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Six Nations Rugby: Do Italy Have a Chance Against Injury-Ravaged Ireland?
Published: February 4, 2011
In the tournament's second game, Italy—wooden spoonists of the last three competitions—take on an injury-depleted Ireland.
Italy overview
There are two ways of looking at Italian rugby.
One is that, like Bangladesh in cricket, they made a good case for being admitted to a competition that they were not ready for yet. They lack world class players and have struggled in every Six Nations.
That said, though, if they are going to beat Ireland then this is their best chance.
Italian pack
Last season, they were without their one truly great player, Sergio Parisse.
This year, the former captain is back at No. 8 and will be the man whom everything revolves around.
Martin Castrogiovanni and Santiago Dellape are not far behind him in pure positional ability, but both lack that extra bit of class that makes a standout player. The rest of the pack is comprised of journeymen who would struggle to make most Premiership teams.
Italian backs
The back line is the usual Italian mix of natives, plus displaced Argentines and antipodeans.
Gonzalo Canale is the one truly decent player, although Mirco Bergamasco remains a threat with both his kicking and running from deep.
Irish overview
Like England, Ireland could probably pick a full team from the players they have missing and injured: Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Rob Kearney, Geordan Murphy, Tommy Bowe—the list goes on and on.
If you had to pick a team to play with an injury depleted side, though, it would be Italy and although this will be a testing game for th...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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