England vs Italy: Match thread

[nathan]

So what are peoples predictions? It's snowing in Leicester, so I presume similar weather at Twickenham?

I have a bad feeling about this game and don't think England will run away with it as many are predicting.

[EnglishReign]

Why does the worst weather wait for 6 nations weekend? Worried I'll never see the sun again.

Anyway, BBC weather reckons no snow in Twickenham but still cold and windy. I still reckon we will get a big win today.

[Guest]

Big win for England I reckon. 45 - 15 is my prediction.

[100%beefy]

Look Italy just beat France but they are completely unreliable on form and meander from superb on occassion to dire. England are composed, intelligent and have massive strenght in depth. I fully expect Italy to have thier moments but England just beat NZ and they will put Italy away convincingly. I think perhaps lancs made more changes than he shoudl have but he has been faultless so far so I am sure he knows what he wants. The issue is will England get enough of a test today to prep them for Cardiff which will be a more stern test with everything to lose. Unitl now England seem to thrive under pressure, next weekend they will need to.

[RDSguru]

I have England to win by 18.

Out of interest, given that the current points difference between Eng and Wales is just 7, how much do you think Eng need to win by to guarantee the championship?

[Barney McGrew did it]

3-0

[RDSguru]

Can't fault your confidence Barney

[Hood83]

Can't understand all these predictions. I think they're based on Wales beating them easily away, but that was without Parisse, who does make a huge difference.

If he and Orquera (sp?) play well, it's a big if on the latter obviously, then we won't be winning by 20 or more. It really isn't a bad Italian side, they'll be hugely motivated and their set piece and defence will be good.

I'm a natural pessimist, but given I haven't seen England exactly blow anyone away, especially not through the backs, I see this as being a little closer. Maybe 15 in it max.

[RDSguru]

Can't understand all these predictions. I think they're based on Wales beating them easily away, but that was without Parisse, who does make a huge difference.

I suspect the scoreline between Scotland and Italy may be influencing the scoreline predictions as well.

I'd like to see a smallish win for Eng, 3-7 points. That would give the Cardiff game a really nice edge to it, Wales to win by 10-15 snatching the championship and slam from Eng.... (thats not a prediction by the way, just within the realms of possibility)

[aitchw]

Italy are past masters of forcing opposition to play the game on their terms. England have to treat Italy the same way they treated the ABs and will have to do the same next week against Wales. Play with pace and aggression. Speed everywhere on the pitch. Italy will struggle to maintain defence if they do that. Not taking anything for granted. Italy can spoil anyone's party when Parisse plays well.

[Alex_Germany]

3-0

7-6 would do the job.

[Morgannwg]

The predictions are in. England to win by 10 points, then Wales to beat England next week by 18 points and take the title. Easy.

[Looseheaded]

Loving this Italian bloke's description of rugby. Would prefer if Sonia avoided discussing soccer though, I just dont give a poop about it.

[lostinwales]

If it was in Rome the game would be a lot tougher. I honestly think its going to be very very hard for Italy to score any points at all. However, particularly if the weather takes a hold, I can also see England having trouble scoring.

So - a comfortable victory but potentially a low scoring game

[t1000advancedprototype]

Wales need to pass to the wings as often as possible next week and hope Ashton has a bad day on the tackling.

[RuggerBoy]

A game where I don't really care who wins.

So my prediction is that it will be a fast flowing game, from end to end with loads of tries and virtually no kicking and all. A game where all the scrums are correctly set with perfect timing and impeccable binding, officiated by a referee who might just as well be a spectator for all the influence he has on the game.

One final thing, there will only be 3-5 points between the teams at the end so that next week's game in Cardiff will be a REAL match for the championship.

Now that is a game where I DO care who wins. In the meantime, let today's game begin!

[Hood83]

Urgh, our anthem is terrible, made worse by that stupid false upward intonation at the end you always get with singers. Bin it.

[t1000advancedprototype]

Urgh, our anthem is terrible, made worse by that stupid false upward intonation at the end you always get with singers. Bin it.

The woman singing it was pretty hot. Wouldn't mind a sex sandwich with her, Kath Jenkins and Hayley Westenra.

[glamorganalun]

How many forwrd passes so far?

[t1000advancedprototype]

Italy have turned England over several times.

Wales will take note.

[Geordie]

Ashton is getting through some serious work...

[glamorganalun]

Penalty, penalty , well done flood missed touch again.

[Morgannwg]

Ashton is getting through some serious work...

Yeah he's as fast going backwards as forwards.

[t1000advancedprototype]

We need to challenge Goode with the high ball next week.

[glamorganalun]

The FB catches the ball under no pressure he is now the Lions FB.

[Guest]

What a run by Zanni

[t1000advancedprototype]

DAMN.

[Geordie]

We're having a few little concentration lapses....Italy should have scored there...

[Breadvan]

Big let off...

[t1000advancedprototype]

Parisse handles the ball like Henson.

[Morgannwg]

I thought that came off a heel of an England player. Well spotted Nige.

[Geordie]

But Parisse will be remembered as one of the best of his generaion...Henson will be remembered as an utter tool....

[bsando]

Touch judge saw what happened yet ref still deems it an England scrum? Lucky England.

[Guest]

Oh dear Flood...

[t1000advancedprototype]

OMG

Eddie Butler is a moron
England squander a 72 man overlap

[Geordie]

Flood is showing why he will soon be behind both Farrell and Burns in the pecking order....

[glamorganalun]

Well done Flood screwed up.

[Looseheaded]

How did England not score there?
Shocking composure

[Breadvan]

Shoulda but didna. Have to be more clinical.

[wales606]

Worst butchered try I can remember seeing

[Morgannwg]

[thebluesmancometh]

Flood held up on a 4 man overlap...

England lucky to not have conceded Parisse and co called knocked on despite Clancy being told it clearly wasn't...

[EnglishReign]

Flood having a mare

[Breadvan]

Floods trying to hard IMO. Composure lad....

[wales606]

Wow, awful

[t1000advancedprototype]

Wales looking good for Cardiff.

[thebluesmancometh]

Noway does Flood take any blame for being held up there mind!!

[bsando]

Scrums turning into Scotland Wales games. Ref just said "I was clear with you before the game, I want a long pause between pause and set" WHY!?!

[Casartelli]

Blimey, if they play like this in Cardiff we'll have it won by halftime.

Hope it's not a case of bad rehearsal, great performance etc.

[LondonTiger]

Goode coming in to the attacking line messed up that chance. He came in far to close to flood and then shovelled it sideways. If Goode satys out, flood has the choice of running or passing

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