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Six Nations 2017 Preview: The Only Way Is Up For Italy

Italy's Michele Campagnaro

Defence. Goal-kicking. Lack of depth. The problems facing Italy coach Conor O’Shea are legion, but he’s started in the right way, writes James Harrington.

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What to look out for
The only way has to be up. The 2016 campaign quickly turned rotten for the Azzurri after the early promise of their opening encounter against France in Paris – a match they lost 23-21 after France had dragged themselves back from 18-10 down with an hour gone, and Sergio Parisse, of all people, dragged a late, late drop-goal attempt wide of the mark.

Strengths
The coaching set-up. Conor O’Shea is young and smart and has created a backroom team in his image. He faces a Sisyphean task to turn Italy into the rugby force they are desperate to be, but he could be the man to do it.

Weaknesses
Defence. Kicking. Lack of depth. Take your pick. Hence the near-vertical challenge ahead of O’Shea. He has moved to shore up Italy’s defensive frailties – hiring Brendan Venter as defence coach was a stroke of genius. But the lack of a consistent goalkicker since the days of Diego Dominguez remains a huge problem. As does the absence of strength in depth. The other nations have player reserves to call on in case of injury – Italy don’t, as their increasingly dismal 2016 campaign proved.

The Man in Charge
O’Shea is definitely talking the talk ahead of his first Six Nations – though reports coming out of South Africa that Venter may be prepared to walk out on his newly signed two-and-a-half year deal as defence coach to join the Springboks will be an unwelcome distraction so close to the start of this year’s competition.

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Player to Watch
Federico Ruzza. Even though everyone is talking about Exeter Chiefs’ midfield game-breaker Michele Campagnaro, the 22-year-old Zebre lock is the only uncapped player in a low-risk ‘continuity squad’ for coach O’Shea’s first Six Nations. The 6’6″, 17-stone forward, who is as comfortable at eight as he is in the boiler room, scored five tries in the Italian club’s generally back-pedalling Champions Cup campaign. Suggesting he could be the country’s long-term replacement for Sergio Parisse would put an unfair weight of expectation on the young man’s shoulders, but Italy need a future legend to hang their rugby dreams on as well as a current one.

Big Match
It has to be either one of Italy’s opening two games – at home first to Wales and then Ireland. They will have to play out of their skins and hope to catch either team napping. After that the tournament will be well under way, coaches and players will have their gameplans firmly in place, and the opportunity for a shock win should be gone.

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Prediction
Sixth. Truthfully, the best Italy can hope for is that they are more competitive and consistent than they were in 2016 – and end up with a points difference somewhat better than -145. Challenging for more has to wait a while longer.

Squad
Forwards: Pietro Ceccarelli, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lovotti, Sami Panico, Tommaso D’Apice, Ornel Gega, Leonardo Ghiraldini, George Fabio Biagi, Joshua Furno, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Marco Barbini, Simone Favaro, Maxime Mata Mbanda, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse (c), Abraham Jurgens Steyn
Backs: Giorgio Bronzini, Edoardo Gori, Marcello Violi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti, Tommaso Boni, Michele Campagnaro, Luke McLean, Giulio Bisegni, Angelo Esposito, Giovambattista Venditti, Edoardo Padovan

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H
Hellhound 7 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 48 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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