2011 Rugby World Cup Pool C Match Preview: Ireland vs Italy
Ireland is looking forward to a win to not only qualify for the knockout stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) but also to finish on top of Pool C. Ireland will take on Italy, as both teams are preparing to play their last pool match of the tournament.
The Irish already developed the biggest upset of the tournament after they defeated the RWC favourties and 2011 Tri Nations winner, Wallabies, in a Pool C encounter.
If Italy manages to get an upset, it very well can end Ireland’s 2011 RWC campaign. Ireland, Australia and Italy so far have played three games each, and are placed at 1st, 2nd and 3rd position with 13, 10 and 10 points respectively.
Ireland will enter the match needing at least a bonus point to qualify for the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Italy will have either to earn a bonus point victory or defeat the Wales denying them a losing bonus point to qualify for the last eight of the tournament.
Italy head coach, Nick Mallett, has announced just one change in his squad which took the field against the USA Eagles. This includes the return of Andrea Masi at the full back position for the Azzurri’s, after recovering from his injury. Luke McLean is
moved to the bench while Giulio Toniolatti is dropped from the match-day 22 altogether.
On the other hand, Ireland is not taking their weekend encounter against the Azzurri’s lightly, as they have named a strong and experienced outfit for Sunday’s clash.
Ireland head coach, Declan Kidney, has chosen to use the combination of Ronan O'Gara and Conor Murray in the halfbacks for their last pool game. The selection of O’Gara ahead of Jonathan Sexton is not a shock to anyone but the preference of Murray over Reddan
came as a surprise to many. Sexton will start the match from the bench.
Additionally, Ireland’s captain for the tournament, Brian O'Driscoll, returns at outside centre, which will force Keith Earls to start the match at the left-winger position. O’Driscoll will form a pair with the Gordon D’Arcy while, the duo of Paul O’Connell
and Stephen Ferris has replaced Leo Cullen and Donnacha Ryan in the starting xv. O’Connell and Ryan will start the match at the lock and flanker positions respectively.
Italy will take on Ireland at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Sunday, October 2.
Ireland
Starting XV: 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, Sean
O'Brien, Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble.
Italy
Starting XV: Andrea Masi; Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco; Luciano Orquera, Fabio Semenzato; Salvatore Perugini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni; Quintin Geldenhuys,
Cornelius van Zyl; Alessandro Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Sergio Parisse (cap).
Replacements: Fabio Ongaro, Andrea lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Paul Derbyshire, Edoardo Gori, Riccardo Bocchino, Luke McLean.
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