Eng vs. Ita - Match Thread

[Banquo]

Would all the GP teams beat Italy? Just trying to rationalise the post-match analysis. I certainly think we could pick a second 23 to expect to beat their present team.

The step up from club to international rugby is actually really high. I reckon the top teams could manage, but I think most of the Premiership teams would lose.

Ireland fielded an 'a' team and were run relatively close.

[morepork]

Cocky much?

[Banquo]

Cocky much?

eh?

[morepork]

Cocky much?

eh?

GP> Italian side

[Banquo]

Cocky much?

eh?

GP> Italian side

ah ok, yes that does seem a stretch, hence my point on Ireland struggling with half a first team.

[Stom]

Cocky much?

eh?

GP> Italian side

Well yes, but only Dors suggested that. I do think Exeter and Saracens would push even France close, though. But most of that is due to being better drilled.

[Banquo]

eh?

GP> Italian side

Well yes, but only Dors suggested that. I do think Exeter and Saracens would push even France close, though. But most of that is due to being better drilled.

Throw Dors under the bus, why don't you

[p/d]

A side with Joe Ford leading the line would struggle to get back to back wins against a championship side let alone Italy

[Oakboy]

GP> Italian side

Well yes, but only Dors suggested that. I do think Exeter and Saracens would push even France close, though. But most of that is due to being better drilled.

Throw Dors under the bus, why don't you

Bloody hell, first I get banned, now this!

[Stom]

Well yes, but only Dors suggested that. I do think Exeter and Saracens would push even France close, though. But most of that is due to being better drilled.

Throw Dors under the bus, why don't you

Bloody hell, first I get banned, now this!

Well, I wouldn't want you to get too settled in again, would I...

[Oakboy]

Throw Dors under the bus, why don't you

Bloody hell, first I get banned, now this!

Well, I wouldn't want you to get too settled in again, would I...

Bad penny aand all that . . .

[Spiffy]

Cocky much?

eh?

GP> Italian side

The current Italian side consists predominantly of players from two Italian Pro 14 clubs - Benetton and Zebre. Benetton are doing quite well this season but Zebre are ordinary at best. Only a few of the squad come from outside that pool. These are pretty lean resources for an international team. Italy does have some good individual players, especially in the backs, but the team as a whole never looks that well organized.
Scotland are in much the same boat, with most of the squad coming from Glasgow/Edinburgh, plus a few like Russell,McGuigan, Maitland, from other leagues. They can muster a decent team when all are fit, but lack strength in depth. Unfortunate that they will be without several first choice players for their match with England this weekend. Certainly takes the edge off the contet and makes a Scottish win very unlikely.

[Digby]

The outcome of Italy vs a prem side could well hinge on the ref, which is to say would it be played under test or premiership laws when they diverge so much?

[Stom]

The outcome of Italy vs a prem side could well hinge on the ref, which is to say would it be played under test or premiership laws when they diverge so much?

Good point.

[Oakboy]

In raising the subject of relative standard of GP v Italy, I was suggesting that any credit or debit implied for players' performances in the Italy game were more or less on a par with performances for their club. Whether Italy should be in the 6N etc. is a different debate.

[Digby]

The outcome of Italy vs a prem side could well hinge on the ref, which is to say would it be played under test or premiership laws when they diverge so much?

Good point.

And Mells said it'd never happen

The highly unpublished changes this season to allow attack to hold onto the ball for as long as they want probably wouldn't help Italy, but not everyone is Exeter