Italian squad for first two matches named

[Gavin]

Italy squad:


Forwards: Robert Barbieri (Treviso), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/ENG), Carlo Del Fava (Aironi), Santiago Dellape (Racing Metro/FRA), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Aironi), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro/FRA), Fabio Ongaro (Aironi), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/FRA - capt), Salvatore Perugini (Aironi), Ignacio Rouyet (Treviso), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso)


Backs: Tommaso Benvenuti (Treviso), Mirco Bergamasco (Racing Metro/FRA), Kristopher Burton (Treviso), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/FRA), Pablo Canavosio (Aironi), Gonzalo Garcia (Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Treviso), Andrea Masi (Racing Metro/FRA), Luke McLean (Treviso), Luciano Orquera (Brive/FRA), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso)

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6667860,00.html

 

[Conal]

doesnt strike fear int me really

 

[Gavin]

Ok think of a starting XV like this then -

1. Perugini (Aironi) / Lo Cicero (Racing Metro)
2. Ghiraldini (Treviso)
3. Castrogiovanni (Leicester)
4. Dellape (Racing Metro)
5. Del Fava (Aironi)
6. Derbyshire (Treviso)
7. Zanni (Treviso)
8. Parisse (Stade Francais)
9. Canavosio (Aironi)
10. Burton (Treviso) / Orquera (Brive)
11. Bergamasco (Racing Metro)
12. Masi (Racing Metro)
13. Canale (Clermont)
14. Sgarbi (Treviso)
15. McLean (Treviso)

Just take a look at that forward pack for Italy. It is one strong unit. Though they will need to sort out a quality fly-half.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think Gower is really going to be missed this season, he provided at least some creativity and energy in the backs, as well as creativity and energy in his alcohol fueled incidents off the field of play.

 

[Duckdee]

I thought Gower was Italy's biggest problem. (Behind Mirco's discipline.)

 

[Melhor Time]

Ok think of a starting XV like this then -

1. Perugini (Aironi) / Lo Cicero (Racing Metro)
2. Ghiraldini (Treviso)
3. Castrogiovanni (Leicester)
4. Dellape (Racing Metro)
5. Del Fava (Aironi)
6. Derbyshire (Treviso)
7. Zanni (Treviso)
8. Parisse (Stade Francais)
9. Canavosio (Aironi)
10. Burton (Treviso) / Orquera (Brive)
11. Bergamasco (Racing Metro)
12. Masi (Racing Metro)
13. Canale (Clermont)
14. Sgarbi (Treviso)
15. McLean (Treviso)

Just take a look at that forward pack for Italy. It is one strong unit. Though they will need to sort out a quality fly-half.

I think its a pretty good side. I am a Gower fan personally but he will never reach his potential until he speaks better Italian! From the 24 I would go for the following

1 Rouyet, 2 Ghiraldini, 3 Castrogiovanni
4 Dellape, 5 Geldenhuys
6 Barbieri, 8 Parisse, 7 Zanni

9 Canavosio, 10 Orquera
12 Garcia, 13 Canale
11 Bergamasco, 15 McLean, 14 Masi

BTW 8 of the 24 are from Argentina.

http://rugbyworldcup-argentina2023.blogspot.com/2011/01/argentina-players-named-in-italian-six.html

As pointed out, not a team to scare but they did knock over Italy and compete well vs both Argentina and Australia. Their centre pairing is their strong point in the backs while their scrum looks pretty rock-solid. I can see issues at lineout time but an improved backrow.

 

[Feicarsinn]

We'd have them everywhere except the front row. Pick Mike Ross and it should be handy enough. While I do like Italy, they're unbelievably one dimensional. No threat out wide.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I really hope they can win some games.

 

[danit]

it will probably be the worse 6N ever for Italy, just a few players are having a decent season, most of them are actually playing shite