Both sides will have been reasonably happy after the first game, though for different reasons, but how will they fare in the first clash at the Stadio Olimpico?
My initial thoughts on Italy had been change of manager + change of ground = disaster, however, though they were beaten by France they were not humiliated, and whilst they never looked like winning, equally they never looked like being annihilated. As ever the Italian pack was strong, though they still look somewhat threadbare in the backs, but whilst the manager issued seems to have been at least allayed and possibly resolved, the question over the stadium has not yet been brought into focus.
The Stadio Olimpico is a giant beast, which distances players from fans significantly, unlike the Stadio Flaminio, Italy had made the Flaminio a hard place to go, even for the very best, and it is unclear how this will change at the Olimpico, or to what degree they can fill it - a distant small fanbase could give this match something of a behind closed doors feel to it.
For England it was a solid defensive opening, though rather short on attacking flair, though the team had only been together for 9 days. Stuart Lancaster has said there won't be many changes, though some would appear to be neccesary - certainly Morgan at 8. It seems likely that Toby Flood will start on the bench, and Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes remain absent for this game.
Perhaps the key questions are, will England have enough about them to put enough points on the board and how will the Stadio Olimpico effect the Italian behaviour?
Overall I believe England have just enough about them to edge past Italy, though I think it will be closer than I had originally thought and migth not be decided until the last 10 minutes - England by 5
What do you think? Where have I got it right / wrong?
BTW, for the predcitions its:
2pts for correctly forecasting the result, 1 pt for getting the margin within +/- 5 pts, 1 pt for being the closest prediction to the true result and 1 pt for forecasting all 3 outcomes correctly
Six Nations Forecasts - Italy Vs England
posted on 7/2/12
If Burton has a good day with the boot, Italy will win. If he doesn't, they won't.
posted on 7/2/12
Y2J... You think England will give away enough penalties inside the 40 meters. because Burton has no range.
Also he was second choice FH last week. they have a new kid playing for treviso they seem to be looking to introduce.
posted on 8/2/12
Burton's made it into the starting line up for Saturday's game.
I think England will come under a lot of pressure from a good Italian pack, so may give away a few kickable penalties. This game could be decided by a couple of points, which is why Burton has to have his kicking boots on.
posted on 8/2/12
As long as said boots are on the wrong feet, thats fine by me
posted on 8/2/12
Y2J
He could have Lionel Messi' kicking boots on but it wont make much of a difference to his lack of ability
posted on 9/2/12
This, I think, will be the stuff to leave me pining for the supermarket.
England will try to fling it around a bit but fail to click.
Italy won't bother with that fancy passing nonsense.
Grind, grind, barel legal tackle, grind, grind, grind again.
Italy 12 - 11 England.
posted on 9/2/12
Sounds like a forecast of the least thrilling tight game since, erm, well since England played Scotland
posted on 9/2/12
LOL
C'Mon gents. This could be a good game.
Im gona go for Italy to win but i will back it up with psychology nonsense!
England' inexperience will wilt infront of the massively partisan crown. While the Italian spirit will sky rocket for the same reason.
Italy by 5....
posted on 9/2/12
awww crap! i just realised that the game last week was in scotland and the Partisan crowd were of no use to the home team... DAMN IT!
posted on 9/2/12
The only way it will be a good game is if they have cheerleader mudwrestling at halftime