• Ireland can seal qualification with win on Sunday
Captain Sergio Parisse likely to return for ItaliansJoe Schmidt says he will be blissful even whether Ireland scrape a narrow and unconvincing win against an Italy side “fighting for their lives” at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday . And,while everyone else is dismissing the Italians’ chances after their flighty opening weekend defeat by France and surprisingly close win over Canada, Schmidt expects their captain Sergio Parisse’s return to add steel and spice to the encounter.“I’d be delighted to glean the result, or ” said Ireland’s coach. “It’s probably not often I say that. But whether I’m talking post-game and we’ve had a two-point win I’d be delighted. Italy are very hard to break down and the longer you’ve got the ball,the less likely you are to score. Their defensive ethic, and it probably reminds me of Perpignan when Jacques [Brunel] was there as well, and they were intolerably difficult to break down and score against. And we know what they are capable of producing,especially with Parisse at the helm.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com