Ireland v Italy: Five areas of Italian weakness ahead of Sunday’s clash

Captain Michele Lamaro of Italy talks to his teammates after their Six Nations defeat to England. Photograph: Giampiero Sposito/Getty Imagescan use to beat a given opponent. Cynics may say they only need one against Sunday’s opposition given their record: turn up., albeit by a narrow three-point margin, to England last weekend. Signs of progress could be seen, but many of the failings that cost Italy were consistent with the flaws shown in recent years.

On the flip side, Italy’s attempts to get the ball out of their own 22 were poor last week. Alessandro Garbisi, starting at nine instead of Stephen Varney, often opted to kick high contestables when clearing. This frequently gave England possession close to the Italian line. Garbisi also had one kick charged down. He was hooked after 53 minutes for Varney who looked far more assured when using the boot to get out of the 22.

In last year’s Six Nations, Italy averaged just over 21 kicks per game. On Saturday, they kicked 24 times during open play. Yet despite kicking more often, Italy only kicked for 547 metres. Their per game average last year was just under 605 metres. Quality does not equal quantity. After half-time, England’s rush defence was better connected and left fewer gaps. Their blitz therefore shut down at least four different wide attacks by forcing errors or rucking over isolated carriers caught behind the gainline.A big part of England’s successful blitz defence, especially in the second half, was the speed – or lack thereof – of Italy’s breakdown.

Italy struggle at creating their own quick possession and slowing down the opposition’s. In attack, this leads to problems when protecting their ball, both on the floor and when trying to go wide against a defence that has time to set. Italy’s 14.4 turnovers conceded per match last year was the second most in the Six Nations.For all the talk of kick metres, territorial battles, entries into the 22 and breakdown efficiency, sometimes the most glaring problems are the simple ones.

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