A look back at last year's World Cup match in New Zealand

LESSONS FOR ITALY

If the Italians are as badly outplayed in the set-pieces as they were during the World Cup clash then they’ll be in serious trouble. Martin Castrogiovanni limped off before half-time in Dunedin, while he misses out today. Jacques Brunel has brought in Michele Rizzo and Lorenzo Cittadini as the pillars in the frontrow. Italy scored two tries against England, induced by the pressure of their defence rather than any great creativity. South African-born scrumhalf Tobias Botes is a real gamble at outhalf as the Italians scramble for a playmaker that would allow them operate a wider game. –

JOHN O’SULLIVAN

RWC Pool C, October 2nd, 2011, Dunedin: Ireland 36, Italy 6

HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED

The first half was a tight, forward-orientated affair with Irish outhalf Ronan O’Gara outscoring Italian place-kicker Mirco Bergamasco by three penalties to two. Italian totem and tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni had limped off before the interval. Ireland thought they might have had a try when Seán O’Brien released Tommy Bowe but referee Jonathan Kaplan called play back for a forward pass. Following a fourth O’Gara penalty after the restart, Declan Kidney’s side took a grip on the match on 47 minutes when Brian O’Driscoll crossed for a try after Bowe made the incision. Birthday boy Keith Earls added a brace of tries (below) while replacement Jonathan Sexton tagged on a conversion and penalty.

Ireland Italy

3 Tries 0

3 Conversions 0

5 Penalties 2

0 Drop goals 0

59% Possession 41%

10 Offloads 1

4 Line breaks 0

LESSONS FOR IRELAND

Prior to the match Italian coach Nick Mallett had spoken about how the Italian scrum would be a key weapon in derailing Irish hopes, but as it transpired it was the Ireland eight that dominated in this facet of the game from the get-go. Italy were upset with referee Jonathan Kaplan’s interpretation but they lost three on their own put-in, not to mention the penalties they conceded. Ireland nicked a couple of lineouts, which destabilised their opponents further. According to the stats Ireland didn’t miss a tackle and made four line-breaks, emphasising their aggression and precision.

Ireland Italy

14 Pens conceded 13

10 (0) Lineouts (lost) 12 (2)

5 (1) Scrums (lost) 7 (3)

53 Tackles made 103

0 Tackles missed 7

10 Turnovers won 12

11 Total errors 24

WHO THE COACHES SELECTED

It’s fair to say new Italian coach Jacques Brunel has certainly put his imprimatur on the team that takes the field today from the side chosen by his predecessor Nick Mallett for the World Cup match, retaining just six players from Dunedin. Andrea Masi is retained at fullback, 21-year-old Tomasso Benvenuti is now considered a centre rather than wing. Captain and number eight Sergio Parisse (right), flanker Alessando Zanni, secondrow Quintin Geldenhuys and hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini are retained up front. Ireland show just two alterations with Andrew Trimble starting on the left wing, Keith Earls switching to centre to replace the injured Brian O’Driscoll and Jonathan Sexton named at outhalf ahead of Ronan O’Gara.

Andrea Masi

Tommaso Benvenuti

Gonzalo Canale

Gonzalo Garcia

Mirco Bergamasco

Luciano Orquera

Fabio Semenzato

Salavtore Perugini

Leonardo Ghiraldini

Martin Castrogiovanni

Quintin Geldenhuys

Cornelius Van Zyl

Alessando Zanni

Mauro Bergamasco

Sergio Parisse

HOW THEY LINED OUT

Rob Kearney

Tommy Bowe

Brian O’Driscoll (capt)

Gordon D’Arcy

Keith Earls

Ronan O’Gara

Conor Murray

Cian Healy

Rory Best

Mike Ross

Donncha O’Callaghan

Paul O’Connell

Stephen Ferris

Seán O’Brien

Jamie Heaslip