Azzurri to provide a solid test for Irish pack

IRISH coach Eddie O’Sullivan will have a far better idea of the well-being of his side after a near full-strength team has played Italy at Ravenhill tonight in the final warm-up for next month’s Rugby World Cup.

If O’Sullivan wanted to see his forward pack tested to the utmost, then he could hardly have asked for more potent opposition than the Azzurri. Even though the formidable Mauro Bergamasco and second-row Santiago Dellape are absentees because of minor injuries, the visitors are putting out a really formidable scrummaging eight that includes the renowned Martin Castrogiovanni and Salvatore Perugini ably abetted by impressive captain Marco Bortolami in the second-row.

If that wasn’t enough, a fair case could be made for ranking Sergio Parisse as the equal of any number eight in the Six Nations. Lining out over the past few years in the colours of Leicester Tigers, Toulouse, Gloucester and Stade Francais has only served to make this quartet ever stronger. Furthermore, they are backed up by four able comrades and even if the support from behind is of lesser quality, they do have experienced players, most notably Alessandro Troncan (the guy who so memorably flattened Peter Stringer with an uppercut in the 2001 meeting of the sides) and Mirco Bergamasco.

True, Ireland walloped them by 51-24 in Rome last St Patrick’s Day when Italian shortcomings among their backs were ruthlessly exposed. Accordingly, it might be reasonable to anticipate another romp this time. However, the level of expectation shouldn’t be too high for the Italians have been preparing well for the World Cup under the guidance of Pierre Berbizier. The former French scrum-half stands down as coach after the World Cup, but believes he can lead Italy to the knock-out stages for the first time at Scotland’s expense.

“We see this as our best ever opportunity to qualify from our group”, said the canny little Frenchman who also admits he wasn’t all that happy with a recent 36-12 defeat of Japan. “We have slight injuries to five leading players and I don’t want to risk them. However, this is my strongest possible side and the game against Ireland is the ideal time for them to express themselves individually and as a team.”

Eddie O’Sullivan, of course, has the same views. He, too must go into action without Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Horgan and David Wallace while Peter Stringer may also sit the game out because of ongoing back spasm problems.

Ravenhill will be filled to its 12,300 capacity tonight as Ireland play their first international at the old ground since Scotland were beaten 6-0 there in 1954. It will be interesting to note how they react to Ireland’s Call and to the absence of God Save the Queen.

“There is no doubt that this is a big game in front of a full house”, said the coach last night. “The Ulster boys in camp tell me that it is an amazing atmosphere. I’ve been there on a Friday night during a Heineken Cup game and so has Paul O’Connell, when Munster were at Ravenhill. It’s a great place to play with plenty of passion. The pressure is now on the lads to come out with all guns blazing and give the crowd something to cheer.”

Quite clearly, it’s a bigger game individually for some players more than others. With Geordan Murphy showing something like his best form against the Scots and now in the side as Shane Horgan’s right-wing replacement, Girvan Dempsey will be anxious to deliver another big performance at full-back. Andrew Trimble is given the chance to prove he can deputise adequately for O’Driscoll at second centre against Namibia on September 9.

Rory Best must deliver a top notch performance at hooker if he is to continue in favour ahead of Jerry Flannery while Neil Best at number seven stands in once again for David Wallace. Given the regular number seven’s ongoing problems with a “chronic” ankle injury, Best has an awful lot to play for.

IRELAND (v Italy): G Dempsey (Leinster), G. Murphy (Leicester), A Trimble (Ulster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), R. O’Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell, capt (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), N Best (Ulster), D Leamy (Munster).

Replacements: J Flannery, S Best, M O’Kelly, A. Quinlan, I Boss. P Wallace, B Carney

ITALY: D Bortolussi, (Montpellier) K Robertson (Arix Viadana), G Canale (Clermont Auvergne), M Bergamasco (Stade Francais), M Pratichetti (Cammi Calvisano); R de Marigny (Cammi Calvisano), A Troncon (Clermont Auvergne); S Perugini (Stade Toulousain), F Ongaro (Saracens), M Castrogiovanni (Leicester Tigers), V Bernabo (Brive), M Bortolami (Gloucester,capt), A Zanni (Cammi Calvisano), R Barbieri (Benetton Treviso), S Parisse (Stade Francais).