Six Nations 2017 Preview: The Only Way Is Up For Italy
Defence. Goal-kicking. Lack of depth. The problems facing Italy coach Conor O’Shea are legion, but he’s started in the right way, writes James Harrington.
What to look out for
The only way has to be up. The 2016 campaign quickly turned rotten for the Azzurri after the early promise of their opening encounter against France in Paris – a match they lost 23-21 after France had dragged themselves back from 18-10 down with an hour gone, and Sergio Parisse, of all people, dragged a late, late drop-goal attempt wide of the mark.
Strengths
The coaching set-up. Conor O’Shea is young and smart and has created a backroom team in his image. He faces a Sisyphean task to turn Italy into the rugby force they are desperate to be, but he could be the man to do it.
Weaknesses
Defence. Kicking. Lack of depth. Take your pick. Hence the near-vertical challenge ahead of O’Shea. He has moved to shore up Italy’s defensive frailties – hiring Brendan Venter as defence coach was a stroke of genius. But the lack of a consistent goalkicker since the days of Diego Dominguez remains a huge problem. As does the absence of strength in depth. The other nations have player reserves to call on in case of injury – Italy don’t, as their increasingly dismal 2016 campaign proved.
The Man in Charge
O’Shea is definitely talking the talk ahead of his first Six Nations – though reports coming out of South Africa that Venter may be prepared to walk out on his newly signed two-and-a-half year deal as defence coach to join the Springboks will be an unwelcome distraction so close to the start of this year’s competition.
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Player to Watch
Federico Ruzza. Even though everyone is talking about Exeter Chiefs’ midfield game-breaker Michele Campagnaro, the 22-year-old Zebre lock is the only uncapped player in a low-risk ‘continuity squad’ for coach O’Shea’s first Six Nations. The 6’6″, 17-stone forward, who is as comfortable at eight as he is in the boiler room, scored five tries in the Italian club’s generally back-pedalling Champions Cup campaign. Suggesting he could be the country’s long-term replacement for Sergio Parisse would put an unfair weight of expectation on the young man’s shoulders, but Italy need a future legend to hang their rugby dreams on as well as a current one.
Big Match
It has to be either one of Italy’s opening two games – at home first to Wales and then Ireland. They will have to play out of their skins and hope to catch either team napping. After that the tournament will be well under way, coaches and players will have their gameplans firmly in place, and the opportunity for a shock win should be gone.
Prediction
Sixth. Truthfully, the best Italy can hope for is that they are more competitive and consistent than they were in 2016 – and end up with a points difference somewhat better than -145. Challenging for more has to wait a while longer.
Squad
Forwards: Pietro Ceccarelli, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lovotti, Sami Panico, Tommaso D’Apice, Ornel Gega, Leonardo Ghiraldini, George Fabio Biagi, Joshua Furno, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Marco Barbini, Simone Favaro, Maxime Mata Mbanda, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse (c), Abraham Jurgens Steyn
Backs: Giorgio Bronzini, Edoardo Gori, Marcello Violi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti, Tommaso Boni, Michele Campagnaro, Luke McLean, Giulio Bisegni, Angelo Esposito, Giovambattista Venditti, Edoardo Padovan
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments