Simon Easterby expects Italy onslaught
Ireland do better as underdogs. France are unpredictable. Momentum is key.
Or that one about how the Italians are always more dangerous in round one than round five, by which time their optimism has been quenched by too much fire-fighting.
The first and last of those are of particular concern to Ireland as they brace for their appointment in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday and, in fairness, they are no strangers to opening alongside the Azzurri.
This is the sixth time in the last 10 seasons that the countries have been pared first up and, though Ireland have won the previous five, the margins of victory have oscillated between two and 18 points.
“They went to Cardiff last year and only lost 23-15 and outscored Wales 12-6 in the second half,” said Simon Easterby who was still employed in the principality, with Scarlets, at the time.
“We know they start the tournament well.”
Ireland’s difficulties two years ago, when they lost in the final round, and four years ago, when they scraped a win, provide ample evidence of the task awaiting an Irish side favoured not just to see off Italy but to retain their title to boot this season.
Questions still remain about the well-being or otherwise of some notable names after yesterday’s training session but Joe Schmidt has tended to demand that players be fit early in the week if they are to be considered.
That would rule out Cian Healy who still hadn’t undertaken any contact work by the time forwards coach Easterby sat down with the media at lunchtime, although Sean O’Brien is further along, having played for the Wolfhounds on Friday.
“With his injury, if he is going to be involved, you have got to make sure that he is not going to come off,” said Easterby of O’Brien. “It might be difficult sometimes to pick a player who is coming back from a bump and such a long layoff.”
With Conor Murray declaring himself fit, Jamie Heaslip is the only other leading contender for a spot in the starting XV with a doubt over his fitness although Easterby claimed there was no shortage of back-up at number eight.
“Peter O’Mahony started for Munster against Sale, so he is an obvious candidate. Jordi Murphy, Tommy O’Donnell, they are all capable of slotting in to that eight position. We have to get past the Jamie question first as he is the incumbent from the autumn.”
The Italians have leaned heavily on their own number eight in Sergio Parisse, and the pack in general, in recent years although there are clear signs of a growing ambition behind the scrum under Jacques Brunel, who enters his final season as coach.
“They’re trying to play a bit more rugby, they’re trying to play with a bit more width. They play off turnover so making sure we’re really focused on continuity, keeping hold of the ball is important,” warned Easterby.
“They’re pretty disruptive at breakdown so that gives them the opportunity to play off turnover. They showed in the autumn, pushing South Africa pretty close, that they have a number of players.
“You talk about the forwards but in the back-line they’ve got players who can break the game up. If they’re prepared to play off turnover, then we know they’re going to be dangerous and we have to ensure we don’t give them those opportunities.
"Maybe in the past, they might have just hoofed the ball down the field and looked for the kick chase. But I don’t think that’s them any more. They’re a far more rounded team.”
