Six Nations on Sunday

Italy V Ireland


Ireland finally put in a good performance last weekend, now the big question is if they can start on Sunday where they finished against the French. The overall play last weekend was good from Ireland and they were creative going forward and put in some big tackles along the way. They were by no means unbeatable but I liked the attitude that they showed, especially when they went behind. The problem with Ireland is that they so often follow up a good performance with a poor display and im a little worried about complacency, which has also been a problem in the past. Italy let me down last week, every year we seem to say, maybe this is the year they will make the breakthrough and start giving the top teams a proper test. Going into last week’s game against the English I felt that Italy’s hard graft and heavy hitting could put England off their game. However Bergamasco had an absolute howler and Italy did their best to hand away as much easy possession as possible. Paul Griffen comes in after a 16-month absence to replace Bergamasco at nine. Mallett has also made 4 more changes with McLean coming in at number 10 for the injured Marcato. Lock Tommaso Reato will replace Marco Bortolami, who has failed to recover from a knee injury picked up at Twickenham whilst Pratichetti has been included in the starting line out.
I have been mulling over this game for ages and was not so sure as to which is the best pick to take. I believe Ireland can cover the handicap but they are such a mixed bag to predict. At least with Kidney in charge they won’t be as boring and predictable. Ladbrokes are offering 1.73 for O Gara to score 12 points or more and that to me is the best of the picks I could find. If Ireland do play well then he should get plenty of shots at the post. If Italy are any way ill disciplined then he should also get plenty of chances to kick 3 pointers, this could be a tactical battle where kicking will be crucial so im going with O Gara to kick plenty of scores and put himself in the frame for man of the match.
He’s done it so many times before for club and country that ive lost count.

PICK
O Gara to score 12 points or more (1.73 @ ladbrokes) 5 points
O Gara man of the match ( 7 @ paddy power) 2 points