How strong are Italy going to be this year...?

Italy took the French scalp and almost the Irish last year. Their representatives in the Rabbo Pro 12 have proved competitive if not successful and in the Heineken Treviso took Biarritz and almost Saracens and the Ospreys.

All at home in Italy. On the road Italy's sides are not the confident performers they are at home.

New coach and some good young players entering the fray too. Could this be the year where they win both their home matches? both England and Scotland struggled on their last visits to Rome as most teams do these days, Scotland losing and England winning by a Wilkinson Drop goal in the last ten minutes.

Sadly we can only choose one option.

Italy to win their two home games over england and Scotland, to be well beaten in dublin and paris and to give Wales a real fright for 60 minutes or so.

They would be targetting England and Scotland at home. Their away games can be a lottery, depending on Refs and the bounce of the ball sometimes. With Brunel in charge they will be very structured but he might know the players a little better and will give them a bounce for his first few games in charge...

I suspect it won't be a great year for Italy. Their coach has suggested that he will be using this season to test the water. He says he wants Italy to be a team capable of beating the others and their fate not being decided before the match. He admitted that probably wont be this season though.

LondonTiger wrote:Sadly we can only choose one option.

Italy to win their two home games over england and Scotland, to be well beaten in dublin and paris and to give Wales a real fright for 60 minutes or so.

You can select as many options as you wish.

Do they have a fly half this year?

I expect them to make it tough for England and Scotland at home but not really expecting them to do much on their travels. Hard to know how its going to go with their new coaching set up.

Where's the option for none?

Judging by the poll they could be 6 nations favourites although a slam may be a push

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Do they have a fly half this year?

I think they have a player who is qualified called Burton, he playes for Treviso and is actually quite a good player.

LordDowlais wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Do they have a fly half this year?

I think they have a player who is qualified called Burton, he playes for Treviso and is actually quite a good player.

So hes number one now? Is the drunk Aussie totally gone?
I dont really remeber Burton being up to much last year. Obviously theres the theory that playing in the Rabo will have bought about a dramatic improvement in these guys, lets wait and see.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Do they have a fly half this year?

I think they have a player who is qualified called Burton, he playes for Treviso and is actually quite a good player.

So hes number one now? Is the drunk Aussie totally gone?
I dont really remeber Burton being up to much last year. Obviously theres the theory that playing in the Rabo will have bought about a dramatic improvement in these guys, lets wait and see.

I have seen Burton play on a couple of occasions, and what he does do well is nail his kicks. He hardly ever misses a kick at goal and he has a decent touch finder as well. His game management might not be as good as the top end no. 10's in the six nations but he will keep the score board ticking over and Italy have not had that since Dominguez(spelling).

Fair enough. Italy need a reliable goal kicker, it was partly where my question came from in the first place. They have had some pretty makeshift players ending up doing that role in recent times (Bergamasco!)
Given its highly unlikley theyd ever run away with one of the 6Ns games 3 pointers become vital in them getting wins.