2015 6N, Round 1; Italy vs Ireland

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ITALY v IRELAND

Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
When: Saturday the 7th February 2015
Kick-off: 15.30 local time, 14.30 UK and Ireland

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Stuart Berry (SARU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

ITALY

15 Andrea Masi
14 Leonardo Sarto
13 Michele Campagnaro
12 Luca Morisi
11 Luke McLean
10 Kelly Haimona
9 Eduardo Gori

1 Matías Agüero
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Joshua Furno
5 George Biagi
6 Alessandro Zanni
7 Francesco Minto
8 Sergio Parisse (c)

16 Andrea Manici
17 Alberto de Marchi
18 Dario Chistolini
19 Marco Fuser
20 Marco Barbini
21 Guglielmo Palazzani
22 Tommaso Allan
23 Giovanbattista Venditti

IRELAND

15 Rob Kearney
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Jared Payne
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 Simon Zebo
10 Ian Keatley
9 Conor Murray

1 Jack McGrath
2 Rory Best
3 Mike Ross
4 Devin Toner
5 Paul O'Connell (c)
6 Peter O'Mahony
7 Sean O'Brien
8 Jordi Murphy

16 Sean Cronin
17 James Cronin
18 Martin Moore
19 Iain Henderson
20 Tommy O'Donnell
21 Isaac Boss
22 Ian Madigan
23 Felix Jones

I have said it before, I really hope that Payne grows into a good 13 but I really still see him only as a 15. Henshaw has put himself about but I have not seen a lot from Payne.

Ireland need some extra creativity, if Ireland don't score by 55-60min mark or go behind then I feel Madigan will have to come on for Keatley.

Ireland looking disjointed - clearly missing those 5 or 6 men who are out. This 10 looks handy, but he's no Sexton.

Paynes done ok. All he's been asked to do is to hit it up and present the ball. You'll see a better indication of his suitability for the role if it opens up in the second half. I think Payne has had more touches of the ball than Henshaw but both are really just taking contact out there.

The backs are not clicking at all - partly because the pack is being physically outmuscled, but also because of the inexperienced 10-12-13 axis. I hope if the Henshaw-Payne partnership continues that it will improve when Sexton comes into the frame.

Maybe you are right Notch but I simply do see Henshaw putting himself about a lot and Payne just seems to be missing. I hope you are right though because I do rate him as a player.

Notch wrote:Paynes done ok. All he's been asked to do is to hit it up and present the ball. You'll see a better indication of his suitability for the role if it opens up in the second half. I think Payne has had more touches of the ball than Henshaw but both are really just taking contact out there.

You would almost be better selecting D'Arcy to start at 12 if that were the case.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

Notch wrote:Paynes done ok. All he's been asked to do is to hit it up and present the ball. You'll see a better indication of his suitability for the role if it opens up in the second half. I think Payne has had more touches of the ball than Henshaw but both are really just taking contact out there.

You would almost be better selecting D'Arcy to start at 12 if that were the case.

I wouldn't.

Keatley nearly gives Campagnaro a gift there.

Just tuned in, thought Ireland would be in a much better position than this. Is that because Italy are playing well or Ireland playing poorly?

Much better from Payne from an excellent pass from Zebo. Ireland hasve to realise that the forwards wont win this match, the backs and some width will.

Centres are coming more into it.

Tough viewing, Ireland have been disappointing so far.

I sort of expected this with the back row we have out to be honest. We're noticeably slower to the ruck than we normally are and not quite ac accurate clearing men out.

Italy have a knack of making teams look poor to be fair. Sexton is such a loss but at least you get to blood other options

I can't stop yawning at the moment. What an awful advert for NH rugby. I've been so excited about this for far too long. I should've known better

On a positive Keatley has gone from a terrible start, put that behind him and continued to grow into the game. I just wish everyone else would do the same. Wrong decisions, no leadership, headless chickens........

That's a big call for the yellow card.

Finally the try...

And now we're set up extremely well for the last fifteen minutes. Italy have made well in excess of 100 tackles, does to 14 men and must chase the game.

And just like that Ireland bring on Madigan and Henderson and completely change the game plan.

Well Madigan has opened things up.

Try for Tommy........not Bowe

scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

Are Ireland traditionally slow starters?

nathan wrote:Are Ireland traditionally slow starters?

Nah. The ref is Garces pretending to be someone else.

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

Still not clearing out the breakdown well enough.

Boss simply does not instil any confidence in me as an International 9. Really poor decision making.

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

Aaaaaaand it's decended into the farcical again.....mainly due to the rain mind you.

On another note, my other half has decided she adores Luke McLean or John Snow as she now knows him. He has replaced BOD (the former target of her adoration) in a way I never expected.

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

In all honesty, neither England or Wales looked that great in their first games either. Took a long time for England to start playing well.

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

Last year we scored 3 tries against Italy in the last 10 minutes or so, 4 tries against Georgia in the last 10 minutes after only being a score ahead at half time... you make them make tackles so you can score more points.

It hasn't worked as well today, mainly because we have never been able to control the tempo of the game. They've made tackles but we haven't been able to really get them out on their feet. This back row being understrength has hurt us a lot. And we'll be lucky here to avoid a try.

Should that be a pen to Italy, shoulder barge from 21

That's a real shame, one of those moments I hate the TMO. Italy deserved a try there.

He "thinks he might have" touched it, says the TMO...but the law says the infringement must be "clear and obvious" to disallow a try. "Thinks he might" is not that...

nathan wrote:Should that be a pen to Italy, shoulder barge from 21

yes i think they missed that too. he aimed for parisse, and indeed succeeded in affecting his attempt to catch. marginal though but i thought it happened in realtime which is always a good indication for me of whether there was anything in it.

unfortunately the ref only asked the tmo about the knock-on.

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

The fixture list is against Ireland this year in terms of building up points. Scotland, Wales and Italy away and England and France at home. You couldn't expect to win big in any of those games.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

In all honesty, neither England or Wales looked that great in their first games either. Took a long time for England to start playing well.

keith wood just now - "schmidt will not be happy with that performance in any way shape or form"

Bomber was clearly very happy with the way england played.

No, I'm not happy either. But neither am I at all surprised or concerned. Just grateful we had Italy first up and allow us to get some guys back before the sterner challenges.

I can't say I'm really happy with the performance, but I'm more disappointed in Italy's performance than Ireland's. I really thought Italy would come out firing, and provide a tough test for Ireland. I expected the score to be much closer. Happy it isn't

After a nervy start from Keatley, I think he played well enough as he grew into the game, and should have his place on the bench, ahead of Madigan, against the French.

O'Gara demanding George Hook to pull down his pants

Just saw the highlights, although missed the match.

I am not being facetious in the slightest but people are only disappointed in the context of their expectations, so what was the problem with the way Ireland played tonight? What score was expected against Italy?

Munchkin wrote:I can't say I'm really happy with the performance, but I'm more disappointed in Italy's performance than Ireland's. I really thought Italy would come out firing, and provide a tough test for Ireland. I expected the score to be much closer. Happy it isn't

After a nervy start from Keatley, I think he played well enough as he grew into the game, and should have his place on the bench, ahead of Madigan, against the French.

To be fair that Italian team is a right reflection of the 2 Italians teams in the pro 12: going nowhere.

Jacques Brunel their coach said he wanted to experiment a bit this tournament. Is there a worse time to experiment than in a world cup year?

George Carlin wrote:Just saw the highlights, although missed the match.

I am not being facetious in the slightest but people are only disappointed in the context of their expectations, so what was the problem with the way Ireland played tonight? What score was expected against Italy?

I expected us to play better but win by less. I probably expected more from Italy who look stale. I'm happy enough with a 23-point winning margin and Healy, O'Brien, Heaslip and Sexton all set to come back into the team as the tournament goes on.

quinsforever wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

In all honesty, neither England or Wales looked that great in their first games either. Took a long time for England to start playing well.

keith wood just now - "schmidt will not be happy with that performance in any way shape or form"

Bomber was clearly very happy with the way england played.

To me that merely shows the difference between Schmidt and Lancaster. One may be happy enough with mediocre performances, but the other is known to be a perfectionist and will push the players for the best results.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

quinsforever wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

quinsforever wrote:

Notch wrote:

quinsforever wrote:scoreline looks convincing now. but the first 60 minutes before the yellow card wont have worried anyone else in the 6N.

I'm not sure it was meant to. Just make them make as many tackles as possible and attack in the last quarter, a very clear plan A and plan B. A different approach is clearly required for the other games and we will see that.

The disappointing thing about this game was the poor clearing of the rucks in that period, allowing Italy to disrupt us too much. And also the rain coming down just as we want to open up but we can't do anything about that!

given that ireland only scraped the win last year on points difference, i would have thought the approach against italy would be to get as many points as possible rather than make them makes many tackles as possible?

In all honesty, neither England or Wales looked that great in their first games either. Took a long time for England to start playing well.

keith wood just now - "schmidt will not be happy with that performance in any way shape or form"

Bomber was clearly very happy with the way england played.

To me that merely shows the difference between Schmidt and Lancaster. One may be happy enough with mediocre performances, but the other is known to be a perfectionist and will push the players for the best results.

maybe you were right, maybe england were mediocre. bit worrying for everyone else that a mediocre england were so dominant against a welsh side with 11 Lions then?

Don't bring us into your squabbles Quins!

England weren't exactly dominant, it was a very close game despite Wales playing well below par.

But anyway, silly argument, but neither England or Wales didn't exactly cite any fear for anyone either, and especially not for the SH sides.

Ireland werent exactly dominant, it was a very close game until the yc in the 65th minute.

quinsforever wrote:Ireland werent exactly dominant, it was a very close game until the yc in the 65th minute.

Did anyone claim they were? You are arguing with yourself.

you brought england into this discussion. not me.

you missed the irony in my statement, which was pretty similar to yours, except england played wales and ireland played the somewhat weaker italy.

some stats for you
ireland
metres gained 356
defenders beaten 17
carries 150
offloads 8
kicks from possession 34

england
metres gained 350
defenders beaten 21
carries 132
offloads 9
kicks from hand 32

i would be more than a bit worried about an untried england backline's ability to post stats like that against Wales at MS. especially if i were Australia