The tournament’s wooden spoon showdown takes place at Rome, with the two teams that many predicted would be contesting the match present. How different, however, are the paths that they have taken to get here.
Italy have looked, at best, lacking a cutting edge in attack during the Six Nations and at worst have looked thoroughly hopeless. So short of international quality is the number 10 Kris Burton that it has been enough for me to consider a number of times to move to Italy, qualify on residency grounds and be their next fly-half. It was always going to be a thankless task for new coach Jacques Brunel; following in the footsteps of Nick Mallet and his relatively successful tenure in charge of the Azzurri. Yet, with no major international retirements and only a handful of injuries to key men, such as Martin Castrogiovanni, who returns for this match, and...
Italy have looked, at best, lacking a cutting edge in attack during the Six Nations and at worst have looked thoroughly hopeless. So short of international quality is the number 10 Kris Burton that it has been enough for me to consider a number of times to move to Italy, qualify on residency grounds and be their next fly-half. It was always going to be a thankless task for new coach Jacques Brunel; following in the footsteps of Nick Mallet and his relatively successful tenure in charge of the Azzurri. Yet, with no major international retirements and only a handful of injuries to key men, such as Martin Castrogiovanni, who returns for this match, and...
- 3/17/2012
- by Tom Roberts
- Obsessed with Film
Wales continued their quest for the Grand Slam whilst Italy were desperate to avoid another wooden spoon in Cardiff on Saturday.Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch
Wales had retained as much of the line up from their last match as possible with Justin Tipuric making his first start in the place of the injured Sam Warburton. Italy made a raft of changes after their disappointing loss last time out to Ireland, with Kris Burton taking back the ten shirt from the less than impressive Botes.
Italy, clearly incensed by a less than satisfying outing last time were clearly keen to deny Wales any periods of quick ball, setting to at the coalface as is their way. Halfpenny continued his good form in this year’s Six Nations by opening the scoring with a kick from distance as Wales began well,...
Wales had retained as much of the line up from their last match as possible with Justin Tipuric making his first start in the place of the injured Sam Warburton. Italy made a raft of changes after their disappointing loss last time out to Ireland, with Kris Burton taking back the ten shirt from the less than impressive Botes.
Italy, clearly incensed by a less than satisfying outing last time were clearly keen to deny Wales any periods of quick ball, setting to at the coalface as is their way. Halfpenny continued his good form in this year’s Six Nations by opening the scoring with a kick from distance as Wales began well,...
- 3/10/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
A warmer spell of weather meant Ireland actually got to play this weekend, taking on Italy at the Aviva Stadium. Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby, here.
After a two week pause for breath the Six Nations got started again at the Aviva Stadium as Italy took on Ireland. Italy were coming to this match on the back of a disappointing loss to England in a frozen Rome, whilst Ireland had been given an extra week off after the frozen pitch debacle in Paris.
Tobias Botes’ selection at fly half for Italy was a pre-match talking point due to his two shocking efforts at the end of the England game. Two minutes into the game and he was given the chance to prove he had been practising his penalties.
After a two week pause for breath the Six Nations got started again at the Aviva Stadium as Italy took on Ireland. Italy were coming to this match on the back of a disappointing loss to England in a frozen Rome, whilst Ireland had been given an extra week off after the frozen pitch debacle in Paris.
Tobias Botes’ selection at fly half for Italy was a pre-match talking point due to his two shocking efforts at the end of the England game. Two minutes into the game and he was given the chance to prove he had been practising his penalties.
- 2/25/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Ball In Touch: England travelled to a snowy Rome as Italy looked to win for the first time in 18 attempts against the English. Let us know what you thought of the game or anything else either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby, here.
England 2.0’s journey continued in deepest Rome as they came back from behind against Italy on a patchwork quilt of a pitch, as evidence of heavy snows across Europe remained across two thirds of the field.
The cold was no hardship for the home fans filling the Stadio Olimpico. England seemed keen to attack after having seemingly spent 80 minutes defending in Edinburgh last week, a promising early drive failing at the hands of some forwards hanging out on the wing.
Neither side was in any mood to spend too much time standing still, but...
England 2.0’s journey continued in deepest Rome as they came back from behind against Italy on a patchwork quilt of a pitch, as evidence of heavy snows across Europe remained across two thirds of the field.
The cold was no hardship for the home fans filling the Stadio Olimpico. England seemed keen to attack after having seemingly spent 80 minutes defending in Edinburgh last week, a promising early drive failing at the hands of some forwards hanging out on the wing.
Neither side was in any mood to spend too much time standing still, but...
- 2/11/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Ball In Touch: The 2012 competition got under way in Paris on Saturday, as World Cup Finalists France looked to avenge last year’s defeat to Italy. Let us know what you thought of the game either in the comments below or on Twitter @Ballintouch and remember to use our handy beginners A-z guide to rugby
Just 104 days have passed since the World Cup Final, but it is all change for many of this year’s Six nations sides. France are under the new management of Philippe Saint Andre and first up to get the tournament underway in Paris against Italy, in what was possibly the easiest result to call of the opening weekend.
The Italians last meeting with Les Bleus resulted in victory for the Azzuri, so revenge was a phrase blowing around the Stade Francais. The French looked to probe the defence initially, the freezing cold meaning both sides...
Just 104 days have passed since the World Cup Final, but it is all change for many of this year’s Six nations sides. France are under the new management of Philippe Saint Andre and first up to get the tournament underway in Paris against Italy, in what was possibly the easiest result to call of the opening weekend.
The Italians last meeting with Les Bleus resulted in victory for the Azzuri, so revenge was a phrase blowing around the Stade Francais. The French looked to probe the defence initially, the freezing cold meaning both sides...
- 2/4/2012
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
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