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]

*ignoring Billy*

Awh cheer up Billy! Ireland all the way. By 12....

[eirebilly]

Sorry Cari

[Cari]

No don't be sorry....just trying to stop you worrying. Have a brew like Gibbo....

Is that Botes kicking? Hopefully he'll be kicking like he did in Rome the other week...

[eirebilly]

Test for Botes....

[Gibson]

Ooooh lads. Discipline! Controlled aggression.

[eirebilly]

Having a beer to calm my nerves Cari


Another miss for Botes

[Cari]

Yes, no yellows now lads. Behave!

[rodders]

IIIIIIIIIRRRRRREEELLLAAAAAANNNNNNNDD!!!!!!

[Cari]

WAAAA...ooh wrong thread

Irish scrum.

[eirebilly]

Actually impressed with Irelands defence so far. Sexton is standing very deep though.

[Cari]

ooh bummer. Shame Chilli missed that.

[eirebilly]

That was a quick 'advantage over'. I do like a ref that calls it early, even if Ireland didnt really benefit.

[Cari]

Another Italian penalty....but don't worry Botes is kicking...

[eirebilly]

Not very good from Ireland

[eirebilly]

Botes kicks one...

[Cowshot]

Looking pretty even so far. Don't think you should underestimate the Italians.

[Cari]

OK so he got that. 0 - 3. Needed to really.

[Gibson]

Ooooh. Get them going JS. MON Ireland!

[eirebilly]

Silly frm Italy, wasted overlap

[Cari]

Oh no, Sexytoes has cut his head. Wait for ROG to come on...here he comes...

[Cari]

Couple of staples, and he'll be grand...

well that's the shortest substitute ever!

[rodders]

Surprise surprise our game plan is to...er...hmmm....actually we don't seem to have one other than to run about like headless chickens for 80 min.........

[Gibson]

Cowshot,

We cant afford to undrestimate anyone these days. Good start by Italy.

ROG on! Naahh.

[eirebilly]

That was comical

[Rava]

Helloooo

Go Johnny boy

[eirebilly]

Well that swerved

[Cari]

Despite his brains dripping out of his head, Sexytoes bravely takes a shot a goal...

3 - 3.

[Gibson]

Good. Give him confidence

[Cari]

Alright Rava! You took your time!

[rodders]

Sexton 100% with his kicking today! Sit down ROG son!!

[Gibson]

Good aft Rav bud. Well played lads. Well held up.

[eirebilly]

Great defence.

Cowshot, nobody underestimates Italy thats for sure. This match will be won between 50 and 70 minutes

[Cari]

I wonder if that will be one of ROG's Most Embarrassing Moments

Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

[Glas a du]

It comes to something when the most exciting thing to happen is holding up an Italian to claim the scrum

[eirebilly]

D'Arcy break

[Gibson]

Great break Dorce. Now lads use this.

[rodders]

Jeebus vintage D'arcy! Flash Gordon is Back!

[eirebilly]

Great call, the pressure was on

[Gibson]

Liking that. Good call POC.

[Cari]

Yes! go for the corner!

[rodders]

Good call catch and drive time!

[Rava]

I was lurking in the Pub waiting for some action.

[Cari]

Come on Ireland drive it home!

[valjester]

Jeebus vintage D'arcy! Flash Gordon is Back!

He loves playing Italy really.

[eirebilly]

EARLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cari]

oh sheeet! was that just short?!

[Rava]

[Gibson]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

[rodders]

Keith Earls take a bow son!

[valjester]

Get in! Yes

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