Italy vs Scotland - The Wooden Spoon Decider

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ITALY VS SCOTLAND

Date: Saturday 27th February 2016
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick Off: 2:25pm (GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
TV Coverage: Live on ITV

Italy snatched a late 22-19 victory over Scotland in last season's corresponding fixture in Edinburgh.

Italy and Scotland have contested a total of 25 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1996. Italy have won 8 of those matches, whilst Scotland have won 17.

Scotland are on a 9 game losing streak in the 6 Nations.

Teams

Italy

Starting XV
1. Andrea Lovotti
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
3 Lorenzo Cittadini
4 Marco Fuser
5 Joshua Furno
6 Francesco Minto
7 Alessandro Zanni
8 Sergio Parisse
9 Edoardo Gori
10 Kelly Haimona
11 Mattia Bellini
12 Gonzalo Garcia
13 Michele Campagnaro
14 Leonardo Sarto
15 David Odiete

Replacements

16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Zanusso,18 Martin Castrogiovanni,19 Valerio Bernabo, 20 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Edoardo Padovani, 23 Andrea Pratichetti.

Scotland

Starting XV
1. Alasdair Dickinson
2. Ross Ford
3. Willem Nel
4. Richie Gray
5. Johnny Gray
6. John Barclay
7. John Hardie
8. David Denton
9. Greig Laidlaw
10. Finn Russell
11. Tim Visser
12. Duncan Taylor
13. Mark Bennett
14. Tommy Seymour
15. Stuart Hogg

Replacements

16.Stuart MacInally 17. Rory Sutherland 18. Moray Low 19. Tim Swinson 20. Ryan Wilson 21. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne 22. Peter Horne 23. Sean Lamont

Peyper might as well give his whistle to Laidlaw hahahahaha

So stupid. Lol.

Feck me this is stressful

Laidlaw calls another penalty...

I take it you're not allowed to card Italians today?

Yeeeeees!!!!

Well worked try, deserved victory!

Hogg could start at 15 for any team in the world.

Game, set, match to Scotland, well done. At least they knocked the stuffing out of Italy for us, which should let us beat them next week.

F u Jaco and your determination to try and lose this for Scotland

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Hogg could start at 15 for any team in the world.

hahahahahaha

His defence isn't good enough, and he's weak under a high ball. I'd take Brown, Williams, Halfpenny, Folau, Smith...

tigertattie wrote:F u Jaco and your determination to try and lose this for Scotland

What are you talking about, Laidlaw made him his puppet, nd the lead going into the final minutes was a result of 3 penalties.

Very relieved to get the result. Incredibly embarrassing that we would've actually been safer not kicking penalties because we were losing so much ground off restarts though. Italy properly let us off the hook today. Also thought Wilson did pretty well, did miss a tackle on Parisse just before Russells yellow though

Shifty wrote:Game, set, match to Scotland, well done. At least they knocked the stuffing out of Italy for us, which should let us beat them next week.

Italy don't look up to too much, but I agree, deserved result, and periods of real quality, that first 25 mins really killed the Italians.

tigertattie wrote:F u Jaco and your determination to try and lose this for Scotland

No complaints about the ref IMO

And what's wrong with the site today? It's almost as slow as RDW

Well played Scotland a great win. and  VERY WELL DESERVED WIN.

Italy gave Scotland a good game, but Scotland in the end just to strong for Italy.

So Scotland finaly win a game in the 6ns. Some great moments of play from Scotland.

So like i said well played Scotland Great win.

Lets hope for Scotland's sake this win is not a one off.

tigertattie wrote:And what's wrong with the site today? It's almost as slow as RDW

Charming!

Decent game, around the 60-70 minute mark it had the feel of one of those Scotland Italy games that Sergio Parisse takes into his own little world and wins single handedly. I thought Laidlaw was brilliant, Wilson did his job reasonably well, but you can't help but feel that someone like Denton would would have given Parisse something to think about.
Barclay and Hardie are starting to work well in tandem, especially with the Grays, it was our biggest win in Rome since 2002 and against a fairly strong Italian performance especially when Parisse had one of his great performances. Mark Bennett is having a quiet six nations, so there's a big game in there somewhere. Taylor was solid again but he's clearly just filling in until Dunbar is is back.

And there's a win which is a very, very welcome change.

Nice win Scotland - well done. Best first quarter I've seen from Scotland for a while. Kick on now and get the home win against France.

Fanster wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Hogg could start at 15 for any team in the world.

hahahahahaha

His defence isn't good enough, and he's weak under a high ball. I'd take Brown, Williams, Halfpenny, Folau, Smith...

Mature response. I assume such a sour response is the result of bitterness due to previous ignorant comments you have made and been ridiculed for?

Hogg has exceptional pace, a huge and accurate boot as well as the awareness and decision making that is very difficult to coach. Many players possess a few of these qualities, but only a few have the full package. Of course my comment was a little over-the-top as the players you mention are also quality, but Hogg would excel in a team with better support play and where he had more space. The fact he can do what he does without these advantages makes it all the more impressive.

In what way is his defence not good enough? He isn't a strong tackler, but how many tackles do you think an international 15 makes? Hogg is positionally sound and solid under the high ball, which are the main defensive requirements of his position. I have seen no evidence to suggest he is weak under the high ball. Did you get this evidence from the same virtual reality where Billy Vunipola is a 50-minute converted prop with a poor work-rate? Maybe I should dig out the statistics for your pleasure once again.

Don't feed the trolls

I only saw the second half and the stats make for depressing reading with Italy well ahead on most figures.

17 tackles by Ickle Jonny and Hrdie, 14 by Taylor

Effing restarts!

Is the first half worth watching?

Hogg - 6 tackles missed none. 81 m run of 7 carries with 5 defenders beaton

Firstly, what are you talking about? Where and why have I been ridiculed for my outrageous comments that are the standard of 'Hogg is not the best 15 in the world'?

So my comments were that Vunipola is a 50 minute converted prop with poor work rate were they, please do me a favour and go find them, quote them to me and we will all have a laugh at me, I suspect somehow though once you unbunch your panties you'll realise my comments were nowhere near of that standard, just because I had th gall to offer an opinion other than the BBC's regurgatated 'Vunipola is a ball carrier = best 8 in the world'.

Put it this way, if a prop is 7/8 metres out and my fullback is covering, he doesn't buy a dummy and let said prop go over untouched.

Hogg is a cracking little player, but a world class FB is far better defencively, and under a high ball.

I also find it strange you try to ridicule me for claiming he isn't the best 15 in the world, then claim your comment was over the top and he's not the best 15 in the world, it's a curious thing to attack someone for an opinion you agree with.

TJ wrote:Don't feed the trolls

I only saw the second half and the stats make for depressing reading with Italy well ahead on most figures.

17 tackles by Ickle Jonny and Hrdie, 14 by Taylor

Effing restarts!

Is the first half worth watching?

Please highlight where i'm trolling? Thats a disgracefull accusation thrown around too easily on here.

YES rewatch the first 25 mins, Scotland were slick, effective, and as far as 6N rugby goes it was rugby porn!!!

Fanster wrote:

Shifty wrote:Game, set, match to Scotland, well done. At least they knocked the stuffing out of Italy for us, which should let us beat them next week.

Italy don't look up to too much, but I agree, deserved result, and periods of real quality, that first 25 mins really killed the Italians.

Good to see Italy go for it for the full 80 after their total capitulation after JJ's intercept try a fortnight ago.

Scotland had Italy on toast after 15 mins but switched off and let them back in. Fair play to Italy they took the chance and got right back into it.

Scotland certainly know how to make it hard for themselves.

David-Douglas wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Shifty wrote:Game, set, match to Scotland, well done. At least they knocked the stuffing out of Italy for us, which should let us beat them next week.

Italy don't look up to too much, but I agree, deserved result, and periods of real quality, that first 25 mins really killed the Italians.

Good to see Italy go for it for the full 80 after their total capitulation after JJ's intercept try a fortnight ago.

Scotland had Italy on toast after 15 mins but switched off and let them back in. Fair play to Italy they took the chance and got right back into it.

Scotland certainly know how to make it hard for themselves.

Before the game I thought there was only 3 outcomes, win with performance, win without performance, and loss, but I was wrong. There were long spells of real quality, then lulls where Scotland had to readjust.

I think this performance would be enough to rely convince Scot fans that the potential is there, and no just them clammering for hope.

TJ wrote:Don't feed the trolls

I only saw the second half and the stats make for depressing reading with Italy well ahead on most figures.

17 tackles by Ickle Jonny and Hrdie, 14 by Taylor

Effing restarts!

Is the first half worth watching?

Definitely - we played well for large parts of it but let them back in.

Missed this - this is what Laidlaw was complaining to the ref about before the Russell yellow

https://twitter.com/manson44/status/703619217749385217?s=09

Was a pretty reckless clearout at best!

Well done Scotland. Not an easy place to get a win, lots of pressure but you came through. Good win.

Fanster wrote:Firstly, what are you talking about? Where and why have I been ridiculed for my outrageous comments that are the standard of 'Hogg is not the best 15 in the world'?

So my comments were that Vunipola is a 50 minute converted prop with poor work rate were they, please do me a favour and go find them, quote them to me and we will all have a laugh at me, I suspect somehow though once you unbunch your panties you'll realise my comments were nowhere near of that standard, just because I had th gall to offer an opinion other than the BBC's regurgatated 'Vunipola is a ball carrier = best 8 in the world'.

Put it this way, if a prop is 7/8 metres out and my fullback is covering, he doesn't buy a dummy and let said prop go over untouched.

Hogg is a cracking little player, but a world class FB is far better defencively, and under a high ball.

I also find it strange you try to ridicule me for claiming he isn't the best 15 in the world, then claim your comment was over the top and he's not the best 15 in the world, it's a curious thing to attack someone for an opinion you agree with.

My comment was intentionally over the top in its certainty due to the outrageous piece of skill he had pulled at the time. However I do completely believe he could start at 15 for any side in the world. So no, I do not agree with your attempt to ridicule.

You made the comment about Billy (among other things) in the Wales-Ireland game thread.  I do not care to go and look, but I remember it well.

Happy with that win.

Rory we've had our differences in the past but you have always been one of the better posters on here, hope the feeling is mutual despite disagreeing on some aspects of the game. Your praise for Hogg is admirable, he played well, but don't get into a discussion with Fanster though, he's hard work.

Scrum was absolutely immense and laid the platform for the win. I've never seen and Italian scrum get pumped like that by a Scottish team before.

Wilson surprised me too, by some distance his least useless performance for Scotland. Dickinson would have been my MOTM though a pillar of strength!

Thanks Radge, the feeling is mutual indeed.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Missed this - this is what Laidlaw was complaining to the ref about before the Russell yellow

https://twitter.com/manson44/status/703619217749385217?s=09

Was a pretty reckless clearout at best!

Nothing wrong with that

TJ wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Missed this - this is what Laidlaw was complaining to the ref about before the Russell yellow

https://twitter.com/manson44/status/703619217749385217?s=09

Was a pretty reckless clearout at best!

Nothing wrong with that  

Disagree, lifted up and dropped.

Hard work, Hogg made a great line and sold the defender with an offload out the back door does not mean he'd start for any team in world rugby.

Your comment was either intentionally over the top, or you beleive it, if so stand by it.

You know I said no such thing, and by shying away from proving your accusation your highlighting your character, if you care enough to accuse me of slating a very good player, prove it, otherwise just apologise and raise your hands.

TJ wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Missed this - this is what Laidlaw was complaining to the ref about before the Russell yellow

https://twitter.com/manson44/status/703619217749385217?s=09

Was a pretty reckless clearout at best!

Nothing wrong with that  

Legs were lifted up and he was dumped - a bit more than nothing!

Serious question. Why do certain posters feel the need to come in and sh!t over everything. They are making this place less and less appealing

Fanster wrote:Hard work, Hogg made a great line and sold the defender with an offload out the back door does not mean he'd start for any team in world rugby.

Your comment was either intentionally over the top, or you beleive it, if so stand by it.

You know I said no such thing, and by shying away from proving your accusation your highlighting your character, if you care enough to accuse me of slating a very good player, prove it, otherwise just apologise and raise your hands.

As you have decided to attack my character:

"Couldn't disagree more, Falatau has proved over and over that he posesses far more than just 50 mins of carrying of Vunipola... "

"So let me get this straight, you honestly beleive Morgan and Vunipola are better 8's than Toby Falatua? I'd personally be looking at Thomas the tank over these 2 for England, neither are particularly rounded or decent ball players, theyre 2 very similar powerfull ball carriers who a) become ineffective at ruck time easily, and b) struggle to last beyond 50 minutes like props. Vunipola is a very good player, but he's been pitted against Falatau numerous times in numerous ways, Falatau is the best 8 in europe."

https://www.606v2.com/t61896p150-6n-2016-ireland-v-wales-7-february

cakeordeath wrote:Serious question. Why do certain posters feel the need to come in and sh!t over everything. They are making this place less and less appealing

the bet thing to do is ignore them and report the more obvious troll comments.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

TJ wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Missed this - this is what Laidlaw was complaining to the ref about before the Russell yellow

https://twitter.com/manson44/status/703619217749385217?s=09

Was a pretty reckless clearout at best!

Nothing wrong with that  

Legs were lifted up and he was dumped - a bit more than nothing!

Looked a bit more on second look - but still no pen IMO.    He threw him like a ragdoll if anything

TJ wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:Serious question. Why do certain posters feel the need to come in and sh!t over everything. They are making this place less and less appealing

the bet thing to do is ignore them and report the more obvious troll comments.

I am not even convinced they are trolls, I think they are just myopic and deluded

TJ wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:Serious question. Why do certain posters feel the need to come in and sh!t over everything. They are making this place less and less appealing

the bet thing to do is ignore them and report the more obvious troll comments.

Ah sounds like a perfect time for me to join the discussion

TJ wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:Serious question. Why do certain posters feel the need to come in and sh!t over everything. They are making this place less and less appealing

the bet thing to do is ignore them and report the more obvious troll comments.

Boom

Rory / Fanster - you won't be surprised to hear that we're reallynot that interested in all this.

Let's keep this just about the game eh?

TJ wrote:Looked a bvit more on second look - but still no pen IMO.    He threw him like a ragdoll if anything

I agree, not enough to warrant a penalty for me either

RDW_Scotland wrote:Rory / Fanster - you won't be surprised to hear that we're reallynot that interested in all this.

Let's keep this just about the game eh?

The "edinburgh front row" is a thing to be feared and the cornerstone of this Scotland team. They have at least achieved parity with the opposition in every game they have played together and have dominated the best in the world. Both Dickinson and Nel played well today.

If Ford could get his lineout throwing up to par whats the chances of them going as a unit on the next lions tour? How many more years can we get out of these guys? Both Ford and Dickinson are in that "Prime for a frontrow" age Bracket.

Prothero wrote:The "edinburgh front row" is a thing to be feared and the cornerstone of this Scotland team. They have at least achieved parity with the opposition in every game they have played together and have dominated the best in the world. Both Dickinson and Nel played well today.

If Ford could get his lineout throwing up to par whats the chances of them going as a unit on the next lions tour? How many more years can we get out of these guys? Both Ford and Dickinson are in that "Prime for a frontrow" age Bracket.

Ford is a steady performer but there are better Lions hookers out there. His lack of dynamism is a concern but there's no doubt he contributes to the scrum effort.

Dickinson has signed a 2 year deal so should still be playing by the Lions your, and Nel will be coming right into his prime.

Watched some of the highlights and I'm pleased with this.

I didn't buy into any of the pre-game media cobblers about this game being cosmically significant because some rugby history statistician thought it was.

What is clear is that we've improved our performances for a second game in a row and there was some invention and a few quality scores. That's fine.

Ireland played very well in the second half against England today but certainly still looked containable, particularly the kent faces that they have missing at present. France, who knows. But two wins are potentially achievable. Let's take the MacNuggets and move on.