Test Rugby: Italy v England

07.02.2009
Italy v England at Twickenham

Just imagine England getting the fright of their life. Just imagaine Italy creating another chapter in the horror story that is England test rugby at the moment. Can Italy upset England at Twickenham in the first 6 Nations encounter for 2009?
What do you think? Post your comments here now.

Preview
England must win this game and win it well if they are to begin to erase the horror of their Autumn campaign. England lost to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand by wide margins, leaving their fans bewildered after the euphoria of the change of direction expected under Martin Johnson. Places in the British and Irish Lions will also be up for grabs at the end of the 6 Nations Tournament. England need to perform consistantly well if they are to command a presence in that squad. There is still that fragility and brittleness about this side and the inclusion of Andy Goode, so long out of the mix, has an air of uncertainty about the side.

Last Five Test Matches
29.11.2008 v New Zealand at Twickenham Lost 6-32
22.11.2008 v South Africa at Twickenham Lost 6-42
15.11.2008 v Australia at Twickenham Lost 14-28
08.11.2008 v Pacific Islands at Twickenham Won 39-13
21.06.2008 v New Zealand (2nd test) at Christchurch Lost 12-44

Italy have a steady and developing (still?) look about their squad. They have built their pack into one of the most formidable in the world with a huge number of very experienced players. It is in the backs and especially the inside backs that Italy has weaknesses. For this game, the lack of depth at scrum half sees the placing of a loose forward in this position. They have yet to make any real impact in the 6 Nations tournament since joining in 2000. Their rugby fans would be looking for a rise in standards of play and consistency in results. If ever Italy can knock the Poms over this could be their chance.

Last Five Tests played
22.11.2008 v Pacific Islands at Reggio Emilia Lost 17-25
15.11.2008 v Argentina at Turin Lost 14-22
08.11.2008 v Australia in Padova Lost 20-30
28.06.2008 v Argentina in Cordoba Won 13-12
21.06.2008 v South Africa in Capetwon Lost 0-26

Last Five Encounters England v Italy
10.02.2008 England 23-19 in Rome (6 Nations)
10.02.2007 England 20-7 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
11.02.2006 England 31-16 in Rome (6 Nations)
12.03.2005 England 39-7 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
15.02.2004 England 50-9 in Rome (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-England 5th, Italy 10th
Europe Table-England 2nd, Italy 5th

Prediction: Italy by 7 points.

Teams

England
15 Delon Armitage (London Irish) Age 24, 4 tests
14 Paul Sackey (London Wasps) 29, 19
13 James Noon (Newcastle) 29, 37
12 Riki Flutey (London Wasps) 28, 4
11 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks) 28, 24
10 Andrew Goode (CA Brive, France) 28, 9
9 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers) 26, 22
8 Nicholas Easter (Harlequins) 33, 20
7 Steffon Armitage (London Irish) 23, 0
6 James Haskell (London Wasps) 23, 12
5 Nicholas Kennedy (London Irish) 27, 2
4 Steven Borthwick, Capt. (Saracens) 28, 44
3 Phillip Vickery (London Wasps) 32, 68
2 Lee Mears (Bath Rugby) 29, 28
1 Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks) 29, 27
Replacements
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) 22, 4
17 Julian White (Leicester Tigers) 35, 44
18 Thomas Croft (Leicester Tigers) 22, 8
19 Joseph Worsley (London Wasps) 31, 66
20 Benjamin Foden (Northampton Saints) 23, 0
21 Shane Geraghty (London Irish) 22, 2
22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) 22, 24
Head Coach: Martin Johnson

Goode last played for England v South Africa in November 2006, whilst 35 year old White makes a comeback after last appearing for England v Wales in the 6 Nations match of 2007. Geraghty also last appeared for England v Wales in 2007.
Trinidadian born Steffon Armitage in the starting XV and Foden from the bench will make their test debuts.
On the injured list: Daniel Care, Michael Tindall

Italy
15 Andrea Masi (Biarritz, France) 27, 45
14 Kane Robertson (Viadana) 28, 35
13 Gonzalo Canale (Clermont Auvergne, France) 26, 42
12 Gonzalo Garcia (Calvisano) 24, 5
11 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais, France) 25, 56
10 Andrea Marcato (Benetton Treviso) 25, 11
9 Mauro Beragamasco (Stade Francais, France) 29, 67
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt (Stade Francais, France) 25, 57
7 Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano) 24, 26
6 Joshua Sole (Viadana) 28, 33
5 Marco Bortolami (Gloucester, England) 28, 70
4 Santiago Dellapé (Toulon, France) 30, 52
3 Martin Castrogiovani (Leicester Tigers, England) 27, 54
2 Fabio Ongaro (Saracens, England) 31, 58
1 Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse, France) 30, 55
Replacements
16 Carlo Festuccia (Racing Metro, France) 28, 45
17 Carlos Nieto (Gloucester, England) 32, 29
18 Tommaso Reato (Rovigo) 23, 6
19 Jean-Francois Montauriol (Casinò di Venezia) 24, 0
20 Giulio Toniolatti (Almaviva UR Capitolina) 24, 1
21 Luke McLean (Calvisano) 21, 3
22 Matteo Pratichetti (Calvisano) 23, 10
Head Coach: Nik Mallett

Mauro Beragamasco’s selection at scrum half, after spending most of his international career on the side of the scrum, is a very rare occurrence of a forward being selected as a back at this level of international rugby.

Referee: mark Lawrence (South Africa)