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]

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

I'm going for 75th minute and a DG to win it

[eirebilly]

Ireland will score two more try's

[rodders]

1st cap for O'Mahony? Go on lad show them what you can do!

[Gibson]

Its all changing now. Mon ta feic!

[Gibson]

Patience!

[Rava]

Did you see Rory's off load there!

[eirebilly]

Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gibson]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Reddan and Sexton must start next week. POM too.

[Biltong]

Ireland is looking good in this game.

this will be a 20 point lead, I think that was my Sportsguru prediction.

[Rava]

[Cari]

OH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!

Sorry Gibbo, Tommy has just taken over Shaggy as Ireland's 3rd all time top try scorer

[Dave.]

Ladies of Ulster in meltdown.

[rodders]

Lovely pass by Sexton! Hes on song today!

Great stuff from Ferris and quick ball from Reddan!

[WillyGilly]

Send it wide and boom! Ferris you mountain.

[Notch]

That'll do Tommy. That'll do

[Ozzy3213]

I refer you all to my earlier comment...

I've been watching for about the last 10 minutes and I think Ireland will win this by a substantial margin.

My money is now on a 30+ winning point margin at the end.

[Golden]

The difference with Reddan is remarkable.

This is the team that should start next week. Maybe O'Brien at 7

[Shifty]

Well done Ireland, smash Italys confidence before Wales play them in Cardiff next time.

[Cowshot]

Illegal try. Three subs in the end zone = 18 players on the pitch!

C'mon now!

[Gibson]

Getting into a flow now. Still 100% for JS.

Now Ireland, put em to the sword. NO mercy!

[Rava]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Reddan and Sexton must start next week. POM too.

Gibbo lets see what POM can do in the 18 minutes that are left before that decision is made

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

The difference with Reddan is remarkable.

This is the team that should start next week. Maybe O'Brien at 7

The difference is night and day. I thought Murray actually did ok, but he is too slow at getting the ball away and he doesn't have the physicality of Phillips to make up for it. O'Brien was virtually anonymous today.

[Shifty]

Illegal try. Three subs in the end zone = 18 players on the pitch!

C'mon now!

Ah Tommy Bowe passing on Ospreys training secrets to Ireland...

Lets hope your better at avoiding fines than they were!

[Cari]

Well my SG pick was stingy...Ireland by 12?!

[eirebilly]

Great from Italy

[rodders]

Feic Ferris hurt his knee!

[Gibson]

The difference with Reddan is remarkable.

This is the team that should start next week. Maybe O'Brien at 7

I think we need to bench SOB and start POM at 7.

[WillyGilly]

Ferris is down. Please be okay.

[Gibson]

I wanted 20 pts spread min. Now, I want more. No slacking lads.

[rodders]

Come on lads! Big 15 minutes here now! Lets turn the screw!

[eirebilly]

POC is looking for a yellow card....

[rodders]

Mike Ross is well out of sorts...looks out on his feet.....

[Shifty]

Does anyone else get confused between the Italian and Irish players?

the Blue and Green doesnt quite contrast enough for me, unless it's my eye sight.

[Gibson]

Jeezzuz why do we back off after scoring? Its a mental thang with us.

MON!

[WillyGilly]

Trimble saved us there.

[Gibson]

Fergus M on. Good move.

[Rava]

I have Ireland by 23.

[rodders]

Jeebus Sexton is inspired today, great kick.

[Gibson]

Kearney, McFadden Sexton, Reddan, Darcy. Looking familiar.

[Rava]

Does anyone else get confused between the Italian and Irish players?

the Blue and Green doesnt quite contrast enough for me, unless it's my eye sight.

Colour TV is a great invention Alyn, you should try that.

[Cowshot]

Darcy has had a much better game today.

[eirebilly]

That went backwards..............

D'Arcy has actually had a very good game.

[Glas a du]

Which part of 'back feet' does Joubert not understand? POC miles offside.

[eirebilly]

Sexton off on 70mins Gibbo....

[WillyGilly]

That went backwards..............

D'Arcy has actually had a very good game.

Shhhhh don't jinx it.

[Cari]

Who's Ferus Mugfadden? Someone been on the booze...

ROG on!

[rodders]

McFadden on. I thought Earls was poor enough bar his try and a good kick.

Bowe in the centre....interesting......

[Gibson]

Looks like he's taking JS off. Dunno why. Game time for ROG?

[Golden]

What is the point of ROG coming on?

Sextons playing well and has 100% from his kicks.

Has Kidney ever given sexton the 80 mins?

[Cari]

Does anyone else get confused between the Italian and Irish players?

the Blue and Green doesnt quite contrast enough for me, unless it's my eye sight.

Colour TV is a great invention Alyn, you should try that.

That reminds me of 2009 when my old telly broke down. I tried to watch one match in the 6 nations on it, the pitch was blue and the players pink and green!

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