KELLY HAIMONA WILL make his Six Nations debut in Italy’s tournament opener against Ireland.
The New Zealand-born out-half starts alongside Eduardo Gori for Saturday’s meeting with the defending champions in Rome.
Haimona, 28, won his first cap in the November Series win against Samoa and held down his spot for the defeats against Argentina and South Africa.
He returns again in an experienced side which sees Jacques Brunel makes just two changes from the 22-6 defeat against the Boks in Padova.
George Biagi replaces the injured Quintin Geldenhuys and starts alongside John Furno in the second row, while Francesco Minto starts at openside with Samuela Vunisa missing out.
Brunel is hoping for a repeat of the 2013 clash in Rome, which Italy won 22-15, rather than last year’s Dublin renewal which saw Joe Schmidt’s side run out 39-point winners.
“Two years ago we dominated the game,” he said. ”Last year it was impossible to avoid their domination when all the statistics, like possession and tackles, were so negative.
“Something has to change and we will try to do so.”
Italy
15. Andrea Masi
14. Leonardo Sarto
13. Michele Campagnaro
12. Luca Morisi
11. Luke McLean
10. Kelly Haimona
9. Edoardo Gori
1. Matias Aguero
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini
3. Martin Castrogiovanni
4. Josh Furno
5. George Biagi
6. Alessandro Zanni
7. Francesco Minto
8. Sergio Parisse (c)
Replacements:
16. Andrea Manici
17. Alberto De Marchi
18. Dario Chistolini
19. Marco Fuser
20. Robert Barbini
21. Guglielmo Palazzani
22. Tommaso Allan
23. Giovanbattista Venditti
Keatley and O’Brien in starting line-up as Ireland begin Six Nations defenceReturn of the magnificent 7 and more talking points from Schmidt’s team-sheet
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CAST YOUR EYES towards Rob Kearney during this afternoon’s Irish anthems and you’ll get a glimpse of what the fullback refers to as “the weakest moment of my week.”
Kearney wins his 60th Ireland cap this afternoon. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Kearney will line up alongside Johnny Sexton and the rest of his Ireland teammates, then pick out the parents’ box in the stand as Amhrán na bhFiann bursts into life, briefly allowing the emotion to sweep over him as he spots David and Siobhán.
“That’s the one time you feel at your most vulnerable,” says Kearney of the instant when he sees his proud parents watching on.
He’s been through it enough times before to regather his composure instantly, however, immediately focusing back in on the demanding task that lies ahead today. This is cap number 60 for the Louth man; his mental readiness is never an issue.
Kearney’s Ireland career began in Buenos Aires in the summer of 2007 with a debut on the left wing against the Pumas. More than seven years as the premier fullback in the country have followed, but he says this particular milestone is not one he was even aware of until midweek.
“50 is a milestone and from that perspective, that was a proud day being able to lead the boys out against Scotland in the Six Nations last year. 60 is no different to 59.”
Those 59 appearances have seen the fullback help Ireland to a Grand Slam in 2009 as well as last year’s Six Nations Championship under Joe Schmidt. Add in a central role at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and Kearney’s international career so far is an impressive one.
Still, he is far from satisfied with what he has achieved and points to a persistent hunger for more.
“We’re animals, we’re greedy. I’ve been blessed to be part of so many great teams over the last nine, 10 years and I’ve won a lot of brilliant things, but you always want more.
Kearney on his Ireland debut in 2007. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
“The 2013 Lions tour in Australia was probably the single biggest period that I’ve been disappointed with in terms of my career and how that all panned out, and a World Cup is a huge arena and a competition you want to achieve in too.”
Those wrongs can be righted in the coming months and years perhaps, but there are more pressing concerns for Kearney this weekend. As well as being a greedy breed, rugby players are short-term beings.
Schmidt has built a culture of focusing only on the next task at hand, and with Stuart Lancaster’s England visiting today there is every reason to forget about the future.
Kearney himself has played against England five times, with the 2009 victory at Croke Park remaining his only success in this fixture. He points to 2012’s dark day in Twickenham as the lowest point of his on-field relationship with the English.
The Leinster man was not involved in the home victory in Dublin in 2011, the last time Ireland beat England. Kearney argues that the recent run of four defeats against the old enemy means very little to proceedings this afternoon.
“But I’m a fan of the game, a supporter of the game, I love rugby, so naturally I’m going to look back over what’s happened in history, that’s only a natural thing.
“At the same time, I know it will have no bearing on the outcome of this game.”
Speaking of records, runs of results and such matters, Ireland have the chance to equal their best-ever winning streak of 10 today. That record has stood since 2003 and Kearney reveals that head coach Schmidt “mentioned it to us last week.”
Kearney is now a key leader for Ireland. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
Achieving 10 victories in a row is not a primal focus for Ireland though, this meeting with England being more about improving their chances of retaining the Six Nations title. Any pressure or expectation on the outside is very much that, as Kearney explains.
“You can see just how much of a bubble we’re in down at Carton House. It’s bed, to meeting rooms, to training field, to gym, to meetings, to bed. Joe Soap on the street has more insight into the expectations on the Irish rugby team than the guys in the team itself do.
“That’s probably a good thing.”
Instead of concentrating on equalling longstanding records, Kearney and Ireland will have narrowed in on the game plan and the tangible factors that can help them to beat England.
As against France last time out, the kicking game is certain to be key.
“We’ve got some of the best kicking halfbacks in the world, some of the best catchers in the world; you’d be mad not to play to your strengths. Sometimes the kicking game gets unfair criticism, but you’d be mad not to take to the field and not do things you’re good at.”
Whatever about playing to strengths, one senses that there is more to come from Ireland in terms of passing and attacking teams on the outside edge. Kearney agrees, but also points to the difficulty of doing so against a team like England.
Kearney’s aerial ability is crucial for Ireland. Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO
“Against France we certainly left a few opportunities out there. England do rush very hard, they play strong up, so being able to get to those outside channels is a little bit more difficult.
“The chances of back lines being able to throw two long passes now are diminished, because by the time that second man gets the ball, he’s hit. I think it’s a combination of being a little bit more ballsy sometimes to throw that pass into the next channel, and the strong, hard-up defences making it more difficult.
“One intercept is the game now, seven points is the game changed. It’s getting there, and it will come. It’s something we have spoken about, something we recognise we need to get a little better at.”
Simon Hick Column: ‘Don’t hate the players, hate the game’Ireland’s 5 best days against England in the Six Nations
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CONNACHT WERE BEATEN at the death in Cardiff last night, as a late try put a hefty dent in their Pro12 top six ambitions.
The home side crossed the line in injury time but Pat Lam isn’t satisfied with the level of officiating late on in the 18-17 loss.
Lam was furious with the decision of touch judge Leighton Hodges to call hands in the ruck in the 83rd minute when it appeared that a Cardiff player had knocked on, which would have seen the westerners secure a 17-11 victory.
After the game, Lam spoke to Rob Murphy of Knockon.ie, and with the aid of a laptop he explained exactly how he felt Connacht had been let down by the officials.
“I’m extremely gutted and disappointed and there is a changing room there that deserved more,” Lam said.
Lam went on to say he will lodge a former complaint with referee chief Ed Morrison about Hodges’ decision.
The Connacht boss stressed that he wasn’t merely making a knee-jerk reaction to a defeat.
“All I want to talk about here is facts, not opinion,” Lam said.
“That is pretty clear.”
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Lam then said that he hopes Hodges is taken off the Munster v Connacht game in three weeks time, which he is currently down to officiate.
You can listen to the full interview here.
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IRELAND COACH JOE Schmidt cut a disconsolate figure after Ireland’s 23 – 16 defeat to Wales in the Millennium Stadium.
Scott Williams second half try put the Grand Slam beyond Ireland and reeled the reigning champions back into a title race with their hosts today and England.
“When you know it’s going to be such a fine margin, when those things escape you you know you’ve got to fight your way back in to the game,” the New Zealander told RTE post-match.
“I thought we did that really well and even right at the end I thought we got our maul set up really well and it was disappointing not to come out with one point at the end of it.”
Though he needed little reminding that the Championship remains an active target despite the loss, Schmidt moves to compare the loss in Cardiff to his last.
“A lot of credit falls on the Welsh defence and a bit of our inaccuracy.”
He added: “The fine margins got away on us.
“We probably lost the battle in the air, we got slow ruck ball in that second half – the way it was in the first half, if you were at all near the ball you were quickly penalised – we just didn’t get that consistency in the second half. And we didn’t quite get the speed of ruck ball that would have helped us, but we didn’t help ourselves.
“We’ve only got ourselves to blame and a lot of credit has to go to the Welsh defence. They made a lot of tackles and they hung in really well when we did get pressure inside their 22.”
Ireland’s Grand Slam dream ended by ferocious Wales win in CardiffHere’s how we rated Ireland in the heart-stopping defeat to Wales
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Charly Caruso was on Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia, discussing her parent’s divorce, her initial contact with WWE, and much more…
On Her Initial Contact With WWE: It just so happened that SmackDown was in Indianapolis [her hometown] and I was with a friend of mine, who was a huge WWE fan and he had backstage passes, so he asked me if I wanted to go because he knew that when I was growing up I was really into it. For a couple year span [I was into it]. It was the height of the Attitude Era and I loved it, so him and I would talk about it sometimes and he was like, ‘Hey, I have these passes and tickets to the show. Do you want to go?’ I was like, ‘Of course.’ So, I come to SmackDown and I’m just backstage hanging out and I see Mark Carrano, whom I recognize from Total Divas, so at this point I’m unemployed technically…and not really sure what my next move is, so I approach him and say, ‘Hey, I’m a sports broadcaster, do you think I could pass along my reel and you can take a look at it? If nothing else, you can give me a critique.’ I didn’t know how things worked around here. He said, ‘Sure, why not?’ I send it to him. I hear nothing back for a couple months. I reach out to him and he says, ‘Resend it to me,’ so I send it to him again and he says, ‘Oh, I think you’re good. I’m gonna pass this along to Michael Cole.’ From there he was like, ‘We want you to come in and audition.’ At this point, I had already verbally accepted a position to be a sports anchor in Washington, DC, at an old station I interned at, so I had to backtrack after the audition and WWE offering me a position. I said, ‘I know I said I would take this job, but after thinking about it, I’m actually gonna go with WWE,’ so here I am.
On The Life-long Impact Of That One Day: I came to SmackDown and passed along my reel and if it wouldn’t have been for that moment, I never – I promise you – would never have been working for WWE. It was just one of those perfect – I was at the right place at the right time and I met the right person and we developed a relationship. It’s crazy to think about just that one day now has affected the past 2.5 years of my life and probably will for the rest of my life….I said I already accepted a job in DC and I said, ‘You know what? What’s the harm in going and auditioning? Why not make the contact and who knows what could happen down the road?’ The way it worked out I went and auditioned and I was so loose about it because I was like, ‘Who cares?’ I actually ended up probably doing better than I would have had I been like, ‘Oh my God, this is the job I want.’ I did great and they were like, ‘We don’t have an open position because we wanted to get you in here anyway because with WWE you never know what could happen.’ Three days later – I just put my deposit down on my condo in DC because I was like, ‘This is what’s going to happen’ – and Michael Cole called me and said, ‘Hey, remember when I told you we didn’t have an opening, but anything can happen? Now, we have an immediate opening.’ It was when Brandi left and it was just suddenly. It all happened so suddenly, so then they were like, ‘We want to hire you.’ I was like, ‘Shoot, what do I do?’ I’ve already now totally focused my sights on going to DC and it was just a few weeks of ‘What Should I Do?’ I ended up here and it’s just wild.
On Struggles With Her Parents’ Divorce: My dad and I – we have a different relationship. We’re super close, not like my mom and I, but you know my parents are divorced now too. The divorce was finalized at the end of my sophomore year of college. It was tough because I was old enough to know exactly what was going on and I was aware of the situation. No divorce is easy. Some divorces are more difficult than others. I would categorize this in the more difficult than others just because the circumstances surrounding it, but it was tough, so it is still something that I think still affects me in ways that I don’t even realize. I was actually just this morning watching a video that my friend posted online of her parents playing air hockey and they were having so much fun and I was like, ‘I never had those memories of my parents.’ Just like having tons of fun together – not that I didn’t, but when I look back on my growing up, those aren’t the first things that come to mind and I think that affects me in a lot of ways where I have kind of a skewed vision on what a relationship is and should be.
On Her Father Not Often Being Around When She Was Growing Up: Back then I wasn’t as aware. My dad would come to things, if I had games or whatever, but it was usually my mom, for example, taking me to practice or doing my homework with me post-practice, or waking up early with me to study for a test, but it was just like the normal thing. It was just the role my mom always filled. I don’t think I realized it then, but now looking back, I do have some resentment towards my dad for not being there probably as much as he should have, but there’s not much you can do. My dad and I are in the process of trying to repair our relationship a little bit and like I said, we’re not not close. We are close, but it’s just a very different relationship than what I have with my mom and not the relationship – I think – that as his only daughter, I would want to have with him, but we are trying to take steps to get closer and in deeper ways, not just on the surface.
On Whether Her Parents Fought In Front Of Her: Yeah, I would be around, whether it would be intentionally in front of me or I would hear it from my room or whatever the case, but yeah I heard a lot of fighting and being that my mom and I were so close usually my mom would come and talk to me about things that were going on. It wasn’t like she was trying to make me pick sides. My mom and I are like best friends and like sisters and maybe not even necessarily talking to me, but I would hear her talking to her mom about it and I’d overhear. Looking back to where we were having the discussion about siblings [Caruso is an only child], I think that is one area that I would have loved to have someone that is a support for me. It is a lot when you’re an only child and seeing this and you don’t really have anyone to turn to. I had my friends, but they didn’t understand because they weren’t there, so it would have probably been nice to have someone and even now like, ‘What do you think I should do?’ You don’t want to go to either one of your parents because they’re divorced and it’s not like they necessarily care for each other in that way.
On The Impact Her Parents’ Relationship Has On Her Own Relationships: I think, for me, it’s created a little bit of a barrier because when I meet someone, I’m pretty guarded and I don’t know if it’s necessarily because of him. We all have past experiences that have our defenses up and things like that, but I think there is probably part of me where I’m just not used to seeing these really healthy and strong relationships, so then I’m almost like, ‘Is it possible for me to have one?’ I will also say that dating now and relationships are so much different now with social media and technology. Trying to date in this era – especially in New York City – it is a trip.
On Past Difficulties Dating & Advice She Recently Gave WWE Superstar Paige: I’ve had guys that I dated that were like, ‘Are you hooking up with the wrestlers?’ OK, just relax, if you’re my boyfriend there’s nothing to worry about. You shouldn’t have to worry about other people and I think a lot of people get intimidated because they’re like, ‘You’re around these attractive people all the time,’ or when I was with a news station and I was covering the NFL and the NBA and they were like, ‘I don’t like you being around those people.’ I was like, ‘This is my job and you don’t really have a say in it and this is how it’s gonna be.’ You need a really strong guy that’s secure with himself and also just supportive of what you’re doing….I was having this conversation with Paige because she just broke up with her boyfriend semi-recently and I told her, ‘Every guy says that they want this strong confident women and that’s what they love about you and it’s only a matter of time in a lot of situations where they start resenting you for that and then they’re like they can’t keep up with you or they don’t like that you’re so dominant or so successful because it makes them feel insecure.’ It isn’t the case with everybody, but in my past experiences that is how it has been a lot of the time.Click Here: Luke Shaw Jersey Sale
Garbally captain Simon Keller lifts the Connacht Schools Senior Cup. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
WE HAD THREE exciting schools rugby finals yesterday and Connacht’s decider didn’t disappoint this afternoon with Garbally College pipping Summerhill 19-18 at The Sportsground.
The Sligo school scored a try with four minutes remaining to reduce the gap to a single point but a missed conversion allowed their Galway opponents eke out a narrow win.
After Garbally took an early lead following a penalty from Simon Keller, second row Ciaran Cassidy put Summerhill ahead with a try, which was converted by Jack Keegan.
The Galway school responded strongly though, with flanker Michael O’Neill touching down four minutes before the half to restore his side’s lead.
Keller and Keegan then traded penalties as Garbally took a 13-10 advantage into the dressing room.
Two further penalties from Keller to one from Keegan gave Garbally a six-point buffer as the game entered its final minutes, and despite scoring their second try, Summerhill came up just short.
Rafik Khan celebrates Michael O’Neill’s first half try. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
It was Garbally’s 45th Connacht Schools Senior Cup win.
Earlier in the day, CBS Roscommon captured the Connacht Schools Junior Cup for the very first time after a comprehensive 36-0 win over Coláiste Iognáid.
The opening 20 minutes were a cagey affair with neither side taking the initiative before second row Rian Biesty crashed over to give the Roscommon side a 7-0 lead.
Biesty scores the game’s opening try. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Prop Melvin Conteh burrowed over seven minutes later to give his team a 12-0 advantage at the break.
The second half saw Roscommon CBS pull away, with further tries from Conteh, centre Jason Hoare (two) and captain James Brandon giving them a resounding 36-point win.
CBS Roscommon captain Jason Brandon lifts the cup with his team-mates. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
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FORMER LEINSTER HOOKER Tom Sexton made his Super Rugby debut for the Melbourne Rebels in the Australian franchise’s 36-12 defeat to the Hurricanes this morning.
Sexton in Leinster colours back in 2012. Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO
The 25-year-old came off the bench in the 58th minute of the clash in Wellington and got through a handful of carries and tackles.
The Rebels – coached by former Munster boss Tony McGahan – failed to pick up their second win of the season, but remained competitive throughout against the top-of-the-table Hurricanes.
For Sexton, this appearance was just reward for his hard work in Melbourne since arriving from Leinster in 2013. An ACL injury meant he missed the entire 2014 Super Rugby season, but the former Ireland U20 hooker has returned to fitness in style.
A native of Melbourne, Sexton left Australia at the age of four to move to Ireland with his family, and was educated in Belvedere College. Indeed, the front row captained the school to their most recent Leinster Schools Senior Cup title in 2008.
The Lansdowne FC clubman went on to make eight senior Leinster appearances under Joe Schmidt, including two starts in the Pro12 in the 2012/13 season.
The lure of a Super Rugby contract in his native land proved too hard to resist thereafter, particularly with Sexton remaining qualified to play for Australia.
Source: tomsexton02/Instagram
Unfortunately for Sexton, his debut came in defeat as the impressive Hurricanes ran in five tries in their 36-12 victory to maintain top spot in Super Rugby.
TJ Perenara, Cory Jane and Callum Gibbins all bagged tries, while the electric Nehe Milner-Skudder dotted down twice in just 10 minutes on the pitch.
In this morning’s other Super Rugby action, the return from injury of Wallabies out-half Quade Cooper couldn’t prevent the Reds from going down to an 18-17 home defeat against the Lions.
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Reds head coach Richard Graham will come under even more pressure after this result, with the franchise having won just once in six games so far this season.
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YOUR ATTENTION IS probably on the Aviva Stadium at the moment as Leinster take on Bath but there is some great rugby going on in Durban too. The Crusaders have travelled to play the Sharks and Todd Blackadder’s men are killing the home side.
They currently lead 45-3 midway through the second half and the Sharks were reduced to 14 after Jean Deysel recklessly used his knee.
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You don’t see knees used all that often in rugby but when you do – like Pacal Pape on Jamie Heaslip and Nathan Hughes on George North – they often result in massive damage to the recipient.
Good on the referee for showing red.
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ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP OUTFIT Jersey RFC have announced the signings of Irishmen Ross Adair and Charlie Butterworth from Ulster.
Both players will join the Islanders this summer.
Former Lansdowne FC man Butterworth is on his way to Jersey. Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Highly-rated 20-year-old wing Adair scored a try on his debut for Ulster last month after coming off the bench against the Dragons in Wales.
The Holywood man has played for Ireland at U20 level and will hope to gain first-team experience under head coach Harvey Biljon when he links up with Jersey, who currently have former Leinster and Leicester back row Michael Noone on the books.
Butterworth, 24, joined Ulster at the start of the season from Ulster Bank League side Lansdowne FC. The openside flanker had hoped for Pro12 chances with Neil Doak’s side, but was instead restricted to Ulster’s British and Irish Cup campaign.
Wicklow man Butterworth now looks forward to the next step in his professional career with similar aspirations to Adair in terms of first-team rugby.
The Ulster duo join compatriots such as Darren O’Shea, Niall Annett [both Worcester], Sean Scanlon, Michael Keating, Adam Macklin, Willie Ryan [all Rotherham], Jack O’Connell, Darren Hudson [both Bristol], Declan Cusack and Eoghan Grace [both Plymouth] in leaving one of the provinces to join a Championship side.
Ballynahinch man Adair scored against the Dragons last month. Source: Ian Cook/INPHO
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Jersey are eighth in England’s second tier with two regular-season games remaining, so Butterworth and Adair will be looking to drive the club up the table next season.
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