All to play for as Italy take on Wales in Rome

The Italians will have to do without skipper and standout player Sergio Parisse, who has been hit by a 30-day suspension for insulting the referee when playing last weekend for his French club side Stade Francais.

AFP/Rome

Italy and Wales face off in the Six Nations at Rome’s Olympic Stadium today on starkly contrasting trajectories following the first two round of games.

The home side opened the 2013 campaign with a stunning 23-18 win over favourites France, but failed to follow up a week later with a dismal 32-10 loss to Scotland in Edinburgh.

Last year’s Grand Slam champions Wales were caught cold by a first half assault from Ireland in Cardiff to open with before rebounding with a gritty 16-6 triumph over the French at a frigid Stade de France.

That leaves plenty of question marks and a lot to play for in today’s game and the early signs are all in favour of the Welsh under interim coach Rob Howley.

The Italians will have to do without skipper and standout player Sergio Parisse, the No.8 having been hit by a 30-day suspension for insulting the referee when playing last weekend for his French club side Stade Francais.

Italy coach Jacques Brunel said that his inititial reaction to that red card was that it was a disaster for his side, but on reflection he now says that perhaps it will allow others to step up to the mark and assume their responsibilities.

“It’s better for us to concentrate on the Welsh and not get too caught up with the absence of Parisse. Other players can influence the game and we cannot be over-dependent on the one player,” he said.

Still the Frenchman, who took over as coach from Nick Mallett last year, says he is wary that the Welsh are getting back to their best after a run of eight straight losses was brought to an end in Paris.

“Against the Irish, they were at a loose end for half an hour and then it was them that controlled the game and could have easily won it in the end,” he said.

“Against France they played another great match. They are powerful, can run through the phases, and maintain a top level of play. It will be a very tough match for us, a very tough physical contest.”

The enforced replacement of Parisse apart, Brunel has made three other changes replacing his misfiring halfback pairing with the return of Kristopher Burton at fly-half and Edoardo Gori at scruum-half.

Antonio Pavenello takes over at lock from Quintin Geldenhuys, while veteran prop Martin Castrogiovanni assumes the captaincy in the absence of Parisse.

Howley has given a vote of confidence to the team that won in Paris, which means that there is no swift return for last year’s skipper Sam Warburton, who missed the Stade de France fixture due to a shoulder injury.

His role at openside flanker remains in the possession of the fast developing Justin Tipuric, who was hugely impressive against the French, with fellow back-row forward Ryan Jones keeping the captaincy.

Howley, standing in as coach for Warren Gatland, who has been seconded to take the British and Irish Lions on their summer tour of Australia, wants to see more of the same from his team.

“In France the players showed real determination and resilience and we will need that again in Rome,” the former Wales No.9 said.

“Italy have already showed so far in this campaign what they are capable of, so we know the challenge we will be facing on Saturday.”

Ireland put faith in Jackson vibe against Scots

Paddy Jackson will look to repay the trust shown to him by coach Declan Kidney when he makes his Test debut for an injury-hit Ireland away to Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield tomorrow.

With regular fly-half Jonathan Sexton one of several Ireland players ruled out through injury after a bruising 12-6 defeat by England, Kidney—often regarded as a conservative coach—could simply have called up veteran stand-off Ronan O’Gara.

But for all he is Ireland’s most-capped player, O’Gara faltered when he came off the bench to replace the injured Sexton at Lansdowne Road against England and Kidney has now made the bold call to throw talented 21-year-old Ulsterman Jackson straight in at the deep end of international rugby.

“Paddy’s inclusion was a challenge given the stature of Ronan O’Gara, but I think Paddy deserves a go,” said Kidney, who has kept O’Gara on the bench.

Ireland were forced into making five changes after injuries took a toll of their side in a bruising defeat by England in Dublin with Jackson’s Ulster team-mate Luke Marshall also making his Test debut in place of the injured Gordon D’Arcy.

Meanwhile, the pack showed two changes, with Tom Court replacing Cian Healy after the loosehead prop was suspended for stamping on England’s Dan Cole and lock Donncha O’Callaghan coming in for Mike McCarthy, out with a knee injury.