Player Ratings: Italy
Yesterday at 18:06
OPINION: A brave and ambitious performance from Italy, who made Ireland work extremely hard for a 22-17 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
Here's how we rated the Azzurri, who were often the better team in this encounter.
1. Danilo Fischetti – 6
A steady presence at scrum time, Fischetti looked comfortable locking horns with Ireland's Finlay Bealham. He showed decent mobility around the park but didn't have too many highlight-reel moments with ball in hand.
2. Gianmarco Lucchesi – 6
A big improvement on the awful Giacomo Nicotera against England. This time around, the set-piece was more assured. Carried hard when needed and kept the lineout ticking over.
3. Simone Ferrari – 6
Part of a front row that stood firm in the scrum. Ferrari was another who didn't get many chances to shine in open play but did exactly what was asked of him at the set-piece.
4. Dino Lamb – NA
Unfortunately departed after just 18 minutes. Not enough time on the field to warrant a rating.
5. Federico Ruzza – 6.5
A typically industrious performance from the tall lock. Worked hard on defensive duties and was a safe option at lineout time, though he didn't do anything especially spectacular.
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6. Sebastian Negri – 6
Started with good intent but was forced off after 29 minutes. Made some robust tackles and carried stoutly in his short cameo. Can feel frustrated at having his game cut short.
7. Manuel Zuliani – 6
Quietly went about his work on the flank. Put in some graft at the breakdown and offered himself as a runner around the fringes, though Ireland largely contained him.
8. Lorenzo Cannone – 6.5
Solid but never dominant. Showed willingness to take on the Irish pack in the collisions and chipped in defensively. Part of a back row that gave as good as it got.
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9. Martin Page-Relo – 8
Electrifying in bursts, with a couple of sniping breaks around the fringe that kept Ireland honest. However, he also had quieter spells. Did a fair job distributing before being replaced.
10. Paolo Garbisi – 4.5
A mixed bag. He sparked the Italian attack at times – most notably providing a great assist for Monty Ioane's opening try – but coughed up possession too frequently. Needs a touch more consistency.
11. Monty Ioane – 8
Razor sharp. He was a constant threat out wide and got Italy on the scoreboard in style. Beat defenders with ease and stretched the Irish defence more than once.
12. Tommaso Menoncello – 9.5
A colossus in the midfield. Broke the line at will, carried with power and pace, and brought real impetus to Italy's attack. One of Italy's standout performers on the day. He beat nine defenders this afternoon, which might be a single match record this Six Nations.
13. Juan Ignacio Brex – 8
Another key man in that excellent centre partnership. Communicated well in defence and set up space outside him in attack. Solid in the tackle and creative with ball in hand. A true gladiator of Rome.
14. Ange Capuozzo – 8
Showed plenty of his usual elusive running. The conditions in the second half didn't help him, and Ireland often kicked away from his channels to nullify his threat.
15. Tommaso Allan – 6.5
Kicked reasonably well at goal and out of hand, pinning Ireland back on occasion. Always a calm head in the backfield, though the swirling weather tested him under the high ball.
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Replacements:
16. Giacomo Nicotera – 3
A disastrous cameo. Came on late and was shown a yellow card for foul play, capping a dreadful performance. A day to forget, as was last weekend's mess.
17. Mirco Spagnolo – 6
Brought on to shore up the front row. Made a couple of decent tackles and scrummaged well enough without making huge waves.
18. Giosue Zilocchi – 6
Like Spagnolo, offered a steady hand in the scrum. Ireland's pack never truly dominated, so credit to the replacements for holding firm.
19. Niccolo Cannone – 8
Outstanding impact off the bench after coming on in the 19th minute. Smashed into everything that moved, carried relentlessly, and made some bruising hits in defence. Exactly the sort of lift Italy needed.
20. Michele Lamaro – 4
Came on for Negri but had a short and ill-fated outing, earning a red card for a moment of brainrot when he tapped the ball out of Jamison Gibson-Park's hands. He tossed his gumshield in frustration, knowing he had let the team down.
21. Ross Vintcent – 4
Unlucky to see red after a clumsy head-on-head collision with Hugo Keenan. It wasn't malicious, but the outcome was never in doubt for the Exeter Chiefs' No.8.
22. Stephen Varney – 8
Brought plenty of energy and seized his chance with a try, pouncing on an awkward bouncing kick. Injected tempo to the Italian attack and looked dangerous.
23. Leonardo Marin – 8
Had limited time to make an impression after entering late on, but he managed to, beating two defenders in the space of 5 minutes.
