PLAYER RATINGS: Six Nations fodder
The Italians were thrashed 19-56 by Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Conor O'Shea's side did little to suggest that they can pick up a win this year.
Warren Fortune rates the Italian players!
15 Matteo Minozzi:
The best Italian player on the park in Dublin. He broke through the Irish defence one a few occasions – one of his breaks led to Edoardo Gori's try in the second half. He also capped off a fine performance with a try in the corner later in the game.
7/10
14 Tommaso Benvenuti:
It was a shocking display on defence by the No.14. The Irish found acres of space on his wing where he missed a number of tackles.
3/10
13 Tommaso Boni:
His defensive lapses led to two of Ireland's tries and he wasn't as imposing on attack as he was against the English in Rome last weekend.
2/10
12 Tommaso Castello:
He created a fine try for Tommaso Allan with a great break in the second half, but he also threw a loose pass which Jacob Stockdale intercepted before sprinting in for a try. He was also dodgy in defence as well.
4/10
11 Mattia Bellini:
The wing had a few good runs with the ball. However, like his teammate on the other wing, he missed a number of tackles out wide against a dangerous Irish attack.
3/10
10 Tommaso Allan
He was not as effective with ball in hand, but he did score one of his team's tries. He was a marked man at the Aviva Stadium.
4/10
9 Marcello Violi:
Another predictable performance from the scrumhalf. Ireland could read him like a book when he fed his backline from the base of the ruck.
3/10
8 Sergio Parisse (captain):
Another who gifted Ireland with a try with a poor pass. However, he put in a better performance with ball in hand this week. The veteran was also solid on defence as well.
5/10
7 Abraham Steyn:
Most of his work was in defence and he was better at it than some of his teammates. He was not used enough on attack, especially around the rucks.
4/10
6 Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio:
He did make much of an impact with ball in hand, but he was outstanding on defence where he surprisingly never missed a tackle.
4/10
5 Dean Budd:
The big man gave away a few penalties and he was brought down way too easily in open play. He was also made to make a number of tackles.
3/10
4 Alessandro Zanni:
He made more tackles than any other player on the field and he missed one. He didn't get many opportunities with ball in hand and when he did get it, he did not make much impact.
4/10
3 Simone Ferrari:
He gave away two penalties and made no metres when he got the ball. He was solid enough in the scrums.
3/10
2 Luca Bigi:
Besides throwing in the line-out, most of his contribution was defensive work, which is just not good enough at this level.
2/10
1 Nicola Quaglio:
He left the field a few minutes before half-time with an injury. However, he was almost non-existent in open play.
1/10
Replacements:
16 Leonardo Ghiraldini (On for Bigi, 45th min):
He was not that much better than Bigi. He hardly got the ball and just made a few tackles.
2/10
17 Andrea Lovotti (On for Quaglio, 37th min):
Another one with a poor work rate around the park and he missed a few tackles as well.
2/10
18 Tiziano Pasquali (On for Ferrari, 54th min):
He made a few tackles in open play and was solid in the scrums, but other than that he was anonymous for most of the time he was on the field.
2/10
19 Federico Ruzza (On for Negri, 58th min):
He carried the ball a few times without success and he did absolutely nothing to help his side's cause. He didn't make one tackle.
2/10
20 Maxime Mata Mbanda (On for Steyn, 45th min):
He certainly looked for work when he came onto the field. he carried the ball strongly in open play.
4/10
21 Edoardo Gori (On for Violi, 58th min):
He lifted his side's attack and he made a few good runs. He also scored a fantastic try.
5/10
22 Carlo Canna:
Not used
23 Jayden Hayward (On for Boni, 54th min):
He looked dangerous with ball in hand and he certainly troubled the Irish defence. He also had a hand in one of his team's tries.
6/10
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