SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 SPORTS Italy old boys under pressure to perform LONDON: After a player strike, a poor and Wales and tensions in the camp A settlement was reached, but the There are genuine talents in the Italy Giovanbattista Vendetti and Leonardo Six Nations and a precipitous fall down have been bubbling away ever since. incident will have done little to help squad, however, none more important Sarto and centre Luca Morisi. the world rankings, Italy’s preparations Italy’s Federation president Alfredo coach Jacques Brunel craft a stable and than 31-year-old captain Sergio Parisse, But any positivity on the playing side for the Rugby World Cup could hardly Gavazzi said he was “tired of Italy’s harmonious environment in the lead- who could be set for his last World Cup is likely to be offset by the absence of have been more difficult. pensioners” in a jibe at senior mem- up to the tournament. Frenchman and will want to go out with a bang. New Zealand-born Haimona, who will That they will also be without first- bers of the squad after they slid to Brunel, who will be standing down The Stade Francais number eight is miss out after sustaining a broken arm choice flyhalf Kelly Haimona in Pool D 15th in the rankings below Georgia, after the World Cup, has made efforts widely considered to be one of the in Italy’s Six Nations finale against alongside France and Ireland with only Japan, Tonga and Fiji. Gavazzi was to turn Italy into an expansive side. game’s best in his position and his abili- Wales. Haimona had harboured hopes the top two qualifying means their reported to have tried to reduce play- Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, how- ty to get past the gain-line will be cru- of returning at some point during their hopes of success look slim. ers’ appearance fees in favour of a sys- ever, has said they still lack the mental cial to any Italian success. pool fixtures, where they also face Things started to look bleak for Italy tem of win bonuses, prompting the strength to survive setbacks and prop Despite Gavazzi’s pensioners jibe, Romania and Canada, but he failed to as their Six Nations campaign turned squad to down tools shortly after arriv- Martin Castrogiovanni has claimed the there are also some bright young Italian make the cut when the squad was sour with thumping defeats by France ing at a World Cup warm-up camp. side needs a psychologist. talents emerging like wingers announced.—Reuters Romania want to crack one-win barrier BUCHAREST: The odds are stacked against Oaks at the 2007 World Cup in France, Romania progressing beyond the World missed the tournament in New Zealand Cup’s pool phase for the first time and even four years ago after withdrawing at the a target of two victories seem hardly very last moment due to a fear of flying. achievable. The Black Sea team are known for their The Oaks, who have played in every huge forwards, led by Mihai Lazar, who has World Cup since the inaugural tournament played in France since 2009 and won a Top in 1987 but notched only five wins, may 14 title with Castres Olympique two years return home empty handed from a tough ago. Pool D the includes France, Ireland, Italy “I want this World Cup to remain in and Canada. Romanian rugby history as the first time Romania won the Nations Cup, also we’ve achieved two victories,” said Lazar. known as the ‘Six Nations B’, for the third Romania will automatically qualify for the time in four years in June yet such is the 2019 World Cup in Japan if they finish third shortage of quality players at the team’s in their pool. Romania, ranked 17th, will be disposal that a single victory should be aiming to erase memories of their winless seen as a success. Lynn Howells’s men are 2011 campaign with victory over Canada, set to rely again on a strong team ethic who they beat 18-9 in a test last November and hard work without high-profile names. when flyhalf Florin Vlaicu, their record Romania’s backs are not from the top points scorer with 554, landed six penalties. drawer, so fans will be looking to flanker For much of the 20th century, Romania Mihai Macovei, the team’s captain, as their were the sixth best team in Europe, ahead main hope. of Italy, and on the verge of joining the Five Former Wales caretaker coach Howells, Nations in the mid-1980s. In England, the who took charge of Romania in 2012, will Oaks hope pride and emotion fuelled by also rely on fullback Catalin Fercu’s experi- their desire to expand their game can over- ence as a professional. come rankings, form and logic when they The Saracens speedster, who has 78 test face the Azzurri in their final pool match in caps and made three appearances for The Exeter on Oct. 11. —Reuters LONDON: England’s Sam Burgess tries to off load in the tackle during an international rugby union match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium. —AP England get timely boost TWICKENHAM: England signed off for the World the left hand corner with Ford converting. threat of being overrun in the first half, Joe Cup with a 21-13 victory but Stuart Lancaster’s May turned sinner moments later handed the Schmidt’s men were suddenly right back in with men made heavy weather of beating Ireland Irish a penalty and Jonathan Sexton kicked a chance of upsetting the home side and the after threatening to blow them away earlier in Ireland’s first points which bounced on the cross- odds as England began to show some nerves. the warm-up contest yesterday. Tries from Jonny bar and over. But that provided temporary Both sides made wholesale changes as a May and Anthony Watson ensured the respite for the Irish as George Ford’s high punt to game which was lively, exciting and full of inci- Twickenham fans went away with smiles on their the right wing saw Watson leap like a salmon dent went through a quiet phase with neither faces, even more relishing the start of the World and out-jump Zebo. managing to create any real pressure on the Cup with England’s opening pool game with Fiji The talented wing plucked the ball out of the opponents line. on September 18. air and grounded it over the line as he fell back England threw on ex-rugby league man Sam Ireland were unable to bounce back from to earth. It was another stunning moment of Burgess in a bid to add some more strength and their recent loss to Wales, and will have plenty of athleticism and skill from the youngster tipped power to their back line but his first two pieces food for thought over the next couple of weeks to be a real World Cup sensation. Ireland lost of action resulted in a forward pass and knock before their opening World Cup contest. scrum-half Conor Murray to concussion after his on. England captain Chris Robshaw and his men head connected with England prop Joe Marler. Not the kind of impact Burgess was hoping to led 12-3 having taken the game by the scruff of May thought he had a second try in the 26th make as he attempts to snatch a starting spot the neck with a stirring first-half display. minute when running over the line unchal- against Fiji. England finally gained some May used sheer strength, power and determi- lenged. But, after a series of TV replays, it was renewed momentum and long series of phases nation to crash his way over for the opening try ruled out for a forward final pass from hooker saw them knocking on the Irish line. within three minutes of the start. Tom Youngs. Replacement scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth Like a man on a special mission to cement his Ford and Sexton exchanged penalties at the cut in and desperately tried to plant the ball on World Cup starting spot, he did his own Jonah start of the second half but then came an Irish the line but was tackled by Ireland replacement Lomu impression on rival wing Tommy Bowe resurgence with captain Paul O’Connell leading hooker Richardt Strauss. and then full-back Simon Zebo. Both Irish the way. However, referee Nigel Owens ruled the defenders left sprawled on the ground as A strong forwards drive from the visitors from England man had come up short but a penalty Gloucester ace May grabbed Ben Youngs’ pass a line-out to the veteran lock forcing his way from replacement No10 Owen Farrell sealed vic- out wide and charged through and over them in over for a try converted by Sexton. From the tory. —AFP Mihai Macovei Canada looking to Clermont defeat Oyonnax break win drought PARIS: Clermont maintained their through to touch down. binned for pulling an opponent’s hair. under the posts-Regis Lespinas con- perfect start to the Top 14 season yes- Lopez, who many believe should Clermont added another try in his verting for 34-24. Toulouse also CALGARY: A two-win target at breakdown and gave away too terday as they ran in five tries includ- have been in the France World Cup absence, Adrien Plante going over in looked to be cruising to victory over the World Cup looks like a mighty many penalties and turnovers.