Italy vs Wales Match Thread

by maestegmafia Wed 20 Feb 2013, 11:26 pm

SIX NATIONS: ITALY V WALES
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday 23 February Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Wales, BBC One HD, Red Button and online; listen on BBC Radio Wales & online and BBC Radio Cymru; live text commentary on BBC Sport website; watch again on BBC iPlayer; highlights on Sunday's Scrum V

Wales team to face Italy:

Leigh Halfpenny. Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Andrew Coombs, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (captain), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau

Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.

Italian Team to Face Wales:

Andrea Masi (Wasps); Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Gonzalo Canale (La Rochelle), Luke McLean (Treviso); Kristopher Burton (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso); Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester, capt), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Manoa Vosawai (Treviso).
Replacements: Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Quentin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Tobias Botes (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre).

by 100%beefy Wed 20 Feb 2013, 11:32 pm

I just hope that whatever happens on the day, no one is rude to the referee Whistle

by Cyril Thu 21 Feb 2013, 9:48 am

100%beefy wrote:I just hope that whatever happens on the day, no one is rude to the referee

On here or in the game? 30-day bans would mean a quiet forum for a while Laugh

by maestegmafia Thu 21 Feb 2013, 6:10 pm

Italians announce their team with Castro as Capitano

Andrea Masi (Wasps); Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Gonzalo Canale (La Rochelle), Luke McLean (Treviso); Kristopher Burton (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso); Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester, capt), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Francesco Minto (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso), Simone Favaro (Treviso), Manoa Vosawai (Treviso).

Replacements: Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Alberto De Marchi (Treviso), Lorenzo Cittadini (Treviso), Quentin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Tobias Botes (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre).

by maestegmafia Thu 21 Feb 2013, 6:10 pm

Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni will lead Italy in the absence of banned number eight Sergio Parisse for Saturday's Six Nations game with Wales.

Stade Francais' Parisse is out of the tournament after being suspended for 30 days for insulting a match referee.

Manoa Vosawai comes in at number eight amid four changes to the side that lost 34-10 to Scotland in the last round.

Kristopher Burton and Edoardo Gori form a new half-back pairing, with Antonio Pavanello at lock.

Burton takes over at fly-half from Luciano Orquera, who starred in their opening win over France in Paris, while Tobias Botes loses his scrum-half spot to Gori.
Orquera and Botes drop to the bench as coach Jacques Brunel seeks an improvement on their showing at Murrayfield on 9 February.

Quintin Geldenhuys also moves to the bench as he makes way for Pavanello. Fiji-born Vosawai is among six members of Treviso's pack to start against unchanged Wales.

"It's a really big responsibility to get into Sergio's shoes - they are big shoes to fill," Vosawai said.

"This is something I'm really looking forward to. It's a great opportunity for me."
Castrogiovanni will lead the Azzurri while winning his 94th cap.

Parisse was sent off in Stade Francais' French Top 14 game against Bordeaux-Begles last Saturday and will miss Italy's matches against Wales, England and Ireland.

However, the captaincy is not new to Castrogiovanni, having led Italy in their 2012 Six Nations game against Scotland.

Italy have beaten Wales on two previous Six Nations occasions in Rome - in 2003 and 2007 - and it will be the countries' first championship meeting at Stadio Olimpico.

by wales606 Fri 22 Feb 2013, 6:52 pm

The weather is awful in the U20s game

That makes me a bit pessimistic about seeing much of an open game tomorrow, and increases Italy's chances. :/

by maestegmafia Sat 23 Feb 2013, 9:11 am

Weather is not so bad here this morning but heavy rain likely later according to the hotel

by **Pal Joey** Sat 23 Feb 2013, 10:10 am

Hope you're having a nice time there, maes. Best of luck later on today.

by bsando Sat 23 Feb 2013, 11:50 am

Right welsh fans, I've got a tenner on Wales to win both halves, which is what they did two years ago. Despite Italy's marked improvement as a team, I think a welsh side with the wind in their sails could be a handful.

by wales606 Sat 23 Feb 2013, 12:02 pm

I've got Wales to win the second half -6. Should be fairly safe, although the weather is worrying.

by thebluesmancometh Sat 23 Feb 2013, 12:19 pm

bsando

I wouldn't have bet the same (although I hope your right)

Getting nervous now, going to take the dogs out for a run (then they'll hise away up on my bed when they hear a starting whistle) and sitting down with a whiskey!

by 100%beefy Sat 23 Feb 2013, 12:23 pm

Weather makes me nervous....if it turns into an arm wrestle we are lead footed enough to get sucked in to a battle of attrition up front.....we need to take the initiative early instead of chasing which in poor condiitions will mean errors

by IanBru Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:07 pm

There's a real pleasure in watching a match where you don't particularly mind who wins - you can revel in the sheer beauty of the game.

Best of luck to both teams!

by 100%beefy Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:10 pm

Bugger the beauty...COME ON WALES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by maestegmafia Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:10 pm

IanBru wrote:There's a real pleasure in watching a match where you don't particularly mind who wins - you can revel in the sheer beauty of the game.

Best of luck to both teams!

Cheers.

Hopefully both can play at their best. There has been a lot of rain and it may effect the game. Brilliant atmosphere..

by LemonyVodka5 Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:13 pm

100%beefy wrote:Bugger the beauty...COME ON WALES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I now have a vision of Katherine Jenkins walking like John Wayne.... Shocked

by nobbled Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:17 pm

Looks very mucky out there. Going to a big battle up front.
Any nerves from the Welsh fans?

by Guest Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:20 pm

Nobbled, yes. There is no clear favourite in this. Wales have had an awful run, but beat a France team in disarray. Italy have been playing very well at home. We've both only got the win against the same team (France) going into this. Italy being at home perhaps makes them favourites. So yes, very nervous.

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:23 pm

Afternoon All coffee

Well, the U20s match went ahead in a quagmire last night and Wales managed a win. Hopefully the grown ups can do the same!

Ha! I didn't notice George North's dad jumping on him during the post try celebrations against France. Laugh

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:27 pm

Jebus boys, I know you like singing the anthem, but I wish they'd switch the mic off by you when you do. Laugh

by nobbled Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:30 pm

Italians look really pumped up! Good luck Wales.

by IanBru Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:31 pm

Cari wrote:Jebus boys, I know you like singing the anthem, but I wish they'd switch the mic off by you when you do.

Ha ha, yes.

I can only assume there was a poor link up between the microphones of the band and the Welsh players.

What I'm saying is, I have much more faith in Welsh musicality (i.e. ability to stay in time) than I do with Italian TV producers!

Then again, awesome anthem from the Italians - great rendition.

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:33 pm

Ah they had about 60'000 on backing vocals. Wink

Jebus it's wazzing...worse than anything we get in Wales!

by IanBru Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:34 pm

Cari wrote:Ah they had about 60'000 on backing vocals.

Yeah, that would help!

by thebluesmancometh Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:34 pm

Too much focus on Roberts already from wales!!!

From the lineout - nowhere near.

2nd phase from the free kick - Behind him!!

by Guest Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:35 pm

5 mistakes in 2 minutes!

by stub Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:36 pm

Yes, good luck Wales. Think that you should run out comfortable winners in the end...

by nathan Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:36 pm

the ref is giving nothings to italy here, Wales not rolling away there.

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:37 pm

Great footage BBC. Jiffy says the free kick was great and we don't see it. Rolling Eyes

Andrew Cotter has gone off to be sick I think.

by Guest Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:38 pm

Jiffy main commentator all game!

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:38 pm

Jiffy's not very good commentating on his own is he?

by nathan Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:38 pm

what rubbish reffing, wales number 2 in at the side.

by thebluesmancometh Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:39 pm

Lineout calls = pathetic, front man ball with a loop on the blind side??? U14's teams could read that!!!

by nathan Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:39 pm

Cari wrote:Jiffy's not very good commentating on his own is he?

we are getting some very long pauses.

by Guest Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:39 pm

Now this will be biased commentating!

by IanBru Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:39 pm

Griff wrote:Jiffy main commentator all game!

It's happening.

Asteroids? Horses in our meals? Scotland scoring tries? Jiffy commentating?

All happening.

Might be time to stock up on canned goods.

by 100%beefy Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:40 pm

this may come down to who makes fewest mistakes in bad conditions

by nobbled Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:40 pm

nathan wrote:what rubbish reffing, wales number 2 in at the side.

Yeah the Italian Captain had a word.

by thebluesmancometh Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:40 pm

nathan...

So williams and Jiffy are on to comentate??? Oh dear.

by Looseheaded Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:40 pm

Shane's here!

This is going to be more of a fanchat than a commentary highpoint
ah well

*drinks*

by stub Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:40 pm

IanBru wrote:
Griff wrote:Jiffy main commentator all game!
It's happening.

Asteroids? Horses in our meals? Scotland scoring tries? Jiffy commentating?

All happening.

Might be time to stock up on canned goods.

Ha ha!

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:41 pm

Shane's in to talk with Jiffy...they might start to siarad y Gymraeg in a minute.

Italian penalty. Burton should kick this as well.

by thebluesmancometh Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:42 pm

I wish jiffy and Shane would just relax, have a bit of a laugh mun, stop trying so hard!!!

I can feel the nerves through the TV, is there alternative comentary?

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:42 pm

3-3 at ten minutes.

Shane's awful quiet...bring back Andrew Cotter. If he's got the trots, stick him on a commode.

by nathan Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:43 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:nathan...

So williams and Jiffy are on to comentate??? Oh dear.

whatever....

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:43 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:I wish jiffy and Shane would just relax, have a bit of a laugh mun, stop trying so hard!!!

I can feel the nerves through the TV, is there alternative comentary?

It's also live on S4C.

by Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:43 pm

Its more like local radio commentary.

Expert opinion on the scrum:
JD "Its really hard to know what goes on in that department"
Sir SW " I cant help you there Jon"

Brilliant

by nobbled Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:43 pm

Wow Italy on the charge!

by Cari Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:44 pm

It's like listening to two boys down the pub.

by Looseheaded Sat 23 Feb 2013, 2:45 pm

So we've got the two most talented hobbits in rugby discussing the scrum.

outstanding

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