Cari]

Cari, the man is obsessed with JW.

Some may say the same about myself with Tommy...but at least Tommy's not retired!

[Cari]

Howya Gibbo

I'm all set, but the nerves will kick in after this. I hope this is a corker though, and Tommy makes his record...which he will. I can feel it in me uterus.

[eirebilly]

She has said it again..... Simply poor commentary from Gaby Logan

[eirebilly]

You can feel it in your Uterus? Cari

[Cari]

Blimey! Fez has got arms like tree trunks!

[Gibson]

The BEEB are getting as bad as ITV & SKY. Dont they read the papers? Or their own news? Really annoying. Shoddy.

Mon 1F! Let's be having you today.

[Cari]

I wore my Ireland shirt to work yesterday. I'm hoping that was a good omen...

Nice to see Castro on the telly. Are there no barbers in Italy then, mate...?

[eirebilly]

To be fair Gibbo, its just that useless Gaby Logan.
I really cant stand her

[Cari]

I don't mind her Billy. I'd love her job though!

Sexytoes means business, he's not wearing his jacket. Grr!

Woooo nommy Tommy!

[Cari]

Is Botes starting? He had a shocker against England.

[Notch]

He wouldn't know Cari, he lives in Leicester!

Here's a stat that occurs; Italy and Argentina are the only two major rugby nations who haven't won in Dublin since Declan Kidney took charge.

[Gibson]

There's de Pres. Clever geezer.

[Cari]

Notch - ha that's true...doesn't sound Leicester yet though, m'dook.

[eirebilly]

I just cant help but think of Bilbo Baggins when i see him though Gibbo

[Gibson]

So what do we reckon folks? At them from the off? Need a good start.

Could do with some Italians on here for balance.

[eirebilly]

I cant stand her Cari, she really asks dumb questions and comes out with ridiculous statements.

[eirebilly]

At them from the off Gibbo, only way i feel.

[Cari]

There's de Pres. Clever geezer.

Spitting image of one of the muppets too. Is he Munster man? Chatted to them a bit more...

Awh Lukey Loverug! Looking all grown up with your clothes on...

[eirebilly]

I tell you what, for a rough looking fella, that Castro comes across as a very intelligent man.

[Gibson]

Love that National Anthem.

[Gibson]

Ooooooooooooh. More tae. What a stunning day!

[Cari]

Beautiful day in Dublin. Players will get tans now.

Unlike Castro...Tommy's had a haircut.

[eirebilly]

Oh great, Andrew Cotter. Who is that guy?

[eirebilly]

I think that nerves have made me miserable..... Ignore me

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