Ireland vs Italy, 8th March

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IRELAND VS ITALY

Date: Saturday, March 8
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)

IRELAND TEAM wrote:15 Rob Kearney, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.

16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Rhys Ruddock, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Fergus McFadden.

ITALY TEAM wrote:15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Paul Derbyshire, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Marco Bortolami (c), 4 Quentin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto de Marchi

16 David Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Antonio Pavanello, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Masi

If we win this game by a larger margin than the winners of the other two games achieve then it's very, very simple- we set up a Cup Final for ourselves in Paris to win the Championship. We do already have the best points difference but we have a chance to settle the issue of points difference beyond all doubt and make this a very simple equation. An Ireland win in Paris, and we are champions. We are out to score and Joe Schmidt has named his strongest available team.

Italy have chosen to rotate their squad with half an eye on targeting the final game against England, Sergio Parisse is rested along with the first choice halfbacks in a team with a more experimental look. Tito Tebaldi and Andrea Masi make long awaited returns to the Italian match day squad and Luciano Orquera will hope to recapture the form which saw him perform so well in some famous Italian victories in the 2013 campaign.

There'll be plenty of applause for a retiring legend... but no room for sentiment. A ruthless and clinical performance is required.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Now now now...attack the post not the poster.
you can see what you want...he clearly isnt going to beat Brown is a good point (he wouldnt beat anyone), so correct that he went infield...to be caught by a lock..      

I guess the clip just about sums him up...also there isn't another clip for the whole game in terms of highlighting him...

Also the point about calling him DK is a good one from Notch. Average Dave is better  

I did attack the post because it was really daft. Dod seriously I thought you had a better understanding of rugby. Basically you inadvertantly highlighted some pretty good play and decision making from Kearney. Digging yourself into a hole here.

    funniest post yet...caught by a lock...     

Nachos Jones wrote:

GunsGerms wrote: If anything Kearney did exactly the right thing in attempting to bring support in to play to set up the next phase which he did perfectly.

That's the thing though isn't it, he did exactly what was expected of him (did it well mind but exactly what was expected). What you get from Zebo is that unpredictability factor, yes he may have been driven into touch but he could just as well scored the try. I much prefer Zebo as he also puts defences into two minds by not doing exactly what is expected. Its something I really like about him.

Again, not saying Kearney is bad but I would just prefer Zebo in those situations.

Average Dave made the % option.. = Scmidtball...its all about the averages with Joe...

Ifsthe consensus is that Zebo would have tried to have gone round Brown down the touchline a move akin to a sidestep in a phonebox? If so in international rugby he would get smashed every time.

Headless chicken vs teamplayer. I know who I would select everytime.

GunsGerms wrote:Ifsthe consensus is that Zebo would have tried to have gone round Brown down the touchline a move akin to a sidestep in a phonebox? If so in international rugby he would get smashed every time.

Headless chicken vs teamplayer. I know who I would select everytime.

I didnt say anything about Zebo but its more likely he would have come infield as well (he rarely takes the outside only when its on)...but guess what...he wouldnt have got caught by a .....wait for it.....













Lock.

I asked for Keith Earls input on this and he says Dave should have ran the ball into touch.

rodders wrote:I asked for Keith Earls input on this and he says Dave should have ran the ball into touch.

Dont think he was quick enough... 

Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

If that video clip is it - case dismissed   

geoff999rugby wrote:If that video clip is it - case dismissed   

You might try hitting the play button first Geoff...

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

He will be considered when Munster pick him in front of Keatley or Downey until then it's not going to happen

GunsGerms wrote:Ifsthe consensus is that Zebo would have tried to have gone round Brown down the touchline a move akin to a sidestep in a phonebox? If so in international rugby he would get smashed every time.

Headless chicken vs teamplayer. I know who I would select everytime.

All I am saying is that Zebo would probably have done what was not expected, its this quality that puts defences into two minds, so who knows what would have happened. As I say, I have not slated Kearney, I would simply prefer Zebo in space running at a scrambled defence.

He is far from a headless chicken and if you really think that then I fear for you guns.

ME-109 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:If that video clip is it - case dismissed   

You might try hitting the play button first Geoff...

Which one ? Hanrahan is not picked by Munster and the Kearney one proves nothing

geoff999rugby wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:If that video clip is it - case dismissed   

You might try hitting the play button first Geoff...

Which one ?  Hanrahan is not picked by Munster and the Kearney one proves nothing

Highly entertaining though

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

Quite promising young fella. Come back when he's 30% better.

Nachos Jones wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ifsthe consensus is that Zebo would have tried to have gone round Brown down the touchline a move akin to a sidestep in a phonebox? If so in international rugby he would get smashed every time.

Headless chicken vs teamplayer. I know who I would select everytime.

All I am saying is that Zebo would probably have done what was not expected, its this quality that puts defences into two minds, so who knows what would have happened. As I say, I have not slated Kearney, I would simply prefer Zebo in space running at a scrambled defence.

He is far from a headless chicken and if you really think that then I fear for you guns.

A player trying to beat Brown on the touchline in their own half would have been a headless chicken move that all Im saying. Kearney took the right option and presented the ball well for his team mates. Nothing to see really on that clip.

GunsGerms wrote:

Nachos Jones wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ifsthe consensus is that Zebo would have tried to have gone round Brown down the touchline a move akin to a sidestep in a phonebox? If so in international rugby he would get smashed every time.

Headless chicken vs teamplayer. I know who I would select everytime.

All I am saying is that Zebo would probably have done what was not expected, its this quality that puts defences into two minds, so who knows what would have happened. As I say, I have not slated Kearney, I would simply prefer Zebo in space running at a scrambled defence.

He is far from a headless chicken and if you really think that then I fear for you guns.

A player trying to beat Brown on the touchline in their own half would have been a headless chicken move that all Im saying. Kearney took the right option and presented the ball well for his team mates. Nothing to see really on that clip.

Ah well...except for the fact that he is run down by a lock...even taking into consideration the cut back (not at a big angle) Launchberry is still gaining on him....

You seem to have also decided that Zebo would have taken the wrong option in your parallel universe...you couldnt make it up

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

Quite promising young fella.  Come back when he's 30% better.

Needs to hit more rucks I think

ME-109 wrote:

Ah well...except for the fact that he is run down by a lock...even taking into consideration the cut back (not at a big angle) Launchberry is still gaining on him....

You seem to have also decided that Zebo would have taken the wrong option in your parallel universe...you couldnt make it up

So if I understand correctly Zebo would have done exactly the same thing as Kearney did yet you have chosen this clip to somehow expose Kearney as a bad player? You are going to have to try a little harder Dod. Hats off you crack me up.

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Ah well...except for the fact that he is run down by a lock...even taking into consideration the cut back (not at a big angle) Launchberry is still gaining on him....

You seem to have also decided that Zebo would have taken the wrong option in your parallel universe...you couldnt make it up

So if I understand correctly Zebo would have done exactly the same thing as Kearney did yet you have chosen this clip to somehow expose Kearney as a bad player? Hats off you crack me up.

Indeed...except that....wait for it (again)....Zebo (or any other intl class winger) would not have been overhauled and tap tackled by a lock...  

ME-109 wrote:

Notch wrote:Racing Metro have said they expect Sexton to be out for between ten days and six weeks. Expecting Paddy Jackson to start this game whilst they do everything they can to get Sexton ready for the game in Paris.

Oh oh...Fergie will have to start as back up for kicking duties....just in case mind.

Actually looking forward to PJ starting. Wont it make more sense to have Luke Marshall starting as well?

Well, Schmidt picked D'Arcy to start with Jackson in the only game Sexton hasn't played under him so far. But when Kidney picked Jackson and Marshall together against Scotland, their inexperience wasn't the problem. They actually combined very well together; they've been playing a massive amount of rugby together for a while now. Actually Marshall would add a lot to the back line in attack in that sense.

I would quite like to see Marshall starting whoever is at 10 but feel like this might cause Schmidt to go for the safer option at 12. The truth is Marshall has quite a poor game for Ulster at the weekend. Both players will be under a lot of scrutiny tomorrow night. I actually trust PJ more at this level than Marshall, not a slur on Marshall but Jackson is very assured in his play whoever he lines out for. It was really encouraging to see him coming off the bench in the first two games and doing a lot of talking and organising on the pitch- the games were won, but he looked very comfortable directing the back line around.

ME-109 wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Ah well...except for the fact that he is run down by a lock...even taking into consideration the cut back (not at a big angle) Launchberry is still gaining on him....

You seem to have also decided that Zebo would have taken the wrong option in your parallel universe...you couldnt make it up

So if I understand correctly Zebo would have done exactly the same thing as Kearney did yet you have chosen this clip to somehow expose Kearney as a bad player? Hats off you crack me up.

Indeed...except that....wait for it (again)....Zebo (or any other intl class winger) would not have been overhauled and tap tackled by a lock...  

Except if they slow down and cut infield towards the lock at which point the lock being slower only manages a tap tackle?

Its ok to admit you were wrong. You will get it right next time, even a broken clock is right twice a day.

By the way...would Zebo still have been playing at that stage in such a game?

Having already scored his hattrick much earlier in the game, I don't think Schmidt would have chanced him to exhaustion, like he did Kearney.  Much too important a player. Zebo would be already off and wrapped in Blingwool for France.

Kearney is merely a 'workhorse'.  The kind that do heart and sweat for 80.

Alright guns, you are 100% right..it was a master class in wing play...in fact the clip should be used for training purposes...it would always get a good laugh..

SecretFly wrote:By the way...would Zebo still have been playing at that stage in such a game?

Having already scored his hattrick much earlier in the game, I don't think Schmidt would have chanced him to exhaustion, like he did Kearney.  Much too important a player. Zebo would be already off and wrapped in Blingwool for France.

Kearney is merely a 'workhorse'.  The kind that do heart and sweat for 80.

and f all else....

Nah, it was Zebo doing f all that got him his run of no games so far.

When he gets back he'll remember he's Irish first and last. Lesson learned. Looking forward to him shine.

This Sexton injury thingy. Apparently he has thumb ligament damage and the remainder of his 6Ns in doubt (if not his season).

It's his middle digit that became stuck when he raised it at the end of the game at someone  It just proves don't take your emotions too far.

If Madigan doesnt play well this weekend, i wouldnt mind seen JJ on the bench. Harsh on Keatley seen as hes ahead of him for Munster but JJ has so much potential. Give Madigan a kick up the ass as well.

Kearney did nothing wrong in that clip, but its a hell of an effort from Launchbury to get to him after 78 minutes, hes a really good player.

Yes, thats what Racing say PC. I'm sure the Ireland camp will demand his release regardless- and if there is any way he can be patched up for France he probably will be and of course the Ireland medical staff very much disagree with the Racing medical staff on this.

RTE are reporting that the IRFU expect Sexton to be fit to play Italy- thats a statement from the IRFU in response to the noises coming out of Racing. They say the problem doesn't require surgery and they expect Sexton to be available for selection. Both sides have their own agenda here, so it's hard to know how bad this thumb injury really is. My prediction; the player and the Ireland coaches will want to find a way for him to play through the pain, he will play the rest of the Six Nations- and Racing will be fuming.

Still, wouldn't be adverse to giving Jackson a game against Italy and Sexton another week to recover.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/29965.php

The Ireland management have issued an injury update as the squad's two-day training camp in Belfast comes to a close.


Brian O'Driscoll
Brian continues to recuperate and took part in on-field rugby activity today in Belfast but did his conditioning work off-feet to facilitate his continuing recovery.

Peter O'Mahony
Peter's hamstring strain is improving. It is hoped that he will commence running over the weekend.

Jonathan Sexton
The Ireland Medical Team have had a Consultant Hand Specialist review Jonathan and his scans. The ligament damage sustained does not warrant surgery and if Jonathan continues his current rate of improvement we would be confident that he will be available for selection against Italy.

Andrew Trimble
Andrew took a knock to his knee during the training session in Belfast today and was withdrawn from the session as a precaution. Initial review revealed no immediate concerns and he will be reviewed again tomorrow.

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

Quite promising young fella.  Come back when he's 30% better.

He's already better than Madigan, Jackson and keatkey. He's 94% kicking with something like 61 from 66! And we all know how he plays on the gain line. He has suffered from Penney telling keatkey he is going to start all hc games this season at the start of the season.

Next season he will start hc and Madigan / Jackson will both be relegated.

And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

Quite promising young fella.  Come back when he's 30% better.

He's already better than Madigan, Jackson and keatkey. He's 94% kicking with something like 61 from 66! And we all know how he plays on the gain line. He has suffered from Penney telling keatkey he is going to start all hc games this season at the start of the season.

Next season he will start hc and Madigan / Jackson will both be relegated.

Em........... my 30% allusion was kind of an in-joke based on things said already here - as many of my comments tend to be based on comments gone before.  

Go back up to what Sin told us Ronan allegedly said.

As for JJ, by all means let Schmidt keep looking at him.  He has a lot of talent.

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

T'aint necessarily so, geoff.  

I wouldn't mind one or two wildcard appearances by one or two quite young 'inexperienced' guys that look promising. (Not now with us looking for a Championship) but a summer appearance - wouldn't mind it at all.
Let's never forget that a young player 15 years ago got his first International cap in the same year he started with his Province Leinster - yep, he was BOD.  Look where that foresight by...................... Warren Gatland..................... took us.  It's good to sometimes try the 'untested'.

SecretFly wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

ME-109 wrote:Someone down here wants to say Hi Joe...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYKm8lEJ-RE

Quite promising young fella.  Come back when he's 30% better.

He's already better than Madigan, Jackson and keatkey. He's 94% kicking with something like 61 from 66! And we all know how he plays on the gain line. He has suffered from Penney telling keatkey he is going to start all hc games this season at the start of the season.

Next season he will start hc and Madigan / Jackson will both be relegated.

Em........... my 30% allusion was kind of an in-joke based on things said already here - as many of my comments tend to be based on comments gone before.  

Go back up to what Sin told us Ronan allegedly said.

As for JJ, by all means let Schmidt keep looking at him.  He has a lot of talent.

Like Zebo Holy Joe could be "keeping a close eye" on him..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JQXgn-cubQ

One eye on each of them.... yeah, that's economy scouting at it's best. The IRFU are strapped for cash these days.

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

Good point Geoff that's rules out madigan and Jackson

BlueMuff wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

Good point Geoff that's rules out madigan and Jackson

Controversial...   

Disastrous!

No 10 cover????????????

Ireland always needs a controversal 10 lurker plotting to take the 10 off the back of the mainstay!

What will the Indo journalists have to talk about if neither Madigan, Jackson or JJ are qualified to be on the bench? It's the end of Eastenders. No more Caff!

BlueMuff wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

Good point Geoff that's rules out madigan and Jackson

Well Jackson is the second choice 10! Doing very well though.

We in Irish rugby really overplay the experience card. If a player has the talent then the coach should take the risk and play that player.


After the 6 nations I think Schmidt will be looking to develop the squad more with a view to next years world cup.

profitius wrote:We in Irish rugby really overplay the experience card. If a player has the talent then the coach should take the risk and play that player.


After the 6 nations I think Schmidt will be looking to develop the squad more with a view to next years world cup.

I'd agree with the sentiment, prof.  But it all sounds very familiar too, don't you think.  
The coach, who is getting through some needed business first, and then later intends to 'experiment' a lot to sort out his squad situation for the WC.  We've been here before.  

Even now Schmidt is feeling more-constrained than he expected to feel.  
He's wary now about changing the team with so much charged expectation in the air and the pressure of it.  He can control to a great extent his own aspect of International but he's quickly finding he can't control the mood of fans.  He knows they sense a Championship and therefore he's under pressure to deliver one or take some flack.  And that then informs his readiness to not to change up his side.

We all remember too that many of us wanted Kidney to be adventurous in selections to uncover best players but many of us conflicted in when that time should be.  Some of us said the Summer/Autumn Internationals were the best time.  Some others said the heat of a genuine Championship was the best time to see what these players were made of (ie 6N itself).  

That'll happen again.  Some will say Schmidt shouldn't mess around too much with future isolated International games as he needs to continue to build a rhythm with the players he has.  Others will say that if the Summer or Autumn games can't be used for more adventurous experimentation then when do these players (perhaps a player like JJ) get to have a try out in a Schmidt system.

That's all ahead of us.  Conflict of interests.

Excuses excuses...

I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

Notch wrote:

BlueMuff wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

Good point Geoff that's rules out madigan and Jackson

Well Jackson is the second choice 10! Doing very well though.

14 minutes of game time since the 18th January!

Sin é wrote:I'd guess that Penney wants to keep JJ well away from Schmidt so that he doesn't try and mess his head up as well.

  

Never change.

BlueMuff wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:And I thought Ulster fans can be myopic

Untill JJ is first choice at Munster, as PJ has been at Ulster, he remains a maybe.
Trouble is Munster lack of desire to play him means PJ is getting experience which will take JJ time to catch up.

Any 10 needs 1, preferably 2, solid years as a Provincial 10 before they contend for first choice Ireland 10.

Good point Geoff that's rules out madigan and Jackson

Do you know what by my criteria you are right.

The difference is we are only 2 months away from Paddy Jackson being a contender for first choice Ireland 10.
With JJ the 2 year clock hasn't even started ticking
With Madigan the clock has stopped.
Jackson is the only viable alternative to Sexton as this 6N comes to a close

profitius wrote:We in Irish rugby really overplay the experience card. If a player has the talent then the coach should take the risk and play that player.


After the 6 nations I think Schmidt will be looking to develop the squad more with a view to next years world cup.

Every position, bar 10, I agree with you.

10 is such a pivotal position real week in week out experience is vital

Hearing from New Forge that none of the reported injuries - BOD, POM, Trimble, Sexton are are as bad as feared and that the management are hopeful all will be fit for Italy.

Does seem to be some talk of Sexton being rested anyway though

rodders wrote:Driico to score a hat-trick and leave us as he came in.... and that will be all Brian, and that will be all....

 
Now that would be a great ending to a career.
 
May get down the bookies.