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.

[Gibson]

Ah fair enough, hes using the whole bench. I asked for that.

Better Deccie. Better.

[Rava]

No real need to make those changes IMO.

[eirebilly]

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

I told you he would only play 70mins Gibbo

[Gibson]

You did Billser., You did mo chara. Rooooooooooooob!

[Cari]

Gibbo - he'll score a DG in the 80th minute anyway.

Gwaaaan Chilli again!

[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?

Take it back. i want to see this combination.

[eirebilly]

Whoops, i spoke too soon Sexton is still on

[rodders]

ROG becomes most capped Irish player.....feic Kearney is a genius!

[Ozzy3213]

Pointless substitution bringing ROG on.

[Gibson]

Nah I agree with it. They all need game time. JS played well, kicked well.

Great stuff Paulie!

[Notch]

I have no idea why Donnacha Ryan isn't starting for us by the way!

[WillyGilly]

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?

More to the point has Sexton ever had an 100% kicking record in the green jersey. Impressed.

[Biltong]

Stand out Irish players for me was Sexton, Kearney and O'Connol

[Cari]

Congrats ROG.

Wouldn't it be great if Tommy got a hat trick on such a special day for him...?

[eirebilly]

I have no idea why Donnacha Ryan isn't starting for us by the way!

In fairness, i thought that DOC has played well

[Rava]

MOM candidates

Kearney, Sexton and Ferris

[Cari]

I reckon it'll be Fez Rava.

[HammerofThunor]

I've got Ireland to win 32-12. Hoping for a penalty each at most.

[WillyGilly]

Ferris or Kearney for me.

[Gibson]

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?

More to the point has Sexton ever had an 100% kicking record in the green jersey. Impressed.

He has had 2 or 3 100% kicking games. Did so v the Saffers and Fiji. Was at the games. I have em all on personal vid. Its like my porn stash.

[Ozzy3213]

Nah I agree with it. They all need game time. JS played well, kicked well.

Great stuff Paulie!

It's making changes for changes sake. ROG does not need gametime, he's not coming back from injury. What should have happened is minimal changes in the backs second half and look for some continuity and fluidity and put Ireland to the sword.

It's replacements by numbers from Deccie.

[Glas a du]

Yes for trying to take people's heads off.

[Cari]

What a driving maul!

Come on! I think MOTM could easily be Chilli too....can't decide. Maybe they can share

[Gibson]

ROG is brave. No matter what people say.

Sloppy lads. Mon, finish in styleee

[WillyGilly]

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?

More to the point has Sexton ever had an 100% kicking record in the green jersey. Impressed.

He has had 2 or 3 100% kicking games. Did so v the Saffers and Fiji. Was at the games. I have em all on personal vid. Its like my porn stash.

All you porn's on video? Man you are old.

[eirebilly]

Kearney is the MoTM for me. He has been in everything good with Ireland

[Rava]

MOM is Sexton

[rodders]

come on try here lads.....

[eirebilly]

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?

More to the point has Sexton ever had an 100% kicking record in the green jersey. Impressed.

He has had 2 or 3 100% kicking games. Did so v the Saffers and Fiji. Was at the games. I have em all on personal vid. Its like my porn stash.

All you porn's on video? Man you are old.

[Gibson]

Nah I agree with it. They all need game time. JS played well, kicked well.

Great stuff Paulie!

It's making changes for changes sake. ROG does not need gametime, he's not coming back from injury. What should have happened is minimal changes in the backs second half and look for some continuity and fluidity and put Ireland to the sword.

It's replacements by numbers from Deccie.

Thing is Ozzy, they havent played for 3 weeks.. sooo. and we have 3 games in a row after this... Need all hands ready to go. I can see his logic.

[Golden]

Thought darcy had his best game in about 2 years. Aside from a couple of penalties thought he was really good.

Sexton gets MOM thought kearney was better TBH. however he was involved in everything so no complaints

[Cari]

I missed the MOTM announcement. Well done Sexytoes. Lost your brains and carried on

COME ON IRELAND!!!!! TRY NO.4!!!!!

[eirebilly]

YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gibson]

YO! Go Courty!

[rodders]

Tom Court well played big man!

[Rava]

Brilliant big Tom Court. Chuffed for him

[Golden]

get in tom court. Much better 2nd half

[Cari]

Awh he popped his cherry too. Well done Courty!

[Rava]

Mike Court well played big man!

?? Are you Jim Neilly?

[Gibson]

Im must be losing it. Thought Sexton was gone. Senior moment Gibbo, Duh!

[Glas a du]

Heaslip massive obstruction. Really poor from Joubert and Nigel today.

[rodders]

Another try and I'll be happy.....

[Cari]

Another try and I'll be happy.....

Make it a Tommy Bowe hat trick and I'll be on the ceiling.

Well done Sexy.

TRIMBY IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rava]

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[eirebilly]

Trimble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally

[Golden]

Trimble is a legend

[rodders]

Mike Court well played big man!

?? Are you Jim Neilly?

... how terribly embarressing.....

Trimble!!!!!!

[Gibson]

Sexy is Seren Y gem. Go Anddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Its an Ulster day. Bowe, Court and Andy.

[WillyGilly]

Go on Trimble!!!

[Cari]

DOC found that funny anyway!

Well done Blondie. Well haven't the Ulster lads done well (not meaning to sound like Bruce Forsythe there...)

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