Joe Schmidt’s Ireland has a chance to regain pole position in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup when they take on Italy, boosted by the return of inspirational captain Sergio Parisse. Join The Roar for all the action from 2:45am (AEDT).
A win for Ireland would see the men in green gain qualification for the quarter-finals, while the Azzurri must win to keep any chance of qualification alive.
Ireland will be without Rob Kearney (glut strain) and Jared Payne (bruised foot), meaning the impressive Simon Zebo retains his spot at fullback with Keith Earls shifting to outside centre and Dave Kearney promoted to the starting XV.
Schmidt has named his strongest possible side, and despite Ireland’s heavy favouritism to top the pool, the New Zealander claims he will be happy with just qualification at this stage.
“I’d be delighted to get the result,” said Schmidt after naming his side.
“It’s probably not often I say that. If I’m talking to you guys post-game and we’ve had a two-point win I’d be delighted to have qualified.
“In a tournament like this performance is obviously pivotal but I don’t think anyone’s going to complain as long as you remain alive in the tournament.
“We’re virtually now at the beginning of the knockout stages because while it might not be fatal it would be a very serious blow if we didn’t win on Sunday and for us that would make the following week a pressure-cooker that we could do without.”
Italian captain Parisse was sidelined with a calf haematoma, but after receiving surgery to reduce its size, he has been cleared by team doctors to play and is delighted to be joining his teammates for their pivotal, must-win match.
“I’m delighted to be back with the squad but it isn’t about individuals,” said the 113-cap veteran.
“Ahead of a match of this magnitude we need to respond collectively against a team that is one of the best in the world, and one that is definitely playing better than us.
“Ireland are a complete team. They play simple rugby really well, scrum well and have a good lineout, but no one player makes the different (sic). They are definitely a stronger team than us. We have to try to be competitive against a team like Ireland and play our best match of the year.
“It is a chance to make history, a small chance. I can’t say if we have a great chance of winning, but we have to fight and we will give everything to take this chance.”
Italian coach Jacques Brunei has made six changes as Matias Aguero and Andrea Manici join Lorenzo Cittadini in the front row, Simone Favaro and Francesco Minto line up with Parisse in a new-look backrow, and Michele Camapgnaro replaces Tommaso Benvenuti at outside centre.
Ireland have made 11 changes to the side that dispatched Romania last weekend, with Zebo, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Jamie Heaslip the only survivors from Ireland’s 44-10 win at Wembley.
Ireland to have too much class in this one but if Italy can make life difficult at the breakdown and set-piece then a upset could be on the cards.
Cathal
Guest
2 Six nations titles, Its a pleasure to see how Irelands success is annoying people, and it will continue :)
Cathal
Guest
In what way did Italy dominate the scrum? the ref was very kind to Italy I remember one time he said to parries to use the ball x5? another way to look at it is France where dominated in the scrum by Romania who then where level with Ireland if not slightly dominated at scrum time. And lets not forget, Ireland and France played COMPLETELY different Italian sides.
Cathal
Guest
Have you not seen France in this world cup? they struggled to pull away against Canada on thursday and Romania the thursday before that and beat a dire Italy side, the Italy side Ireland played played probably there best Rugby since the last RWC yet Ireland never looked like losing the match which will only battle harden Ireland which France won't have to there advantage.
cantab
Guest
I'd never write France off, but nor would I ever write them in for a canter against..well...anyone.
chucked
Guest
I keep hearing Joe Schmidt lauded as the Best Coach in the world certainly wasn't evident against Italy. the Italians could have easily won. France will canter in and top the pool. Leaving Ireland to continue there appalling record of the last 110 years against the Kiwis. As pot Hale and others have mentioned Argentina are in dominant form, they could beat France and Australia and I wouldn't be surprised at all by that..in fact I would Cheer loudly for that.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Italy is a different beast with parisse in but it doesnt explain Ireland's overall poor performance. France's scrum dominated Italy's who themselves dominated Ireland's so hopefully... Am still not absolutely sure both coaches will put their best xv and ask them to play the game of their lives and risk injuries. No doubt they both wanna avoid nz but at what price? I think schmidt should rest his best players and target the qf vs AB match ;)
wardad
Guest
Cheers Jack ,reading over your match report gives me a better idea of how the game went than a few brief highlights .
Derm
Roar Guru
Abysmal from Ireland. Heading for the dock next weekend and then the usual quarter-final loss - this time to New Zealand. Argentina are in storming form and could easily take France. All SH semis on the cards?
Mot awe imspiring from Ireland at all. The match tonight was reminiscent of South Africa 2007, kick your way out of your 22 and prey on opposition mistakes, however they take milking for penalties to a new level.
Shop
Roar Guru
There has been some great rugby but that was probably the dullest game of the WC so far. Still, Ireland are through and will want to match beat the French to avoid the darkness.
James
Guest
Ireland are not as good as they think they are.
Taylorman
Guest
Interesting re Sexton shanking a kick under pressure. Haven't seen the whole match yet bud looks as though Ireland were put under pressure in their toughest match so far. Thanks Jack, some interesting reading there. Not sure whether NZ will get Ireland or France now.
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
80' - FULL TIME - Not the greatest Irish performance but four points nonetheless as Italy's World Cup run comes to an end while Ireland secure themselves a place in the quarter-final. Ireland got embroiled into a dog fight as Italy were far superior in the scrum but severely lacking in the line out. Ireland showed poor discipline throughout the game and finished with 14 men after Peter O'Mahony's needless yellow card ten minutes from time. The Irish back never really fired outside of Keith Earls try and relied far too much and winning up and unders as a source of penetration. Conor Murray was probably the best Irish back and was smart and calculated when Ireland started to lose their direction. Italy cost themselves with a lack of territory and some poor decision making towards the end. Ireland now shift their attention towards France where the winner will more than likely meet Argentina while the loser will have to contend with a quarter final showdown with the defending champion All Blacks. Not the most scintillating game of the tournament but we hope you enjoyed the coverage nonetheless and we thank you for tuning in! Cheers and Goodbye!
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
79' - With all the pressure on Sexton shanks it wide left as Italy can still tie this up with a converted try. Nervous for Irish fans as it's not the first time Sexton has shown a propensity to miss a kick when the pressure is on. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
77' - Ireland seem content to work the phases and try and grind this one out but in a brain snap Leonardo Sarto impedes Tommy Bowe's run as Ireland are awarded a penalty right on the sideline as Sexton can seal the win if he knocks this over. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
75' - Sexton shows his class and pins Italy back into their 22 with an inch perfect kick to touch as Italy must now march 85 metres in just over four minutes. Meanwhile Luke Fitzgerald replaces Keith Earls for Ireland. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
73' - Italy take advantage of their one man advantage in the scrum as they win yet another penalty at the set piece. Predictably, they boot the ball to touch but Chris Henry is there at the back to clean it up as Ireland advance up the field. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
71' - Ireland will finish with 14 after Peter O'Mahony is sent to the bin for a no arms clean out on Josh Furno. For those who aren't watching, very similar to Michael Hooper on Mike Brown last night. Italy kick for touch as they look to level things here in London. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
70' - Ireland win the scrum and Murray breaks down the blindside before dinking a little kick in over the top boxing Italy inside their own 22. Italy win the lineout but Ireland start to turn the pressure up defensively. IRE 16-9 ITA
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
69' - Sean Cronin comes on for Rory Best as Ireland have a scrum just past the 40 metres mark as they look to put this game beyond a one score game. IRE 16-9 ITA