Sam Warburton Apologises for controversial Six Nations comments
Rugby NewsTuesday, 28 February 2023 at 10:51
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has apologised for comments he two years' ago, calling for Italy's removal from the Six Nations Championships.
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The BBC pundit made the statement following Italy's 50-10 crushing defeat to France in the 2021 competition.
Italy line up for the anthem during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
"I think enough is enough now, Italy just don't have the strength in depth from a player pool point of view. They're just not good enough to compete at this level right now." Warburton said on the BBC Sport broadcast.
Speaking after England's victory over Wales, Sam Warburton gave his apology to the Azzurri, about how they have now proven his doubts wrong.
"Right, I need to apologise to Italians now. Because I remember, I was quite heavily criticising the Italians."
Tommaso Allan of Italy looks dejected after losing during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
"I didn't think they were any good, and even going into this campaign I thought, I still don't think they're good. They've definitly proved me wrong."
"I thought the Autumns (Internationals) they played a weakened Australia, I'm not sure. This Six Nations they have actually confirmed, that they have actually moved on considerably.
Wales travel to Rome, to take on the Italians on March 11th. This is sizing up to be the battle to avoid the wooden spoon, with both sides yet to record a win in the competition so far. Last year, Italy ended their seven year wait for a Six Nations victory against Wales, with Ange Capuozzo's incredible run setting up Edoardo Padovani's match winning try.
The Italian win was a shock at the time, as the unexpected underdogs fianlly ended their losing streak. However, after strong performances saw Italy take France to their very limit and bring the best out of Ireland, Wales are the underdogs heading into Rome.
Try Celebrations for Marco Riccioni of Italy during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Warburton recognises the significance of the match, and how Italy will be prepared for Warren Gatland's men to arrive at the Stadio Olympico.
"Wales away to Italy now is a massive game. Italy will be smelling blood, big time. And I think that's going to be enormous for the Italians, one of the target sides at home."
"Wales still don't know why they haven't got their best 15 right now. Who's our best centre partnership, who's our best back row, best front five, I still don't really know to be honest. So, massive game."
Six players who flopped in round three of the Six Nations
We take a look at four players who failed to perform in today’s 2023 Six Nations round three action.
#1. Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)
Planet Rugby 2/10: "Sent off for a high and dangerous tackle on Anthony Jelonch from a kick-off. He could have easily done better, poor technique and poor execution.."
The Offside Line 3/10: "Unlucky to pick up a [wholly legitimat] red card in seventh minute, careless rather than reckless."
Rugby Pass 1/10: "Close to tears as he was sent off on seven minutes for a high shot on Jelonch."
#2. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Balls 5/10: "The Italians took advantage of a defensive weakness in the 13 channel (5 missed tackles)."
Rugby pass 6/10: "As pointed out by Jerry Flannery in RTE’s analysis, the Italians successfully targeted and exploited the 13 channel between the Connachtman and Lowe on the left wing. Fumbled a try that may well have settled the contest with 20 or so minutes to go. A truly mixed bag of a performance."
Planet Rugby 6/10: "Great with the ball, not so without."
Bundee Aki of Ireland watching the on going scrum during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK
#3. Owen Farrell (England)
Telegraph 5/10: "Farrell is a phenomenal talent but the skipper did not enjoy his best of days.
Guardian 5/10: "Charged down by Faletau early on but shrugged that off well. Goal-kicking was poor, not for the first time this championship."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Poor, poor, poor. It’s hard to justify his place in the team at the moment. Kicking off the tee was once again abysmal and his decision-making and execution was completely off. "
Evening Standard. 6/10: "Curiously off-kilter off the tee but dragged England home through sheer bloody-mindedness."
#4. Adam Beard (Wales)
Guardian 4/10: "Went the distance but not his most influential performance. Not solely his fault but Wales needed more gainline presence."
Guardian 4/10: "Went the distance but not his most influential performance. Not solely his fault but Wales needed more gainline presence."
#5. Mohamed Haouas (France)
Planet Rugby 2/10: "Arguably playing for his France future in this game and didn’t do himself any favours. The ‘headbutt’ on Ben White was utterly brainless."
Rugby Pass 3/10: "A brainless head-on-head contact with Ben White saw the hot-tempered Haouas sent off for an early shower. The end of his Guinness Six Nations and another black mark in an already jaded disciplinary record."
#6. Christ Tshiunza (Wales)
Telegraph 5/10: "For a man of such stature, he struggled to impose himself physically, and an early knock-on - with a hint of an overlap for Wales - summed up his afternoon."
Wales Online 5/10: "Good at Murrayfield and caught the eye with his tackling here, with one hit on Malins heading off potential trouble for Wales. But Wales were second best at the breakdown, with Tshiunza’s opposite number Lewis Ludlam impressive in all areas."
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