Italy v Ireland

**TRF_Cymro** · 03-12-10, 11:40 AM

Venue: Stadio Flaminio
Date: Saturday 5th February 2011
Kick Off: 2:30pm GMT

**Forum Ad** · 03-12-10 11:40 AM

**lynam1104** · 03-12-10, 11:43 AM

Hmm a bit early maybe? but i can only see this going 1 way.

**Teh Mite** · 03-12-10, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by lynam1104

Hmm a bit early maybe? but i can only see this going 1 way.

Yeah, the firey and passonate Italians rip the old Irish wrinkleys to bits!

**IRFU** · 03-12-10, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bullitt

Yeah, the firey and passonate Italians rip the old Irish wrinkleys to bits!

Yeah, Not looking forward to seeing Irish defeat in this one

**munstermuffin** · 03-12-10, 06:43 PM

Are you serious putting this thread up already

**durbutter** · 04-12-10, 01:34 AM

Yeah after the Nuclear holocaust, lets see if the itailans can manage the rugged, deformed irish players?

**madflyhalf** · 04-12-10, 09:50 AM

No, because we would be deformed too...

**TRF_Saints** · 04-12-10, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by munstermuffin

Are you serious putting this thread up already

Why not?

**cmac95** · 04-12-10, 12:29 PM

Why is this up so early it's not an interesting match either

**MunsterMan** · 04-12-10, 12:44 PM

Anybody want to name their team, on form for this one?

If Peter O'Mahony doesn't start it is a joke!

**TRF_Saints** · 04-12-10, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by cmac95

Why is this up so early it's not an interesting match either

Again, why not? You've seen fit to comment on the thread so you're justifying its presence!

**snoopy snoopy dog dog** · 04-12-10, 01:45 PM

If the Irish team was selected on form and the game took place tomorrow, I'd start Ronan O'Gara instead of Jonny Sexton. Sexton had a shocker last night but in general he's been no more than average for the last 5 or 6 weeks. Declan Kidney was right to go with the Leinster player during the November series and now he's started against all the major test nations. Now that Sexton has that experience, Kidney can select on form.

That's why I think the November series was a wasted opportunity. Players like Sean O'Brien are no nearer to gaining proper test experience. In O'Briens case, he deserved to be there on form as well as for player development reasons.

**munstermuffin** · 04-12-10, 01:59 PM

Snoop on the AI's would you think O'Brien, Johne Murphy and maybe even Keith Earls suffered from being versatile. While I agree Sexton has been poorish the last few weeks I think him and ROG now have balance where ROG will always be better player coming on for last 20.

But on form Best, Wallace, D'Arcy, Trimble (not because I critic him alot) and Kearney shouldn't have been starters. There were better form players in their positions and well this squad has to develope a competitiveness. It won't happen if people feel secure. Stringer and Sexton were paired for last game but this shouldve been done 2 weeks earlier.

**King_D'Arcy** · 04-12-10, 03:12 PM

When's the line up being announced for this match? Vintage Dec; leaving it to the last minute.

**coonor** · 04-12-10, 04:58 PM

I think Sexton has played well. Making his tackles, kicking his goals and creating alot in the back. Last night was a poor game but everyone has bad games. I think it'sgreat that we have two very good Fly Halves and I see what you mean as O'Gara has been playing well so really I don't mind who Kidney selects at the moment.

**cmac95** · 04-12-10, 05:07 PM

I agree 10 should be picked on Heineken cup form and beforethe AI's Sexton played better against Metro and Saracens than O'Gara against Irish and Toulon

**munstermuffin** · 04-12-10, 07:17 PM

Cmac95 how can you say Sexton was better than ROG in first 2 H'Cup games. That is nonsense but I would say the current arrangement of our 10s is correct.

**coonor** · 04-12-10, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by munstermuffin

Cmac95 how can you say Sexton was better than ROG in first 2 H'Cup games. That is nonsense but I would say the current arrangement of our 10s is correct.

I agree. I think both of our fly halves are as good as each other, they just have different styles which is great. Sexton is better in defence (although O'Gara has tackled well this season so far) and he creates alot in the backs with a brilliant pass and strong runs. While O'Gara is one of the best tactical kickers in the world and he has experience. Both players have also been kicking for posts well.

**munstermuffin** · 05-12-10, 01:05 AM

As you point out coonor it hard to compare when they are different. But Sexton's style is better to start and well ROG as you said is 1 of best tactical kickers in world and his style is perfect for closing games out etc.

**Amobokoboko** · 05-12-10, 06:45 AM

I hope to see Bergamasco score some tries.

**Byrner** · 07-12-10, 06:17 PM

Based on form I think Mike Ross should start at tighthead.Buckley is good in the loose but Ireland need a destructive scrummager and Ross gives them that.

**Amobokoboko** · 15-12-10, 06:23 PM

a bit of topic but is Mauro Bergamasco still playing for the Italian national team.
I thought I read somewhere he needed an operation on his shoulder and he might miss the first part of the 6N.
Could anybody confirm this?

Cheers.

**Conal** · 15-12-10, 06:34 PM

he played in the last 6 nations
dont see why he would have been dropped in the nov tests
so if he is fir i assume he plays for italy

**Zaney182** · 15-12-10, 08:02 PM

Ireland looking poor at the moment well be lucky to finish third.I say its time to give the youth of Ireland a chance especially against the Italians.In the Autumn series why did we start mick O'driscoll ahead of toner?

**munstermuffin** · 15-12-10, 08:33 PM

Thing that worries me is the 2 teams coming to the Aviva are England and France. Both are capable of hurting us at home. And our away games will all be tough affairs.

**Amobokoboko** · 16-12-10, 03:48 PM

Yeah will be a good 6 N series.

**danit** · 17-12-10, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by bates

a bit of topic but is Mauro Bergamasco still playing for the Italian national team.
I thought I read somewhere he needed an operation on his shoulder and he might miss the first part of the 6N.
Could anybody confirm this?

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Conal

he played in the last 6 nations
dont see why he would have been dropped in the nov tests
so if he is fir i assume he plays for italy

confirmed, he underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder, will miss the whole 6N (so as Craig Gower)

**ORothlain** · 17-12-10, 11:53 AM

How's it not an interesting match? You've got the Italians, who continue to improve every nano-second, coming to knock the **** out of their Magner's League rivals on an international platform. I dare to say that any match right now with Italy is a great one, because you don't quite know what to expect from them. They put up a really good fight during their fall internationals.
Also, I think we're all wondering if Ireland can fix their lack of finishing power. No other team spends that much time near the try line without crossing over.

**ckell** · 17-12-10, 03:55 PM

Have to disagree with you there mate, every game with Italy is dour. They may be getting more competitive but they've still only beaten Scotland and I think Wales once aswell. Not saying games against them are easy but it just feels as if there's an inevitibility about them.

**Amobokoboko** · 18-12-10, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by danit

confirmed, he underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder, will miss the whole 6N (so as Craig Gower)

Any change he will be able to play some games near the end of the Top14 season?

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