Six Nations Ireland v Italy Preview
08 Feb 2018
Last week there was no more inspiring sight than Johnny Sexton unlatching his boot and sending over an almighty, long-range drop-goal. However, you must acknowledge that France missed a kick of their own to take the game, while Ireland could not score any tries on their way to the 15-13 win.
Italy, on the other hand, may have conceded seven scores to England, but looked like they have added a splash of fluidity to their attack. Twice they dotted down in the 15-46 loss to England, with Tommaso Benvenuti and Mattia Bellini darting through.
The key battle areas
Italy may have to prepare for many kinds of chasing to survive at the Aviva. Ireland have selected a back-row with Dan Leavy and Jack Conan in it, Leinster players capable of hitting lines or simply opening the legs. And with the players Ireland have in their back-three plus Robbie Henshaw there are men all over the park who can compete for kicks. With Sexton’s boot and the box-kicking brilliance of Conor Murray launching the ball, there could be a lot of fielding involved. Former Ireland full-back Conor O’Shea and his assistant coach Mike Catt should have the Italians well prepared for kick returns – and O’Shea will want no stone unturned with this being the first time he takes a Test side to face Ireland in Dublin.
Italy’s front-row is now made up of the inexperienced trio of Nicola Quaglio, Luca Bigi and Simone Ferrari face the formidable triumvirate of Jack McGrath, Rory Best and Tadgh Furlong. Italy have Leonardo Ghiraldini on the bench, but then Ireland have Sean Cronin and Cian Healy on theirs, two wily and hungry players, happy to be back at the sharp end with Ireland.
James Ryan was impressive in the Irish boiler-house last week but drops out of the squad altogether due to a knock, leaving the door open for lineout specialist Devin Toner to return, freeing up Iain Henderson from any responsibility there so he can focus on smacking opposition. Which will be needed. Last week Tommaso Boni was hyperactive in attack, with the centre proving difficult to shepherd into a typical running line or bring down straight away. With Tommaso Allan playing close to the gain-line and looking happy to pass flat, over or under players, and with Tommaso Castello always chuffed to run a direct line and tie up tacklers, there should be plenty of moving targets.
Of course the benches of both teams will have an influence and again the idea of chasing comes back in again. Because while Italy may be more confident in attack, when a freshly introduced Cronin drags defenders into wide channels and then CJ Stander comes on and takes a few men to drag him down, everyone in the stadium could be up on their feet to see substitute and debutant Jordan Larmour get the ball in his hands with gaps opening up.
The Fixture
Saturday 10 February, 2.15pm, Aviva Stadium
The Teams
Ireland :
Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Peter O’Mahony, Dan Leavy, Jack Conan.
Replacements:
Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, CJ Stander, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.
Italy:
Matteo Minozzi, Tommaso Benvenuti, Tommaso Boni, Tommaso Castello, Mattia Bellini, Tommaso Allan, Marcello Violi, Nicola Quaglio, Luca Bigi, Simone Ferrari, Alessandro Zanni, Dean Budd, Seb Negri, Braam Steyn, Sergio Parisse (captain).
Replacements:
Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Federico Ruzza, Maxime Mbanda, Edoardo Gori, Carlo Canna. Jayden Hayward.
