The Rugby World Cup 2019 Book by Graeme Copas

Author:Graeme Copas
Language: deu
Format: epub
Publisher: Meyer & Meyer
Published: 2019-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

TEAM STYLE

In 2017, Italy bamboozled England by constantly putting a player between scrum-half Danny Care and fly-half George Ford, seemingly in an offside position.

However, by not committing a single player to the tackle area, the referee could not call a ruck, and apart from the tackle area, there is no offside. The Italian players could stand where they wanted, it was perfectly legal, even if morally questionable.

It was a shrewd ploy by Conor O’Shea – which has since been outlawed – foxing the most experienced of England players. The looks of confusion on the faces of England’s Dylan Hartley and James Haskell, as they quizzed the referee, were memorable. Italy eventually lost 36-15 but it was 10-5 at half-time and they avoided the feared landslide defeat beforehand. But this inventive game plan is rare from the Azzurri.

They are predominantly a team which is reliant on powerful, courageous forwards, producing a dominant set piece. They can enjoy lengthy periods of possession, and territory is often their friend. However, they lack a cutting edge to turn possession into points. Their frustrating 2019 Six Nations defeat to France highlights this.

They have talent in their backline, among some of the younger players, shown when they scored three eye-catching late tries against Scotland in February. But these came when the game had already been lost.

All of Italy’s leaders are forwards, and that says all you need to know about what style to expect from them at the World Cup.

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