Italian back-row a huge threat, says Jennings

THOUGH much is being made about Italy’s scrum in the build-up to Sunday’s winner takes all Pool C finale against Ireland, there is another big weapon in the Italian armoury according to Shane Jennings.

Leinster open side flanker Jennings, who scored Ireland’s eighth of nine tries in the 62-12 win over Russia in Rotorua, knows all about the dynamic back-row threat of Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni and Mauro Bergamasco.

“Their back row’s pretty well balanced,” Jennings said. Of Parisse, he added: “You can see he’s an all-round player and I’m sure that’s what gives him confidence in leadership, because he’s such a quality player. He’s got the ability to do offloads, put trail runners in, so he’s got good hands and he’s a very strong man. His lineout game is good, he’s good off the back of the scrum and is a pretty complete player.”