Ireland women to face ‘different threats’ from Italy
Women’s Six Nations
Italy v Ireland
Daire Walsh
The Ireland women’s side will be aiming to maintain their perfect Six Nations record against Italy when the two nations meet at Viale Piacenza, Lanfranchi this evening (kick-off 6.45pm, Irish time).
Since the Azzurre first entered the tournament back in 2007, the Irish have enjoyed 12 consecutive victories in this fixture. Morale in the camp was boosted by a bonus-point win in Scotland in the last round, but they face an Italian side that are making significant strides.
The Italians followed up their own success over the Scots with a hard-earned draw at home to Wales and Ireland assistant coach Jeff Carter has recognised a subtle change in their playing style.
“They would have been quite forward-orientated over the last number of years. [They] relied on strong forwards, but they actually have a back line this year to move the ball wide. The nine [Sara Barratin] and 10 [Veronica Madia] are very good. Nine likes to snipe, 10 likes to move the ball wide,” Carter acknowledged.
“There’s different threats this year, so they’ll obviously be delighted with their win against Scotland. They’re probably disappointed with their draw against the Welsh. They had a chance to win it in the last kick of the game. It’ll be a big challenge for us.”
While Kathryn Dane is promoted to scrum-half, the forward pack remains intact for a second game running. They overpowered Scotland on their way to a 22-5 triumph, despite the absence of loosehead prop Lindsay Peat, who is amongst the replacements.
The scrum and lineout have been notable features of Ireland’s game to date, but Carter admitted it will count for little if they don’t back it up tonight.
“Our message was: ‘we can’t take a backward step now’. We have to keep pushing through and get a win against Italy. We backed up the scrum after some good play there against the English, so we were happy. It means nothing if we make mistakes against the Italians. It’s important that we improve and hit those 100% targets as we try to do every time.”
With 10 of the starting team on 10 caps or fewer, the experienced trio of Alison Miller, Claire Molloy and skipper Ciara Griffin will be expected to navigate Ireland through a tricky assignment in Parma. In addition to Peat’s return, UL Bohemian back Laura Sheehan is selected in a match day squad for the first time this year.
ITALY: Manuela Furlan (Iniziative Villorba); Aura Muzzo (Iniziative Villorba), Michela Sillari (Colorno), Beatrice Rigoni (Valsugana Padova), Sofia Stefan (Valsugana Padova); Veronica Madia (Colorno), Sara Barattin (Iniziative Villorba); Gaia Giacomoli (Colorno), Melissa Bettoni (Stade Rennais), Lucia Gai (Valsugana Padova); Valeria Fedrighi (Stade Tolousain), Giordana Duca (UR Capitolina); Ilaria Arrighetti (Stade Rennais), Giada Franco (Colorno), Elisa Giordano (Valsugana Padova)
Replacements: Lucia Cammarano (Belve Nero Verdi), Silvia Turani (Colorno), Sara Tounesi (Colorno), Valentina Ruzza (Valsugana Padova), Francesca Sberna (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano), Francesca Sgorbini (Colorno), Jessica Busato (Iniziative Villorba), Camilla Sarasso (Biella).
IRELAND: Lauren Delany (Firwood Waterloo/IQ Rugby); Eimear Considine (UL Bohemian/Munster), Sene Naoupu (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Michelle Claffey (Blackrock College/Leinster), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht); Nicole Fowley (Galwegians/Connacht), Kathryn Dane (Old Belvedere/Ulster); Laura Feely (Galwegians/Connacht), Emma Hooban (St Mary’s College/Leinster), Leah Lyons (Harlequins); Aoife McDermott (Railway Union/Leinster), Nichola Fryday (Galwegians/Connacht); Anna Caplice (Richmond), Claire Molloy (Wasps), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemian/Munster)
Replacements: Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird (UL Bohemian/Munster), Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemian/Munster), Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster), Claire McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Ulster), Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union/Leinster), Ellen Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Laura Sheehan (UL Bohemian/Munster).