NPR

Build up to WC

Saturday it kick off with vs . We wil be watching the .

Italy: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Federico Ruzza (captain), 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 David Sisi, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Epalahame Faiva, 1 Federico Zani.
Replacements: 16 Marco Manfredi, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Filippo Alongi, 19 Edoardo Iachizzi, 20 Lorenzo Cannone, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Giacomo Da Re, 23 Federico Mori.

Date: Saturday, July 29
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15.15 (16.15 Italy time; 14.15 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

Is Duhan vd Merwe injured?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:35 pm Is Duhan vd Merwe injured?

Nah, many of the front line players are not taking part this afternoon, there will be around 18 changes for France next week.

For my money, Graham at 14 and Turner at 2 are the only nailed on starters for the test team

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:45 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:35 pm Is Duhan vd Merwe injured?

Nah, many of the front line players are not taking part this afternoon, there will be around 18 changes for France next week.

For my money, Graham at 14 and Turner at 2 are the only nailed on starters for the test team

Ali Price?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 1:22 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:45 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 12:35 pm Is Duhan vd Merwe injured?

Nah, many of the front line players are not taking part this afternoon, there will be around 18 changes for France next week.

For my money, Graham at 14 and Turner at 2 are the only nailed on starters for the test team

Ali Price?

He's struggled a bit this last season, he's arguably not first choice at Glasgow at the moment. Ben White is probably first choice for Scotland just now.

Graham unlucky there

How was the trip on Graham not a penalty?

Who was that that came inside on the 4 on 3? Not sure if it was Harris or Smith

Italy were sooooo narrow there

Finding the matey matey commentary a bit annoying, they keep missing stuff I want to know - who was the pivot at first receiver for the try?

Impressive boot on Healy

Scotland in being inaccurate shocker!

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:37 pm Impressive boot on Healy

Indeed, he’s been good so far

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:40 pm

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:37 pm Impressive boot on Healy

Indeed, he’s been good so far

Ali's kicking not so much.

Walker has a big future ahead of him

So, someone tell me why Italy are getting shot of Crowley after the RWC. They are looking as well organised and conditioned as they've ever been!!

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:02 pm So, someone tell me why Italy are getting shot of Crowley after the RWC. They are looking as well organised and conditioned as they've ever been!!

I was about to ask the same thing.

Rugby Unions are full of ridiculous politics though.

On one side Harris has the Italian back line under his control in defence, on the other a lot of our moves are dying around him

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:52 pm Walker has a big future ahead of him

Is he doing well in the set piece? I’ve no idea

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:16 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:52 pm Walker has a big future ahead of him

Is he doing well in the set piece? I’ve no idea

He is, Sutherland isn't

Best winger in the world over the last couple of years?

How strong was that Italy side? I recognised a fair few names but don't want to be too disparaging if it was a stronger side than Scotland's

Well certainly not a classic, lots of mistakes from both sides.

Pre season game in the pissing rain with a scratch side. Can't be too tough on them. Thought they looked in decent physical nick compared to the last WC warm ups.

Will watch again when I'm home as my two were miserable as they were cold and wet.

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 4:06 pm How strong was that Italy side? I recognised a fair few names but don't want to be too disparaging if it was a stronger side than Scotland's

In terms of depth they were on a similar par to us.

SaintK wrote: ↑Sat Jul 29, 2023 3:02 pm So, someone tell me why Italy are getting shot of Crowley after the RWC. They are looking as well organised and conditioned as they've ever been!!

How dare you question the all knowing FIR!!!!

Probably the France’ XV vs Scotland

No Dupont etc. for the next 2 games.

15. Dulin ; 14. Bielle-Biarrey, 13. Gailleton, 12. Moefana, 11. Dumortier ;
10. Jalibert, 9. Serin ;
7. Boudehent, 8. Tanga, 6. Macalou ; 5. Chalureau, 4. Woki ; 3. Bamba, 2. Bourgarit, 1. Gros.

15 Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 72 caps)
14 Paolo ODOGWU (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)
12 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
11 Montanna IOANE (Lione, 18 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 24 caps)
9 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby, 19 caps)
8 Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 10 caps)
7 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 46 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 42 caps) – capitano
4 Dino LAMB (Harlequins, esordiente)
3 Marco RICCIONI (Saracens, 21 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 31 caps)

A disposizione
16 Luca BIGI (Zebre Parma, 46 caps)
17 Paolo BUONFIGLIO (Zebre Parma, esordiente)
18 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 44 caps)
19 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
20 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 26 caps)
21 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 9 caps)
22 Alessandro FUSCO (Zebre Parma, 13 caps)
23 Lorenzo PANI (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)

I'd love to be a fly on the wall at these selection meetings
"Hey, whilst we wait for Capuozzo to return from inury, shall we give young full back Lorenzo Pani another game to gain some experience?"
"No, we should stick Tommy Allan, who we have already seen isn't well suited to the position, in there instead"

The French for Scotland



Basically B's

Should be enough

laurent wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:45 am The French for Scotland



Basically B's

Should be enough

Would be depressing if France B was better than the Scotland first XV at Murrayfield. Could easily happen, mind.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:26 pm

laurent wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:45 am The French for Scotland



Basically B's

Should be enough

Would be depressing if France B was better than the Scotland first XV at Murrayfield. Could easily happen, mind.

It's a very good side a bit light in caps but apart from 2 U20 yes they missed the world cup (Bielle-Barré Gailleton) these are no stranger to the senior squad.
Main Issue they are Still doing physical prep and being beasted.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 12:26 pm

laurent wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 11:45 am The French for Scotland



Basically B's

Should be enough

Would be depressing if France B was better than the Scotland first XV at Murrayfield. Could easily happen, mind.

We should be expecting to win this fairly well I think.

20 home based players must be the highest for a long time. last week was 18/19 depending on how Sutherland is counted.

5 Ulstermen in Ireland's XV and Sky Bet offering odds of 17/1 for an Italian win on Saturday. . . . . A no-brainer.

Home victories coming up

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Aug 04, 2023 6:55 am Home victories coming up

Got this one right