Ahead of the final weekend of Six Nations action for 2013, can Ireland finish a topsy-turvy campaign with a win? Or will the Italians finally get the better of us?
By Declan Whooley
After last week’s draw with the French, there was almost a sense of confusion over what emotion to to feel. Undoubtedly the draw, and more importantly the performance, was a big step up on the England and Scotland defeats.
On the other hand, this was a French team there for the taking with no wins and an out-half who at best, struggles for consistency. It is hard to recall a French team ever looking so happy after failing to beat a team they have such an impressive record against.
It appears increasingly likely that this could be Declan Kidney’s last game in charge, and while we won’t know that for certain until later in the season, here are three things to watch out for in Rome tomorrow.
Can we get over second-half syndrome issues?
If one was just to watch the second halves in each of Ireland’s games in this year’s competition, you could be forgiven for thinking that we were bankers for the wooden spoon. Even accounting for heroic defending in Cardiff, our second half performances have been well below par, particularly in an attacking sense.
The boys in green failed to score against the French in the second period week, and if you add the four games together, we have a scoring record that reads For: 18 and Against: 47.
We always expect a strong display from the Italians in the opening half, especially on their own patch, but unless there is an improvement in the Irish performance in the closing stages, it could make for another taxing defensive effort.
Gilroy to provide more attacking spark?
Fergus McFadden gave another reminder to Declan Kidney what he is capable of with an all-action performance, and were it not for injury, Craig Gilroy could well be taking his place on the bench. However injuries are run-of-the-mill this season and while he is still an international novice, he could provide the spark we need to get those around him into the groove if the game does open up.
Tries have been at a premium this season – there were more scored in the opening weekend than the subsequent three put together – but a couple of five pointers could pave the way for a second away win in the competition.
Front row record breakers
The power of the Italian pack has always been the hallmark of Azzurri rugby. We will always remember their failed kick-off in Rome in the same fixture a number of seasons ago when the Italians chosen to concede a scrum on the half-way line. They just love getting down and dirty in the scrum.
Under Jacques Brunel, they have expanded their game and the scrum doesn’t look quite as formidable. They were dismantled by the Welsh – aided by highly questionable refereeing – and Martin Castrogiovanni will sit this game out.
From an Irish perspective, Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross will start together for the 21st time, a new Irish record and if they can even break even with their Italian counterparts, that will provide a huge foundation for a positive Irish performance and victory.
Cardiff Championship decider
The big game this weekend from a silverware prespective takes place in Cardiff, the second game in a feast of Six Nations rugby. Sam Warburton continues an up and down campaign by retaining his place, but losing his captaincy to Gethin Jenkins. Anything less than a six-point victory for the home side and England will win the Championship, with a first Grand Slam in a decade very much in their sights.
Their task is a difficult one. Aside from an awful opening 40 minutes against Ireland in the first game, they have improved steadily and you would imagine that England will not be able to win this game on penalties alone. Considering they have just one try in their last three games, that could be an issue. Added in to the fact that 12 of the starting XV have never started a game at the Millennium, it is a sizeable task facing Stuart Lancaster in what should be a tense encounter.
The final game of the season will see the French look for their first win, something you would expect them to achieve over an improving Scottish outfit. Then again, this is France, so while you should never expect anything, they get a tentative vote to give their supporters something to cheer about.
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