WALES
Last season: 4th
Strengths:
Wales will be buoyed by the return of some key players with Lee Byrne, Adam Jones and Stephen Jones all set to time it right just for the start of the Championships. Byrne’s comeback should add fresh impetuous to their attacking game with his raids from full-back, as well as security under the high and a huge kick return should teams insist on a kicking duel.
The Welsh will be just as delighted to see prop Adam Jones back in action. Their scrum more than creaked against Australia in November but his return to the front row alongside Gethin Jenkins and Matthew Rees should ensure a stable platform. And if they can find a way of bring them into the game, Shane Williams and Leigh Halfpenny are two of the best finishers in the Championships.
If they can correct some of their defensive alignment issues from the autumn, they have a solid centre and will be tough to crack. Stephen Jones is about as reliable as they come from the tee and Leigh Halfpenny’s mighty boot means opponents’ transgressions in their own half will be punished.
Weaknesses:
Wales have lost momentum over the past year. Their attacking game was shown up to be pedestrian and predictable during the autumn internationals, scoring just four tries in four matches, and their confidence has eroded accordingly. They have become over-reliant on the physicality of Jamie Roberts and Andy Powell, and teams worked them out (as England did last year with Joe Worsley forming a midfield wall). Their carrying game in the forwards has also lost dynamism. Greater variety will be required.
With Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel injured, scrum half is a major worry for Warren Gatland. Wales have a lack of depth which is not restricted to the number nine shirt. This, though, will be a crucial position requiring decisive leadership if Wales are to rekindle their dynamic off-loading game that so suits the likes of Martyn Williams, Gethin Jenkins and Shane Williams.
Coaches perspective: Warren Gatland - "Our first match at Twickenham could set the tone for the Championship for both sides, we will both be desperate to win that first up match. We then come to the Millennium Stadium for two home matches and the support we have there will make a huge difference to us."
Key player: Lee Byrne
The Ospreys full-back was dearly missed during the Autumn internationals but he has returned from injury and should bring an extra dimension to their attacking game. A potent strike runner, Byrne has the ability to burst into the line and break through the opposition defence with his searing pace and instinctive angles.
One to watch: Gareth Cooper
Wales have a number of youngsters, such as Tom Evans, Jonathan Davies, Sam Warburton and Dan Biggar, who could challenge the senior players. But Scarlets scrum half Gareth Cooper could be the most important. In the absence of Dwayne Peel and Mike Phillips, Cooper is favourite to take the number nine spot. Wales will be relying on the 23-year-old, aided by Scarlets team-mate Stephen Jones, to dictate the tempo of their game which will be crucial to their hopes.
Stadium: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
The proximity of the crowd to the pitch creates an intense setting. And though not as intimidating as the other stadiums, the rousing singing of the Welsh fans make for an awesome atmosphere and an impassioned Welsh team. Three fixtures at home, including against France, will be a distinct advantage.
Fixtures:
Sat 6 v England, Twickenham Stadium, London
Sat 13 v Scotland, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Fri 26 v France, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sat 13 v Ireland, Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
Sat 20 v Italy, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Six Nations candidates: Italy
Can Italy avoid the wooden spoon in this year’s RBS Six Nations? Jonny McLeod looks at Italy’s prospects for their 2010 campaign.
Strengths:
Italy have always built on strong forward foundations. The brute strength and experience of their pack, which will include the likes of Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni and Carlo Del Fava, will again be their greatest assets.
They will be formidable in the set piece and physical at the breakdown. Their scrum destroyed New Zealand’s pack – albeit an inexperienced one – during the November international at the San Siro and, with Leicester tight-head prop Castrogiovanni set to be fit for the Championships, the Italians will try to make the most of their set-piece supremacy.
Weaknesses:
The absence of Sergio Parisse is a sledgehammer blow to Italy’s hopes of avoiding a third successive wooden spoon. The Stade Francais number eight will miss the entire tournament with a knee injury sustained during the November internationals. Not only a formidable player – the best number eight in the business – Parisse’s influence as a leader will be deeply missed.
Italy’s greatest Achilles heel remains their lack of electricity in the backline. Numerous half-backs have been auditioned over past few years – including flanker Bergamasco and centre Andrea Masi – but they continue to search for the right balance of control and creativity from their playmakers.
A place-kicker of consistency is another weakness that will need to be resolved. Mirco Bergamasco and Craig Gower were both used during the autumn internationals without great success. With try-scoring a rarity for the Italians, they will have to take their chances in front of goal if they are to convert possession into points.
Coach’s perspective: Nick Mallett
Took over Italy in 2007 having won two titles at Stade Francais and guided South Africa on a record 17-match winning run. The pressure is on the South African after just one victory in two Six Nations tournaments with Italy, yet he maintains: “The team has grown in the last six months.”
Key player: Mauro Bergamasco
The Stade Francias flanker will be vital in the absence of Sergio Parisse. Bergamasco was drafted into the scrum-half role for last season’s encounter with England at Twickenham with disastrous effect, but restored to his regular position, Italy will be relying on his tough tackling and tireless work rate.
One to watch: Craig Gower
Nick Mallett could opt to persist with the former Australian rugby league captain at fly-half despite the return of Treviso number 10 Andrea Marcato from injury. The 31-year-old, who converted to union in 2007 joining French side Bayonne, is still getting to grips with the pace and tactical nuances of the international game. But if he retains the number 10 shirt, the pressure will be on to bring authority and direction to the Italian backline.
Stadium: Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Built in 1959 to host the 1960 Rome Olympics, it is the smallest stadium in the tournament but still has the potential to create a crackling atmosphere. Despite the successful experiment of playing New Zealand at the San Siro in Milan, the Stadio Flaminio remains Italy’s home.
Italy’s Six Nations Fixtures:
Sat 6 Feb v Ireland, Croke Park
Sun 14 Feb v England, Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27 Feb v Scotland, Stadio Flaminio
Sun 14 Mar v France, Stade de France
Sat 20 Mar v Wales, Millennium Stadium
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 6th
Strengths:
Italy have always built on strong forward foundations. The brute strength and experience of their pack, which will include the likes of Mauro Bergamasco, Marco Bortolami, Martin Castrogiovanni and Carlo Del Fava, will again be their greatest assets.
They will be formidable in the set piece and physical at the breakdown. Their scrum destroyed New Zealand’s pack – albeit an inexperienced one – during the November international at the San Siro and, with Leicester tight-head prop Castrogiovanni set to be fit for the Championships, the Italians will try to make the most of their set-piece supremacy.
Weaknesses:
The absence of Sergio Parisse is a sledgehammer blow to Italy’s hopes of avoiding a third successive wooden spoon. The Stade Francais number eight will miss the entire tournament with a knee injury sustained during the November internationals. Not only a formidable player – the best number eight in the business – Parisse’s influence as a leader will be deeply missed.
Italy’s greatest Achilles heel remains their lack of electricity in the backline. Numerous half-backs have been auditioned over past few years – including flanker Bergamasco and centre Andrea Masi – but they continue to search for the right balance of control and creativity from their playmakers.
A place-kicker of consistency is another weakness that will need to be resolved. Mirco Bergamasco and Craig Gower were both used during the autumn internationals without great success. With try-scoring a rarity for the Italians, they will have to take their chances in front of goal if they are to convert possession into points.
Coach’s perspective: Nick Mallett
Took over Italy in 2007 having won two titles at Stade Francais and guided South Africa on a record 17-match winning run. The pressure is on the South African after just one victory in two Six Nations tournaments with Italy, yet he maintains: “The team has grown in the last six months.”
Key player: Mauro Bergamasco
The Stade Francias flanker will be vital in the absence of Sergio Parisse. Bergamasco was drafted into the scrum-half role for last season’s encounter with England at Twickenham with disastrous effect, but restored to his regular position, Italy will be relying on his tough tackling and tireless work rate.
One to watch: Craig Gower
Nick Mallett could opt to persist with the former Australian rugby league captain at fly-half despite the return of Treviso number 10 Andrea Marcato from injury. The 31-year-old, who converted to union in 2007 joining French side Bayonne, is still getting to grips with the pace and tactical nuances of the international game. But if he retains the number 10 shirt, the pressure will be on to bring authority and direction to the Italian backline.
Stadium: Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Built in 1959 to host the 1960 Rome Olympics, it is the smallest stadium in the tournament but still has the potential to create a crackling atmosphere. Despite the successful experiment of playing New Zealand at the San Siro in Milan, the Stadio Flaminio remains Italy’s home.
Italy’s Six Nations Fixtures:
Sat 6 Feb v Ireland, Croke Park
Sun 14 Feb v England, Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27 Feb v Scotland, Stadio Flaminio
Sun 14 Mar v France, Stade de France
Sat 20 Mar v Wales, Millennium Stadium
Last season: 6th
Prediction: 6th
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