RBS 6 Nations Rugby: Italy To Battle Wales Without Parisse
Feb 20, 2013
The RBS Six Nations took a dramatic turn for Italy today, as their captain and talisman, Sergio Parisse was banned by French Rugby authorities for verbally abusing an official during a Top 14 fixture on February 16.
Parisse was shown a straight red card in that contest—he will now face a 30-day suspension, unless he files a successful appeal in the next 72 hours.
The star international No. 8 claimed that the incident was a misunderstanding, perhaps hinting that an appeal was indeed in store on his Twitter account.
I have no words to thank all of you, to believe in me, because you know I will never say something like that to a ref #thanks
Parisse's ban comes as a shocking blow to the Italians, who were looking to get their Six Nations campaign back on track when they host Wales this weekend at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.
In a commentary sure to fuel tensions ahead of this Saturday's action, Welsh defence coach Sean Edwards told the BBC that he wasn't surprised to hear about the Parisse suspension.
Funnily enough, we were watching footage on Friday from the [Six Nations] game [against Italy] last year and you can clearly hear him on the ref's mic coming out with profanities in the ref's earshot about what damage he was going to do to one of our players if he did the same thing again.
So, it's no surprise to me that he has been done for backchat to a referee.
After a very strong September showing against New Zealand, the Italians produced the largest shock to date in 2013 by defeating France in round one of this year's Six Nations. Had the Italians been able to follow up that win with a victory against the seemingly vulnerable Scots during round-two action in Edinburgh, they would have to have been considered favourites for this Saturday's battle against the Welsh.
As it sits, both Wales and Italy have claimed wins over the despondent French, and they are part of a four-way tie with Scotland and Ireland; clogging up the middle of the tournament table.
The stakes could hardly be higher.
In order to reward the group that performed so well against France, the Welsh management announced their intention to start the exact same lineup a full week ahead of schedule.
All eyes will now turn to the Italians to see what kind of performance they can muster on home ground without their talismanic captain to lead the way.
Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), George North (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Toulon), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Tipuric (Ospreys).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath), Craig Mitchell (Exeter) Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
Rugby World Cup 2011: Italy vs. Russia Preview and Prediction
Sep 19, 2011
After Ireland's surprise win over Australia, tomorrow's match between Italy and Russia takes on added importance.
Most rugby fans expected Australia to win Pool C outright, leaving the final match between Ireland and Italy on October 2, as the winner-take-second decider, to see who advances to the quarterfinals.
But with the new tick in the loss column for the Wallabies, Italy has a real shot at advancing, but they must beat the Russians. Not only do they have to beat them, they have to beat them convincingly, in order to rack up as many bonus points as possible.
To ensure they score more than the six points they managed to scrape together versus Australia, Italy will rely on their forwards and pressure on the Russian scrum as a way to manufacture points. That should work in their favor. Italy is a strong team and their scrum may be their best weapon.
They are also effective in line-outs, which Russia must take note of, after their trouble getting the ball in play against the United States. The USA won most line-outs over Russia and even stole a few right out of the Russians hands.
But the Russians do not plan on rolling over for the Italians. They wanted to beat the United States and failed, now they have a chance to avenge the loss against the Italians and are playing with nothing to lose. That chip on their shoulder could serve them well.
Prediction: Though Russia will come out aggressive and ready to fight, the more experienced and seasoned Italians, under the direction of head coach Nick Mallett, will come away with the win, keeping their quarterfinal chances alive and kicking. Italy wins, 27-11.
The Future of Italian Rugby
Mar 19, 2009
As we prepare to enter the final week of this year's Six Nations Tournament, there are a few questions about the state of European rugby that could be asked and debated.
Thanks to our good friend Jeremy over at Heaven's Game, we are able to bring the conversation to you, the fans.
Today, Heaven's Game is discussing the state of Italian rugby, something that is oddly close to my heart. In many ways the Italian rugby program reminds me of the US Eagles program here in the states. However, that is a conversation for another day.
The headlines have been scathing about Wales' abject performance in Rome, despite their victory. On the face of things, the result was hardly unexpected.
Many changes to combinations in international rugby are a dangerous risk against a team in Italy that is always capable of a very good performance. Just ask Australia after their match in November 2008.
The Welsh management will be relatively happy with the result behind closed doors. They have tested their squad strength in a competitive, hostile environment. They have seen that when under pressure their big-name players were able to produce the quality they needed, and that some of their squad players need more game time.
Throughout the match I could not help but think how disappointed I would have been if I were an Italian rugby fan. Despite having large chunks of possession and territory, the team was showing little adventure.
This was personified on the stroke of halftime. Italy had Wales pinned on their goal line. The Azzurri did not have the confidence to test Wales on the edges at center and wing. They chose an attempt at a drop goal which they missed.
Before the game, Italy probably talked about needing to score tries to beat Wales, as the Welsh will just about always get one themselves—such is the quality in their backline.
Italy needs to find a rhythm in their game that allows them to express their talent. How they do that is the tough part. Whenever their players meet international teams, whether in The European Cup/Challenge Cup or in the Six Nations, they are mostly under pressure.
Italy should start searching out games with Romania and Spain once again if for no other reason than to allow their players to express themselves in a competitive environment, which for most of the game they will be in control.
If you add this type of encounter on top of two Italian sides competing in The Magners League then we will see a swift improvement in Italy's ability to turn pressure into points and not rely on the boot for glory.
