No win in 21 – but Italy back O’shea
Polledri praises coach ahead of French clash Brunel: My team cannot compete at the top level
If not now, when? Italy’s dismal Six Nations run of 21 straight matches without a win has overshadowed all the good work taking place in Italian rugby this season.
France may have sparkled against Scotland, but in the context of the Six Nations that performance appears to be an anomaly. Dismantled by Ireland in Dublin last Sunday, Jacques Brunel’s side are there for the taking.
Conor O’shea is yet to taste victory as head coach of the Azzurri, yet ask his players about the work going on behind the scenes and the response is constantly enthusiastic. Take Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri, restored to the Italian starting line-up this week after coming off the bench against England.
“He [O’shea] has not only come over and changed the whole approach of the national side in terms of professionalism and fitness – he has done that at all the clubs,” Polledri said. “Benetton are second in their Pro14 group and doing un- believably well, even with so many players away on international duty. We have a massive amount of young players coming through.
“Conor has made a massive change-up and it has worked for the best. There are rumours that he could be questioned about his job. If they were to get rid of him it would be one, ridiculous, two, stupid. And three, they need him. They need someone in there who has that taste of professionalism and knows what they’re doing. He is just so valuable.”
Odd as it may seem given Italy’s losing run in the Six Nations, they arguably offer up more cause for optimism than today’s opponents. France’s away defeats by England and Ireland were chastening. So poor, in fact, that Brunel does not even recognise that side.
“We are not at the level of some of the other teams in this championship. But the team that played against Ireland and England – that was not the real French team,” Brunel said. “We haven’t fixed everything, of course. There are still things we need to work on. We will carry on working hard and, with the World Cup to come, we are hopeful we can get it right.”