Latest news with #MicheleLamaro
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘We'll have to be at our best against star-studded Benetton,' says Stormers' Roos
The Stormers know they will have a tough game against Benetton, which is full of international stars and is led by Italy captain Michele Lamaro. Italy and Benetton captain Michele Lamaro made a record number of tackles during last year's Six Nations. Picture:The Stormers have identified some international stars they need to be wary of in the Benetton team, including Italian captain Michele Lamaro. The 26-year-old loose forward, who also captains Benetton, has led the national team since 2021. Tall and strong, Lamaro has been known to be a nuisance at the breakdown, winning plenty of turnovers. He is also solid in defence, setting a tournament record of 103 tackles at the 2024 Six Nations. Stormers face tough task in Benetton The Stormers host the Italian club in the 16th round of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 6.15pm). The Stormers are eighth on the URC log but are just one point behind fifth-placed Benetton. A win against the Italian side will come in handy ahead of the Stormers' remaining fixtures against Dragons and Cardiff, which are also at home. But there is a reason Benetton are fifth on the log. They have eight wins and one draw from their 15 games, plus seven bonus points. Benetton have beaten tough sides such as Cardiff, Edinburgh, Ulster and La Rochelle in recent weeks. In their last game, they secured a 42–31 win over the Lions in Johannesburg. International stars bolster Benetton line-up Stormers and Springbok loose forward Evan Roos anticipated a tough match-up against Lamaro. 'There are a few internationals in their team,' he said. 'The Italian captain is also in their team. They're a quality team and they've got good players. 'Respect where it is due, they are a good team so we will have to be at our best.' Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani agreed that while the Stormers had a confidence boost after their 34–29 bonus-point win against Connacht in Cape Town last week, they cannot rest on their laurels now. 'They are a tough team to play against, very physical,' Hlungwani said. 'They defend really well. It's going to be a nice challenge.' Other internationals at Benetton include Rhyno Smith and Gideon Koegelenberg of South Africa, Siua Maile and Malakai Fekitoa of Tonga, Onisi Ratave of Fiji, Scott Scrafton and Toa Halafihi of New Zealand, Andy Uren of England, and Louis Lynagh of Australia. There are also a host of Argentinian stars, namely, Nahuel Chaparro, Thomas Gallo, Agustín Creevy, Lautaro Vélez, Tomás Albornoz, Ignacio Brex, and Ignacio Mendy. Joining them are a handful of players born overseas who adopted Italy as their country.
The Independent
15-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is Italy vs Ireland on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Six Nations clash
Ireland know a win is a must if they are to preserve they faint Six Nations title hopes as they take on Italy on Super Saturday. The grand slam dreams were dashed by a drubbing at the hands of France in the penultimate round to leave Les Bleus in control of their own destiny as they prepare to take on Scotland in the championship denouement. Ireland's hopes of an historic third straight title require a French slip-up in Paris and England failing to take a full five points against Wales. All Simon Easterby's side can do, though, is put the pressure on by beating an Italian team that have struggled defensively in their last two outings. Here's everything you need to know. When is Ireland vs Italy? Ireland vs Italy is due to kick off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 15 March at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 1.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX. Italy have dropped captain Michele Lamaro to the bench, with Manuel Zuliani given an opportunity on the openside and Juan Ignacio Brex named skipper. There are plenty of changes elsewhere, too, with Tommaso Allan, Martin Page-Relo, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Dino Lamb and Lorenzo Cannone all handed starts. Simon Easterby hands Jack Crowley his first start of the tournament with Sam Prendergast dropped to the bench. Mack Hansen and James Lowe are fit to return on the wings while Tadhg Furlong is back on the bench after his injury travails. Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make their final appearances for Ireland off the bench, but Cian Healy has played his final Test - Jack Boyle is preferred as the replacement loosehead. Line-ups Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Dino Lamb, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Ange Capuozzo; 15 Tommaso Allan. Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Michele Lamaro, 21 Ross Vintcent; 21 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin. Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Peter O'Mahony; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Bundee Aki. Odds Italy win Draw Ireland win The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is Italy vs Ireland on TV? Kick-off time, team news, channel and how to watch Six Nations clash
Ireland know a win is a must if they are to preserve they faint Six Nations title hopes as they take on Italy on Super Saturday. The grand slam dreams were dashed by a drubbing at the hands of France in the penultimate round to leave Les Bleus in control of their own destiny as they prepare to take on Scotland in the championship denouement. Ireland's hopes of an historic third straight title require a French slip-up in Paris and England failing to take a full five points against Wales. All Simon Easterby's side can do, though, is put the pressure on by beating an Italian team that have struggled defensively in their last two outings. Here's everything you need to know. When is Ireland vs Italy? Ireland vs Italy is due to kick off at 2.15pm GMT on Saturday 15 March at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 1.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via ITVX. Italy have dropped captain Michele Lamaro to the bench, with Manuel Zuliani given an opportunity on the openside and Juan Ignacio Brex named skipper. There are plenty of changes elsewhere, too, with Tommaso Allan, Martin Page-Relo, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Dino Lamb and Lorenzo Cannone all handed starts. Simon Easterby hands Jack Crowley his first start of the tournament with Sam Prendergast dropped to the bench. Mack Hansen and James Lowe are fit to return on the wings while Tadhg Furlong is back on the bench after his injury travails. Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make their final appearances for Ireland off the bench, but Cian Healy has played his final Test - Jack Boyle is preferred as the replacement loosehead. Line-ups Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Dino Lamb, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Ange Capuozzo; 15 Tommaso Allan. Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Giosue Zilocchi, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Michele Lamaro, 21 Ross Vintcent; 21 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin. Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 James Ryan, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen; 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Peter O'Mahony; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Bundee Aki. Odds Italy win Draw Ireland win The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Talking points as Scotland begin their Six Nations challenge against Italy
Scotland kick off their Guinness Six Nations campaign at home to Italy on Saturday. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five talking points ahead of the Murrayfield showdown. Scotland aim to remain fast starters In the first two decades of the 21st century, Scotland were notoriously slow starters in the Six Nations, winning just three of their opening-day fixtures in the first 21 stagings of the championship between 2000 and 2020. Since then, however, they have won each of their last four campaign openers: away to England in 2021, at home to England in 2022, away to England in 2023, and away to Wales in 2024. Italy at home affords the Scots a clear opportunity to extend this run to a fifth year in succession. Scots know Italy are no whipping boys With the likes of Michele Lamaro, Paolo Garbisi, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello to the fore, Italy arrive at Murrayfield with arguably the strongest squad they have ever had. No longer seen as championship cannon fodder, Gonzalo Quesada's side will be buoyed by memories of their stirring 31-29 win over Gregor Townsend's men last March, while they were desperately close to an upset on their last Six Nations visit to Murrayfield two years ago before the Scots broke away to seal victory at the death. Unlikely return for experienced forwards For much of last year, it would have been hard to imagine either Jonny Gray or Dave Cherry starting this Six Nations opener. Lock Gray, 30, was battling to get his career back on track after a year out with a serious knee injury, while his older brother Richie plus Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist seemed in command of the second-row berths. Cherry, 34, appeared to be persona non grata as he failed to make a single squad in 2024 following his exit from the 2023 World Cup camp in France with a concussion, which Scottish Rugby revealed was sustained 'slipping on hotel stairs, on a team day off'. The stars have aligned for both to return to the pack on Saturday after well over a year out of the Test arena. Graham set for first Six Nations outing since 2022 In a curious quirk, Darcy Graham – Scotland's second-highest try-scorer of all time – will play his first Six Nations match in almost three years this weekend. The Edinburgh wing was ruled out of both the 2023 and 2024 championships due to different injury issues. Remarkably, Graham has managed to accumulate 16 tries in the 15 international appearances he has made since his last Six Nations outing away to Ireland in March 2022. McDowall has big boots to fill Scotland's pre-championship optimism has been clouded somewhat by the loss of captain Sione Tuipulotu to long-term injury. An influential leader and regarded as one of the best centres in the world, his absence is a clear blow to the Scots. Glasgow colleague Stafford McDowall will start in the number 12 jersey instead and although he is not held in the same regard as Tuipulotu on the global stage, Townsend was keen to point out on Thursday that McDowall – who has won eight caps since his debut in 2023 – 'played very well' when Tuipulotu was absent for the narrow Scottish defeat away to Ireland last March.
