The Italians Six Nations story is well noted, slowly climbing the ranks from being perennial whipping boys to turning the Stadio Flaminio into a fortress with only Ireland and England yet to fall their, following a remarkable win over France last year, so what does 2012 hold in store for Italy?
Last Year: Last
Fixtures:
Sat 4th Feb14:30 France v Italy
Sat 11th Feb 16:00 Italy v England
Sat 25th Feb 13:30 Ireland v Italy
Sat 10th Mar 14:30 Wales v Italy
Sat 17th Mar12:30 Italy v Scotland
2012 marks a major change for Italian rugby in two ways, first the move to the mighty Stadio Olimpico and second the replacement of Nick Mallett by Jacques Brunel.
Whilst things seemed settled off the field the changes off the field are significant. Mallett had put together a tough resilient side that, at home at least, were no longer pushovers even for the very best nations. Similiarly, whilst the Stadio Flaminio was not the most fantastic ground in the World it seemed to suit Italy very well - an unwelcoming, tough sort of place. In the long run both of these changes are likely to be positive, but in the short term it will seem to somewhat neuter Italy.
For the last few years the Six Nations seems to have been split into two competitions - England, France, Ireland and Wales competing for the title and Scotland and Italy competing to avoid the wooden spoon. Though both nations seem to be improving - as shown by their progress in the Heineken Cup - I can't see this pattern changing this year. As such, the fixture to determine who is 5th and who is 6th is where Italy and Scotland play each other.
The "wooden spoon" derby is in Italy this year, though I think the change in venue and the improvement in Scottish rugby this year will be just enough to put Italy into the bottom bracket.
What do you think? Where have I got it right and / or wrong?
Six Nations Preview - Italy
posted on 26/1/12
"When Tim Visser is eligible for them it'll help"
+1
posted on 26/1/12
Anyone give me odds on an italian win in the first game against france?
i think its a 50/50
What France team will turn up? and what mental state will they be in?
Forza Italia!!!!!
posted on 26/1/12
Hold the presses i just read this! My clairvoyance is astounding!
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Saint-Andre called on his country's professional teams and rugby federation to do more to help him conquer the inconsistency that has dogged Les Bleus throughout their entire history.
The former Sale head coach only met his 30-man provisional RBS 6 Nations squad for the first time on Sunday, but must now release them back to their clubs for matches this weekend.
"It's tough," Saint-Andre said ahead of next weekend's tournament opener against Italy.
"We are the only country who have the league Friday and Saturday.
"I will announce the squad of 23 tomorrow, but I will cross my fingers that the guys will be okay after the games this weekend.
"We know the other countries have much more time to prepare."
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posted on 26/1/12
Playing under Saint-Andre the French will be so motivated and hit the ground running! They will comfortably see off Italy!
posted on 26/1/12
Well to be fair under Saint-Andre you would expect them to be great...
BUT its france... and they are just a little bit nutty
posted on 26/1/12
With Scotland, whilst they are improving I think they have some very serious issues to address, squad depth has been mentioned but when did they last score a try against decent (Six nations, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) opposition?
That suggests either a serious lack of creativity or something in their heads that is not good. Paterson has retired and Kelly Brown is out so I think, despite Edinburgh's strong showing, there are a lot of problems with Scottish rugby at present
I could be totally wrong of course
posted on 26/1/12
They did manage to beat the Boks last November though...they will not be 6N winners or even runners up but could pull off a few surprises.
posted on 26/1/12
They beat the boks but really its was a bad boks side. be honest
posted on 26/1/12
But still that Bok side, or part of it, beat Ireland, Wales and thumped England!
I was at Twickenham that day and it was so so sweet! After a week of England building themselves up and predicting a +15 point victory after their victories over AUS and Samoa they were brought crashing (literally) back to ground with a serious thump!
posted on 26/1/12
Thats true Max, I guess the question would be was that a one off (and if so was it Scotland were brilliant or South Africa were awful)
if it wasn't then why hasn't it happened again - the players have been the same, so why not the performances.
It's not a conclusion I'm comfortable with, but the facts do seem to support it, but I wonder if, simply put (and I do apologise to anyone this offends) "Scotland are not that good at rugby".
Let me explain, they had a golden era in the late 80s which everyone now takes as being the acceptable average, rather than a statistical anomaly. Scotland won 2 of their 3 grand slams in that period, outside of which they only won in 1925.
Their world ranking over the last 10 years averages around 10, and goes between 6 and 12, so on average over the last decade, which is more typical of their historic average, they are akin to Samoa and Tonga rather than England and Ireland.
Only 3 of their 11 coaches have been more successful than Andy Robinson (based on win percentage) and two of those by only 2%.
Its not pleasant reading if you're a Scotland fan, but it does indicate what the historic trend really is, and that is battling with Italy at the bottom is their general pattern.
Again, please feel free to correct and I do apologies for any offence caused.