Of course he’s got it right, just like he’s got all the RWC games right. Technically we can still be knocked out of the tournament on Sunday but we’re sitting pretty at the top of the group and as long as the team performs to it’s full potential god knows what can be achieved!!

Good selection – hope we win.

The contentious decisions really only at 9 and with Earls on the wing. I think Reddan and Trimble are both unlucky to miss out, but saying that, Murray and Earls have been playing well whenever they are involved.

ROG had to play as I feel the Italians will give away a lot of kickable penalties. If Sexton were to start, at the moment, unfortuantely, we couldn’t be guaranteed of 3 points every time.

only time will tell really…. he strongly indicated that Sexton will be getting game time also. Sextons performances as a sub haven’t been great to date so will be looking for a mature appropriate gameplan from him rather than pushing for things.

I’ts a though call no matter how he called it. I would have started with jonny, his kicking aside he’s a great defender and i think our defence will be tested on sunday. As the game went on and if things were tight the Italians knew we had ROG on the bench as our trump card and the form he is in he could change the game. I feel for Trimble i think he is really on form and hope to see him take some part on sunday.

I’m delighted Ronan o’gara got the nod at centre half, I feel Italy will give away a lot of penos and at this level you need to be sticking the ball over the onion sack! My only concern is Romans age, at 41 he might start running out of steam in the final quarter.

Ahhhh…not Kaplan reffing! That will make things difficult for us. He has always been a disaster for Ireland.

its a case off damed if you do damed if you dont.but i think rog needed to start,we’ll see what happens

Still persisting with Darcy the weak part of the team he has not produced in twelve months. Sexton has filled in at No 12 and would be a better option as the other option is Wallace and he should have been left at home!

I think you’ve got to play your form player and ROG is on form. Good pick. Not sure about Darcy, but there are alternatives on the bench. Let’s see how his (and OConnell’s ) leg holds up …

100% the right decision. Sexton has done pretty well in open play, but has a had a success rate of less than 40% from placed balls – which is completely unacceptable in a team that is aspiring to reach the semi finals ( at least) of the competition. I absolutely agree with the criticism of Darcy. Both Earls & Trimble should be starting on Sunday.

Delighted to see O’Gara starting. The only issue I have with the selection is D’Arcy at 12.
At the moment his form doesn’t justify selection. Andrew Trimble is playing really well at the moment, is consistently making line breaks, and is very solid in defence.
A lot of people are saying Earls isn’t doing well and that Trimble deserves his slot, but I’d disagree with that.
Earls made a few dazzling breaks when the chances came his way and showed great pace for his first try against Russia.
Trimble has played 12 for Ireland before a few times and against the Italians his physicality would fit perfectly. I would’ve preferred to see him start next to O’Driscoll in the centre.
Does anyone know who’s reffing the game?

Against the Wallabies our centre was shored up with Jennings and O’Brien this in my opinion would be an ideal time to try something new in the centre as we rise to a different level from the Qtr’s on