“It’s definitely a different challenge than France because they probably went back to being a bit pragmatic and kicking it a lot more.”
Ireland hope to edge nearer to a historic successive Six Nations Grand Slam after they host Italy at Lansdowne Road on Sunday after laying down a marker of their thumping of France final week.
Andy Farrell’s Irish facet shall be closely favoured to make it two wins from two after their 38-17 humbling of the French in Marseille final Friday — a file win for the Irish in France.
Ireland, although, shall be aware they can’t afford to be off color against the Italians who pushed an England crew — that includes a number of new caps — all the best way in Rome, solely dropping 27-24.
AFP Sports picks out three issues that would show key within the match:
Italy search to break dangerous outdated behavior
One of many challenges going through head coach Gonzalo Quesada is eking out two respectable performances on successive weekends from the Italians.
The lack of first selection backrow forwards Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone are blows however the return from sickness of livewire fullback Ange Capuozzo will preserve the Irish on their toes.
Italy pushed Ireland shut in Rome final yr, finally falling to a 30-24 defeat, and boosted by the efficiency against England, shall be hoping to beat the Irish in their very own yard as they did the Welsh in 2022.
“Italy play with so much passion and emotion and they’re now bringing that accuracy as well,” mentioned Ireland No 8 Jack Conan.
“They’re so close to getting a few big scalps. You can see it when they play.”
Indeed British and Irish Lions star Conan believes the Irish defence could have a tougher day on the workplace than they did against the out-of-sorts French.
“It’s definitely a different challenge than France because they probably went back to being a bit pragmatic and kicking it a lot more,” mentioned Conan.
“Italy will take any alternative to play out after they can.
“We’re nearly expecting a tougher defensive challenge this weekend than what we had previously so we’re going to have to be on it from minute one.”
Wounded Ryan out to show some extent
Sport is usually a merciless world, as James Ryan has found.
One day you’re undisputed first selection lock and common stand in Ireland captain, when Johnny Sexton was unavailable.
The subsequent you’re ignored for the skipper’s function on Sexton’s retirement and changed within the beginning line-up by Joe McCarthy, a Leinster teammate 4 years youthful than you who gilds his lily by being named man of the match against France.
Now it seems that when it comes to the nationwide captaincy not less than Caelan Doris has climbed above him, though Ryan shares that function at Leinster with Gary Ringrose.
Ryan has a possibility to remind head coach Andy Farrell of his qualities when he begins alongside McCarthy on Sunday — he wants to rediscover the vim of outdated and never the beneath performing model on the Rugby World Cup.
The blow to his ego seems to have had a constructive response judging by what Farrell mentioned on Friday.
“James Ryan’s chomping at the bit to show his worth and start,” mentioned Farrell.
However, with Tadhg Beirne — who has a nicely earned relaxation and sits out the match — in sublime kind it should take a mammoth effort from Ryan to power himself again into the primary selection spot.
Farrell sizes up Casey-Crowley partnership
Farrell with a watch to the long run future has opted for the halfback pairing of Munster teammates Jack Crowley, who impressed many at fly-half against France, and his fellow 24-year-old Craig Casey at scrum-half.
Casey will get the nod forward of Ireland and Munster nice Conor Murray, who doesn’t even make the bench with first selection scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park performing as back-up.
Casey could also be diminutive in stature at 5ft 5in (1.65 metres), however he greater than makes up for that in not being intimidated and snapping at far larger opponents’ heels and has shaped an efficient partnership with Crowley at Munster.
Certainly Farrell likes what he has seen.
“Craig Casey has been jumping out of his skin and playing well, and deserves a start,” mentioned Farrell.
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