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Gethin's latest blog about today's matches
18/03/2011
Still delighted for Italy. Honestly can't see how they would have done any training this week, they must have drained Roma dry of red wine following their amazing victory against the French! I fear that they will be looking for the 'dregs' against Scotland though. Italy do not travel well, and there's NO way Andy Robinson will want to end this stuttering 6 Nations with the wooden spoon. All of a sudden, the Scots will look at Italy as a massive game. Italy need to find a goal kicker, and quick. Before the game last week, I think Italy were awarded more penalties (43) than any other team in the competition. Mad Mirco has only kicked 50%. Not good enough for the Premiership, let alone International rugby. What's Gianfranco Zola doing now he's left West Ham?!
On the contrary, it would have been one of the most sober of St Patrick's Day this week for the Ireland squad, but no doubt they'll be making up for missing out come Saturday night if they can turn over England in Dublin. Ireland can totally win this game, they are abrasive, dynamic in the back row, elusive out wide and…they are playing at home. History favours the men in green too - England have managed just one win in their last seven matches with Ireland (in 2008). Then again, in 2003, England lifted the trophy in true style, in Dublin.
10 of England's players are under 25 - for me, an incredible stat, because they've won games in different ways during this tournament, which shows real maturity, and good rugby brains. It will be SO interesting to see how the young guns react to the situation. Fearlessness of youth? Or will the occasion get to them? And will England fall at the final hurdle like they've done many times in the recent past when the trophy is there to be held. I have the feeling that 'Jonno' won't let this happen. Expect fireworks in this one...
Now then, what if Ireland do win. Everyone in Wales, especially those who have travelled to France, will forget about 'hwyl', and to start to hope! "Wales by 42 in Paris" - the sentence just seems grammatically incorrect! Even if the French coaching team decided to play themselves, I still don't think Wales (or any team for that matter) could pull this one off. Then again, Australia did... The impossible may have had a glimmer of beginning to even entertain the idea of this actually happening, if there was a guy who has scored more than six times what Wales need on Saturday during his 79 international appearances with the number 11 shirt on his back. Gut wrencher for Shane that he's out of what would have been his very last 6 Nations game. Whilst I'm at it, thanks for the entertainment - man you've been brilliant to watch! World Cup...
But let's focus on the game controls the destiny of the 2011 6 Nations. To finish this week, I caught up with a World Class player, who celebrates his 25th birthday next saturday by the way (don't forget to twitter him @kearneyrob!).
He's been a stand out player for Leinster since he made his debut in 2005, and shown total class in his 27 games for Ireland. He maintained that fine form in all 3 test for the British and Irish Lions in SA.. Sideline with injury at the moment, I took my chance of grabbing a word with him…
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