Italy v Ireland

[An Tarbh]

well it's the strongest pack we're gonna come up against so yeah they've got a point, you always hear the players saying that physically the Italian match is the toughest and it's not just a case of paying them lip service either.

 

[MunsterMan]

1. Horan
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. O'Callaghan
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Wallace
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary
10. O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald
12. Wallace
13. O'Driscoll
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

16. Best
17. Court
18. O'Kelly
19. Leamy
20. Stringer
21. D'arcy
22. Earls

If everybody is fit, I would be shocked to see any other team than that. O'Kelly, Stringer and Court are vulnerable as well as they were not used on Saturday but I would still be surprised if DK dropped them.

 

[An Tarbh]

suppose it all depends now on how Earls does in training this week but if fit I'd expect him to be included.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Feb 9 2009, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

If everybody is fit, I would be shocked to see any other team than that. O'Kelly, Stringer and Court are vulnerable as well as they were not used on Saturday but I would still be surprised if DK dropped them.[/b]

I agree with that. If the A game went ahead, these players quite possibly would be vulnerable to being dropped but the frozen pitch at Donnybrook has saved them. With relation to Tom Court, he'll remain the 3rd choice prop for the competition by virtue of the fact that he can play both sides of the scrum unlike most of our other props. Whether he'll be around next year is another matter.

The iRB are trying to come up with a solution to stop uncontested scrums. In my opinion, within the next year they'll decide teams must have 3 front rows on the bench (as is the case in the Top 14) and will increase squad sizes to 23. If that's the case, Court will drop down the pecking order since Cian Healy offers more impact as a replacement loosehead whereas Mike Ross is a better tighthead. Court's versatility won't be as necessary if a change is made with relation to the amount of subs on the bench.

 

[An Tarbh]

I don't understand why the Top14 initiative hasn't been initiated worldwide.

The players on the bench could well be vulnerable come the England game, although I'd still be surprised to see Kidney making many changes to the 22 unless injury forces his hand.

 

[Camberabero]

I expect Ireland to lead the match since the early minutes. Their gameplan is good and is too good for a proud italian side that wants to win the test.
Italian half backs will be Griffen & McLean, they usually play for Calvisano as scrum half and fullback.
Mallett needs a victory. Ireland wants to confirm they can win the championship.
I can't see how the Azzurri could recover and begin to play international rugby.
Hope the irish will play spectacular rugby, maybe this could help italian people to appreciate rugby.

 

[danit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 8 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

no choice but to go back on it, thing is though who is he more likely to start, Toniolati or Griffen?[/b]

we won't know 'til thursday, as Mallet postponed the official XV to feb 12 at noon

i hope Toniolatti but i'm not too confident Mallet has the same opinion... <_<

actually, other doubts in Italy XV are:
props: Perugini, Castrogiovanni, Nieto, either could start
locks: if Bortolami is fit he will play, Del Fava could be preferred to Dellapé due to his deeper knowledge of irish players
flyhalf: Marcato suffered concussion so according to IRB rules he should rest for at lest 3 weeks, reduced to 7 days "if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist", so he will be examined next saturday and, if response is good, could play on sunday, but officaly he will not be on the starting XV on thursday

if Marcato is not fit to play Mc Lean will be no. 10

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danit @ Feb 10 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 8 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no choice but to go back on it, thing is though who is he more likely to start, Toniolati or Griffen?[/b]

we won't know 'til thursday, as Mallet postponed the official XV to feb 12 at noon

i hope Toniolatti but i'm not too confident Mallet has the same opinion... <_<

actually, other doubts in Italy XV are:
props: Perugini, Castrogiovanni, Nieto, either could start
locks: if Bortolami is fit he will play, Del Fava could be preferred to Dellapé due to his deeper knowledge of irish players
flyhalf: Marcato suffered concussion so according to IRB rules he should rest for at lest 3 weeks, reduced to 7 days "if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist", so he will be examined next saturday and, if response is good, could play on sunday, but officaly he will not be on the starting XV on thursday

if Marcato is not fit to play Mc Lean will be no. 10
[/b][/quote]

I would have though McLean should play even if Marcato is fit, he looked sharp enough when he came on on Saturday. I thought that Bortolami was ruled out???

 

[danit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 10 2009, 03:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danit @ Feb 10 2009, 02:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 8 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no choice but to go back on it, thing is though who is he more likely to start, Toniolati or Griffen?[/b]

we won't know 'til thursday, as Mallet postponed the official XV to feb 12 at noon

i hope Toniolatti but i'm not too confident Mallet has the same opinion... <_<

actually, other doubts in Italy XV are:
props: Perugini, Castrogiovanni, Nieto, either could start
locks: if Bortolami is fit he will play, Del Fava could be preferred to Dellapé due to his deeper knowledge of irish players
flyhalf: Marcato suffered concussion so according to IRB rules he should rest for at lest 3 weeks, reduced to 7 days "if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist", so he will be examined next saturday and, if response is good, could play on sunday, but officaly he will not be on the starting XV on thursday

if Marcato is not fit to play Mc Lean will be no. 10
[/b][/quote]

I would have though McLean should play even if Marcato is fit, he looked sharp enough when he came on on Saturday. I thought that Bortolami was ruled out???
[/b][/quote]well, nothing is sure yet, i'm just trying to guess

btw. the official news from FIR today stated: "...lock Marco Bortolami conditions are sensibly improving, recovering from left knee hit. Today Bortolami had a regular gym training session, his definite conditions will be extimated after tomorrow training session..." "flyhalf Marcato, out after 30 mins of last saturday game due to a head concussion, has been kept precautionary at rest..."

http://www.federugby.it/news.asp?i=68205&s=2

 

[Quincey]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (danit @ Feb 10 2009, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 8 2009, 08:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

no choice but to go back on it, thing is though who is he more likely to start, Toniolati or Griffen?[/b]

we won't know 'til thursday, as Mallet postponed the official XV to feb 12 at noon

i hope Toniolatti but i'm not too confident Mallet has the same opinion... <_<

actually, other doubts in Italy XV are:
props: Perugini, Castrogiovanni, Nieto, either could start
locks: if Bortolami is fit he will play, Del Fava could be preferred to Dellapé due to his deeper knowledge of irish players
flyhalf: Marcato suffered concussion so according to IRB rules he should rest for at lest 3 weeks, reduced to 7 days "if the Player is symptom free and declared fit to play after appropriate assessment by a properly qualified and recognised neurological specialist", so he will be examined next saturday and, if response is good, could play on sunday, but officaly he will not be on the starting XV on thursday

if Marcato is not fit to play Mc Lean will be no. 10
[/b][/quote]

Why do you hope for Toniolatti? Do you think he has better skills than Griffen? Or you just want give a chance to a younger player?

 

[dundeesmiffy]

Is Griffen still kicking that funky doo?

 

[danit]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Quincey @ Feb 10 2009, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Why do you hope for Toniolatti? Do you think he has better skills than Griffen? Or you just want give a chance to a younger player?[/b]

both

i belive Toniolatti is better penetrating the difensive line and, at least actually (with Griffen 34), much quicker feeding the ball <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dundeesmiffy @ Feb 10 2009, 09:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Is Griffen still kicking that funky doo?[/b]

a recent pic of him

 

[dundeesmiffy]

The sideburns are what makes it so awesome.

3 cheers for facial hair.

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (dundeesmiffy @ Feb 10 2009, 10:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The sideburns are what makes it so awesome.

3 cheers for facial hair.[/b]

Hip Hip ... Hooray

Hip Hip ... Hooray

Hip Hip ... Hooray

 

[An Tarbh]

Ireland XV: 15. Kearney (Leinster), 14. Bowe (Ospreys), 13. O'Driscoll © (Leinster), 12. Wallace (Ulster), 11. Fitzgerald (Leinster), 10. O'Gara (Munster), 9. O'Leary (Munster), 1. Horan (Munster), 2. Flannery (Munster), 3. Hayes (Munster), 4. O'Callaghan (Munster), 5. O'Connell (Munster), 6. Ferris (Ulster), 7. Wallace (Munster), 8. Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements: 16. Best (Ulster), 17. Court (Ulster), 18. O'Kelly (Leinster), 19. Leamy (Munster), 20. Stringer (Munster), 21. D'Arcy (Leinster), 22. Murphy (Leicester)

No changes to the 22 for Ireland, wonder what the story is with Earls cause he's not in the A team either.

 

[monkeypigeon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Feb 11 2009, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Ireland XV: 15. Kearney (Leinster), 14. Bowe (Ospreys), 13. O'Driscoll © (Leinster), 12. Wallace (Ulster), 11. Fitzgerald (Leinster), 10. O'Gara (Munster), 9. O'Leary (Munster), 1. Horan (Munster), 2. Flannery (Munster), 3. Hayes (Munster), 4. O'Callaghan (Munster), 5. O'Connell (Munster), 6. Ferris (Ulster), 7. Wallace (Munster), 8. Heaslip (Leinster)

Replacements: 16. Best (Ulster), 17. Court (Ulster), 18. O'Kelly (Leinster), 19. Leamy (Munster), 20. Stringer (Munster), 21. D'Arcy (Leinster), 22. Murphy (Leicester)

No changes to the 22 for Ireland, wonder what the story is with Earls cause he's not in the A team either.[/b]

He probably isn't back to full fitness?
When's thet round of Magners League matches?
Wouldn't be surprised to see him making an appearance there.

 

[An Tarbh]

Munster play Edinburgh at Thomond on Saturday week, if he doesn't start then I'd be surprised if he sees any action for the rest of the tournament.

 

[elgringoborracho]

I'm a bit nostalgic right now. I was just thinking of that time when Troncon killed Stringer with a single punch (when was it exactly)? That day I realised that god's justice exists... It felt so perfect

 

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elgringoborracho @ Feb 11 2009, 03:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm a bit nostalgic right now. I was just thinking of that time when Troncon killed Stringer with a single punch (when was it exactly)? That day I realised that god's justice exists... It felt so perfect[/b]

always worth a search through the archives.

Troncon flattens Stringer

 

[Charles]

I know exactly what you mean, and I'm sure a lot of people feel just the way you do... It was magic...
It was in 2001 .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5XgSYdYgGc&eurl=