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

[Gibson]

First topic message reminder :

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.

[Cari]

Ah feck!

[eirebilly]

Great last ditched tackle but better from Ireland

[tatterd]

oh cari - your boy dropped it..............

[Gibson]

OK, thats better. More of that please 1F.

[rodders]

Flip Ferris was clean through! Great pass! Bowe should have held that!

A taste of things to come at Ulster next season?!

[WillyGilly]

Ah Tommy hold it!

[Cari]

oh cari - your boy dropped it..............

Every good man drops a bollock once in a while

[Cari]

Flip Ferris was clean through! Great pass! Bowe should have held that!

A taste of things to come at Ulster next season?!

Shurrup!

[eirebilly]

Great scrum Ireland

[rodders]

Great scrum, kick the 3 lads!

[Gibson]

Better scrum Thats it! Now, use this. Be patient. No fumbles.

Ok pen.

[Cari]

ooh I just made 10'000 posts!

[eirebilly]

oh cari - your boy dropped it..............

Every good man drops a bollock once in a while

Not the women though eh

[eirebilly]

Thats the major difference. Sexton kicks his and Botes doesnt.

[Cari]

I like the drunk you can hear in the background trying to get a rendition of Fields of Athenry started...

20 - 10. Come on - keep it up!

[Rava]

I think its Reddan time guys and gals.

[rodders]

Go on Jonny boy! Right time to score 30 pts now! Come on Ireland!

[Gibson]

Can we play in their half this period please?

[eirebilly]

Those chips are very good

[Gibson]

I think its Reddan time guys and gals.

I think he will come on at 60. DK had better leave JS on or I'll go ballistic.

Want to see some Leinster rugby soon. Bad kick JS. I jinxed him.

[rodders]

I think its Reddan time guys and gals.

Good shout Rav ....the problem is he and ROG come as a pair to balance the Munster/Leinster quota......

[eirebilly]

Taken in the air, good call from Joubert for only a penalty

[Cari]

Good take Blondie. Now come on Ireland....let's have yoooooou!

[Cari]

This is better...come oooon boys you can do it!

[Gibson]

Jeeebus Johnny. Good man Keef!

[Cari]

ooh lucky call for Ireland there.

[Rava]

Ah Rory, don't give those Munster/Leinster feicers any ammo.

[eirebilly]

I think its Reddan time guys and gals.

I think he will come on at 60. DK had better leave JS on or I'll go ballistic.

Want to see some Leinster rugby soon. Bad kick JS. I jinxed him.

Get ready to go ballistic then because Sexton will be off on 70mins.

[rodders]

Jeebus ruck ball far too slow. Waken up Murray lad!

Nice kick by Earls. Trimble needs to get involved more!

[Gibson]

YES. Now lets have ye Lads!

[Rava]

Good call Rave

[Cari]

Reddan on!

[Cowshot]

Ireland starting to look slick. Er well, mostly!

[Ozzy3213]

Could you imagine the damage that Parisse would do to teams if he played in one of the top sides!

[Cari]

Come on boys! They're going for touch. Woooop!

[Gibson]

Sexton better with Reddan. Makes sense to leave em both on.Lets see what pans out.

[rodders]

Good man Rava you should be coach sir!

[Cari]

Parisse not happy with the ref. Best doing a line out even though his nose has fallen off.

[Gibson]

Getting nothing in the air. Gooooooooooooo Rob!

[Cari]

Gwaaan Chilli!!!! oooh ooooh it's opening up now.

[rodders]

Kearney is in the form of his life!

[WillyGilly]

Great italian steal there.

[Rava]

Better, great break Reddan.

[Ozzy3213]

That's better rugby from Ireland, good half breaks from Kearney and Reddan.

Ireland so much better when playing a quick tempo.

[eirebilly]

Much better and quicker ball now

[rodders]

Fiver says ROG comes on before 62 min.......

[Glas a du]

From a low starting point though

[Cari]

Rodders - yeah he's partying like it's 2009 these days. Great to see after his injury.

Sexytoes going for pointage... 23 - 10.

[Rava]

That's it Oz. We need to keep the tempo up. Need quick ball and quick hands. The players are there with the skill.

[Gibson]

Good man JS. 100% Now you and Reddser get it going.

Good calls Deccie.

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