Irish refuse to take Mallett’s bait

IRELAND may be preparing for the mother of all confrontations on the rugby pitch on Sunday against Italy but there was a distinct reticence yesterday to engage in the verbal jousting started by Azzurri coach Nick Mallett the previous evening.

Former South Africa coach Mallett lit the fire under this World Cup Pool C showdown at the Otago Stadium, a must-win fixture for both sides if they are to reach the quarter-finals, when he said the Italy scrum was better and stronger than their Irish counterparts.

Ireland’s players and management were well aware of the intense physical encounter ahead of them in Dunedin this weekend and are relishing the contest but as for the baiting by Mallett following Italy’s 27-10 win over the United States on Tuesday, defence coach Les Kiss refused to bite.