Rugby test Match: Ireland v Italy in Rome.

15.02.2009
Ireland v Italy in Rome

Preview
Silly me backed an Italian side that were so disorganised with a forward pressed in to playing halfback that they virtually gifted the match to England. I would love to see Italy cause a major upset. They have a pack that can hold, even dominate any opposition. But oh those backs!

This is a very experienced Italian side. 7 players have played in 50 or more tests whilst another 3 have 40 or more. But we have more tinkering and fiddling with the backline, Italy's wart. Now we have another half combination. This time 33 year old Paul Griffen has been recalled to partner Luke McLean who is yet to establish himself at fly half.

Ireland travel to Rome with a good win against France under their belt. On paper they should be too strong for the Italians. Is this Irish team the one that will threaten Wales in this competition? Much as I would love Italy to win I can't see it being against Ireland.

Last Five Encounters
02.02.2008 Ireland 16-11 in Dublin (6 Nations)
24.08.2007 Ireland 23-20 in Belfast (World Cup Warm Up)
17.03.2007 Ireland 51-24 in Rome (6 Nations)
04.02.2006 Ireland 26-16 in Dublin (6 Nations)
06.02.2005 Ireland 28-17 in Rome (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 7th, Italy 10th
Europe Table-Ireland 4th, Italy 5th

Prediction: Ireland by 8 points.

Teams

Italy
15 Andrea Masi (Biarritz Olympique, France) 27, 45
14 Kane Robertson (Viadana) 28, 36
13 Gonzalo Canale (Clermont Auvergne, France) 26, 43
12 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais, France) 25, 57
11 Matteo Pratichetti (Calvisano) 23, 13
10 Luke McLean (Calvisano) 21, 4
9 Paul Griffen (Calisano) 33, 38
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt (Stade Francais, France) 25, 58
7 Mauro Beragamasco (Stade Francais, France) 29, 70
6 Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano) 24, 27
5 Tommaso Reato (Rovigo) 23, 7
4 Santiago Dellapé (RC Toulon, France) 30, 53
3 Martin Castrogiovani (Leicester Tigers, England) 27, 55
2 Fabio Ongaro (Saracens, England) 31, 60
1 Salvatore Perugini (Stade Toulousain, France) 30, 56
Replacements
16 Carlo Festuccia (Racing Metro, France) 28, 46
17 Carlos Nieto (Gloucester, England) 32, 32
18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Ulster, Ireland) 27, 33
19 Joshua Sole (Viadana) 28, 34
20 Giulio Toniolatti (Capitolina) 24, 2
21 Gonzalo Garcia (Calvisano) 24, 6
22 Andrea Bacchetti (Rovigo) 20, New cap
Head Coach: Nik Mallett

Ireland
15 Robert Kearney (Leinster) Age 24, 12 tests
14 Tommy Bowe (Neath Swansea Ospreys, Wales) 24, 19
13 Brian O'Driscoll, Capt (Leinster) 29, 88
12 Patrick Wallace (Ulster) 29, 13
11 Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster) 21, 8
10 Ronan O'Gara (Munster) 31, 88
9 Tomas O'Leary (Munster) 25, 4
8 James Heaslip (Leinster) 24, 14
7 David Wallace (Munster) 32, 51
6 Stephen Ferris (Ulster) 23, 9
5 Paul O'Connell (Munster) 29, 58
4 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster) 29, 51
3 John Hayes (Munster) 35, 90
2 Jeremy Flannery (Munster) 30, 27
1 Marcus Horan (Munster) 31, 62
Replacements
16 Rory Best (Ulster) 26, 28
17 Thomas Court (Ulster) 28, New Cap
18 Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster) 34, 90
19 Denis Leamy (Munster) 27, 35
20 Peter Stringer (Munster) 31, 86
21 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster) 28, 38
22 Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers, England) 30, 59
Head Coach: Declan Kidney

For a complete list of all international rugby test matches played by both Italy and Ireland go to www.rugbyinternational.net