O’Mahony Wary Of Italian Threat

The thoughts of Munster captain and Ireland back row Peter O’Mahony as he prepares to face Italy in the opening round of the 2015 RBS 6 Nations at the Stadio Olimpicio on Saturday.

It was against the Italians that O’Mahony made his Irish debut, getting 21 minutes off the bench at the Aviva Stadium in February 2012. The following year, at the Stadio Olimpicio, there was another debut of sorts for the Corkman when an unlikely spate of injuries during the game saw him play the final 20 minutes on the wing.

The decimation of the team through injury compounded an under par performance and saw Ireland lose to Italy (22-15) for the first time in 6 Nations competition.

O’Mahony recalls his venture to the wing last time out in Rome.

“I don’t know if it was a dream or nightmare now, to be honest. I certainly wasn’t dreaming about playing on the wing but sometimes these things happen and you have to adapt and get on with it. I certainly wasn’t learning the position from a winger. I said we’d get through it but we didn’t, we were well beaten that day.

“You certainly do question yourself when you’re defending a five-metre scrum and you’re defending 60 yards of space instead of about five, but to be fair I had Drico (Brian O’Driscoll) outside me and he was calling their plays and smashing their players at the back. It was pretty impressive to watch from the outside but it’s an eye-opener as well about what the lads do out the back.”

“That was a dark old spot, that day, last game of the 6 Nations and the personnel hasn’t changed a huge amount, which is probably the most frustrating thing about the time. We had a great group but we just weren’t showing up for each other. Disappointing times all right.”

Under new Head Coach Joe Schmidt and his management team, Ireland bounced back in exciting fashion the following season to claim the 6 Nations title, defeating the Italians 46-7 in the process.

Remaining wary of Italy this weekend, especially as the hosts look to impress their ‘tifosi’, O’Mahony’s thoughts are solely on this weekend’s performance, and not on the squad becoming the first Irish team to retain the title in almost 70 years.

“It’s literally zero of our thoughts. We haven’t talked about it. Personally it isn’t in my head. It’s a new chapter. It’s a new competition. It’s not going to help us on Saturday against Italy. It’s purely Italy first.”

Having tasted defeat on his first trip to the Stadio Olimpicio, the Munster captain is acutely aware of the munition Italy possess across the park.

“You certainly do analyse them and the way they start tournaments, especially at home. The Italian sides are extremely good, they’re really well nailed on, they’re fired up for the start of a tournament, and they’re certainly more dangerous because they’re at home and it’s going to take a big 80 minute performance from us.

“Italy have certainly added a few more strings to their bow. They’re definitely a more complete team than they were back then (2013). They’ve guys like [Alessandro] Zanni and [Sergio] Parisse back, who didn’t play last year against us. I know at 10 Kelly Haimona has brought a different dynamic to them. With guys like [Andrea] Masi and [Luke] McLean they have a great quality backline so their counter-attack, and set-piece attack, has improved a huge amount. As has their short-side stuff. I think they’re certainly more rounded team than what they were two years ago.

“Italy remain a big threat.”

Italy v Ireland, 2015 RBS 6 Nations, Saturday February 7th at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome – KO: 2:30pm (Irish time).

This game will be televised on RTE2. Follow the action online using #ShoulderToShoulder #ITAvIRE