Wales vs Italy 2018

ScrubsfanChris

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

You would still take Italy to beat Georgia 9 times out of 10

Well let's test it then. What have Italy done to deserve a place? Behind Georgia in the rankings too.

Jack Kanoff

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Well let's test it then. What have Italy done to deserve a place? Behind Georgia in the rankings too.

Because they are playing tier 1 nations constantly, Georgia aren't.
All the best Georgian players are playing abroad still? .... Could be fun trying to get them all together for 2 months for the 6n.

stephen_n

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Well let's test it then. What have Italy done to deserve a place? Behind Georgia in the rankings too.

That’s because Georgia rarely play tier 1 opposition, while Italy do at least 5 Times a season.

Burkie1203

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Well let's test it then. What have Italy done to deserve a place? Behind Georgia in the rankings too.

Italy play a heap of games against better teams. Georgia dont. The rankings aren't a fair reflection

ScrubsfanChris

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

Because they are playing tier 1 nations constantly, Georgia aren't.
All the best Georgian players are playing abroad still? .... Could be fun trying to get them all together for 2 months for the 6n.

Maybe, but they are not given the chance to prove otherwise. They've asked to be involved in the six nations and been rejected many times. Pointless winning the tier 2 Europe every year with no reward of moving up.

Jack Kanoff

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Maybe, but they are not given the chance to prove otherwise. They've asked to be involved in the six nations and been rejected many times. Pointless winning the tier 2 Europe every year with no reward of moving up.

You can't kick the Italians out of the 6n...would have too much of a negative effect on the game there and the Pro14 would suffer as well ....
Georgia need to get to a world cup QF to have a hope of changing people's minds

ELM327

Promotion relegation playoff IMO between the 6N and the other league each year. Fairest way to sort it.

Jack Kanoff

ELM327 wrote: »

Promotion relegation playoff IMO between the 6N and the other league each year. Fairest way to sort it.

Cant happen...won't happen imo... Italy don't the Scots have had some horrible years too...would have a huge and negative effect on the club game.

ScrubsfanChris

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

You can't kick the Italians out of the 6n...would have too much of a negative effect on the game there and the Pro14 would suffer as well ....
Georgia need to get to a world cup QF to have a hope of changing people's minds

Point out where exactly I said Italy should be kicked out?
Add Georgia or relegation play off.

Also Italy have never finhsed better than 3rd in their group at every world cup so that point is nonsense .

ELM327

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

Cant happen...won't happen imo... Italy don't the Scots have had some horrible years too...would have a huge and negative effect on the club game.

Where's the incentive for the nations at the top of tier2 (ie Georgia) to improve then

Jack Kanoff

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Point out where exactly I said Italy should be kicked out?
Add Georgia or relegation play off.

Neither works, play off for the reasons I stated...and adding probably won't work as you're adding another 2 weeks? to the international calendar....can't see too many nations voting for that

ScrubsfanChris

Jack Kanoff wrote: »

Neither works, play off for the reasons I stated...and adding probably won't work as you're adding another 2 weeks? to the international calendar....can't see too many nations voting for that

And what points are those?
Getting the players together? They manage to do it pretty fine for the current tournament they compete in.
And could argue a more prestigious run of games would make it even easier to collect together a squad.

ScrubsfanChris

Listening to BBC commentary, Brian Moore talking a bit of sense for once, about exactly this, teams in tier 2 not given the opportunity.

Utah_Saint

Welsh fans are miserable, barely a polite clap for that Italy score. It's not like it's a tight game!

razorblunt

If Georgia were to come through you can be damn sure they’d be given a spot 10years too late, just like the Italians were.

I’d love to see a team from Tbilisi in the Pro 14, make them like the Jaguares.

Clegg

Parisse has been on the decline for a few seasons but generally still been Italy's best player. But he's been very poor this year. Sad to say it but he may have stayed on a year too long.

ELM327

Clegg wrote: »

Parisse has been on the decline for a few seasons but generally still been Italy's best player. But he's been very poor this year. Sad to say it but he may have stayed on a year too long.

That's the problem with being a world-class player on a poor team.
Even when you're seriously past it you're still head and shoulders above the team.

Beechwoodspark

Excuse my ignorance but Who was the black guy in the stand that the camera zoomed in on a few times?

thomond2006

It's a strange situation. Benetton and Zebre have made noticeable improvement this season and a similar improvement hasn't manifested itself at international level.

COS always talks a good game but he must be under pressure now.

Burkie1203

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's a strange situation. Benetton and Zebre have made noticeable improvement this season and a similar improvement hasn't manifested itself at international level.

COS always talks a good game but he must be under pressure now.

This is similar to the Ulster scenario. Italy need to fix the structures for long term benefit. Constantly changing coaches just won't fix anything. The improvements at club level will take time to move up a level

Leinstertomas

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Excuse my ignorance but Who was the black guy in the stand that the camera zoomed in on a few times?

Faletau's dad

C__MC

Can we just revert back to a five nations?

The Italy experience is absolutely shambolic, routed every game for 50 odd points.

Beechwoodspark

Leinstertomas wrote: »

Faletau's dad

Ah right ok-thanks

Didactic Ninja

Italy are a waste of everyone's time.
Bar the away day to Rome they add nothing.
Cannon fodder and points difference makers for others.


I do like the fullback though.

Didactic Ninja

Garces adding another gaffe to his c.v also.

prawnsambo

C__MC wrote: »

Can we just revert back to a five nations?

The Italy experience is absolutely shambolic, routed every game for 50 odd points.

And lose an exuse for a trip to Rome every two years? Never!