[2015 Six Nations] Italy vs Ireland (Round 1)

[Leonormous Boozer]

Aye, Murray is looking like his 2011 self... Not good. Keats has been ok, started shaky and has calmed down a bit and not done much wrong. Centres and back three need to be brought into the game more because that's where we are the better side.

 

[TheSaffycen]

You guys need a second play maker IMO. Move Madigan into the centre's and get the ball moving fast and wide.

 

[munstermuffin]

If Madigan comes on will it be 10. Keatley has done well and if he's replaced I'd understand but I think this centre partnership isn't answer so maybe try Madigan and Keatley together with a Henshaw/Payne at 13. It's not the 10s fault centres aren't in game. We are very pedestrian looking up front b

 

[big ginger 8]

Very early to have Cronin on, wonder if there's anything wrong with Best. Could certainly use Cronin's carrying though.

 

[Bluemoon]

Barbini does not look like an international blindside, very slight. He will have to prove me wrong.

Ireland are in a bit more control of the ball in this half, but still feel they are a little rudderless.

 

[big ginger 8]

That knock on is ridiculously annoying, but surely McClean/Campangaro was offside?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Very early to have Cronin on, wonder if there's anything wrong with Best. Could certainly use Cronin's carrying though.

Think he took a knock to his head.

 

[profitius]

Ireland doing their best to butcher chances.

 

[munstermuffin]

Zebo showing there in last 2 he can pass well. But Payne is better out wider as a 15

 

[big ginger 8]

I'm going to personally fly to Italy and punch the next player to knock on with the line at their mercy.

Moore on at the expected time.

Good to see Zebo getting into the game.

 

[Peat]

Couple of glimmers of this becoming more than a stilbirth of a game...

 

[Groundhog]

Plodder

 

[big ginger 8]

One more score and I expect to see Henderson on for PO'C.

 

[ratsapprentice]

And now for something completely different...

I think Italy are crying out for a Schmidt/Cotter character.

 

[LittleGuy]

Absolutely dour game and can't be excused by conditions either which seem acceptable. Even a 12-3 Ireland lead looks very comfortable with 20+ to go, barring some sort of real screw up or magical break from an Italian back for a try this one looks already to be in cruise control mode.

 

[HenryChinaski]

Really unimpressed with the Italy 10, sadly.

 

[LittleGuy]

Really unimpressed with the Italy 10, sadly.

Same here he really wasted one of Italy's few attacks in the first half with a stupid up and under, and doesn't look to be any better than the stiff's they've had here lately, even guys like Burton could at least kick well.

 

[big ginger 8]

Cue, George Hook giving out that the ref is biased towards the Irish.

Good to finally get it. Nice move with Murphy.

 

[ruggabee]

Kearney looks so good running sideways.

I was fearing that we'd see little development from our conservative style of play in November. Looks like we're still a 10 man style team. If we don't change that, the other top teams are going to figure us out.

 

[Tony Manx]

Really unimpressed with the Italy 10, sadly.

and with Ireland......the odds on favourites!!!

 

[LittleGuy]

Might be a chance for Ireland now with the man advantage, that yellow card should end this as a contest.

 

[big ginger 8]

What a try! Probablt helped by poor tackling but still fantastic. Well picked out by Mads and good intial carry by Hendo.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hate this game

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah the rugby hasn't been great but what were people expecting?

We're missing Healy, SO'B, Heaslip and Sexton as in those who give us go forward and our main playmaker. This is also the way it always is for us against Italy. Keep the scoreboard ticking over before breaking them down.

I'm quite happy with this really, not really a good performance but Murray's got through his return ok and have got to take key players off earlyish.

 

[ruggabee]

Meh. I'm gona bring in the clothes.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why go for the crossfield then?

 

[munstermuffin]

As predicted subs make huge impact when Italians tire a bit and game opens up.
It was a professional job by Ireland and now let's close it out

 

[Tony Manx]

A Championship side would give this Italian side a good beating and unless Ireland can stick at least another 30 pints on them in the last quarter, they could well up with the smallest winning margin against the Italians this season.

Playing like this, Italy could end up leaking more than 250 points in total!!!

They can be summed up as NAAFI

- No Aim Ambition or F..... Intelligence

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That Irish 12 has been crap.
Hands like tits and no penetration, not sure what he's supposed to be offering.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Review of the game is up here: http://fourballsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/italy-vs-ireland-review.html