By Chris Chaplin
January 8 2003

At the Webmistress' command your previewer has settled down with a glass of Barolo and transported himself to the sunnier climes of la bella Italia to contemplate the outcome of this weekend's Heineken Cup pool game with Calvisano. Since the merger of Calvisano with Amatori Milan formed Ghial Amatori and Calvisano back in 1988 the club has been the bastion of Milanese rugby.

Runners up in the Italian Super 10 last season and with nine wins out of ten starts this season Calvisano welcome Tigers on the back of a winning run of three games, the last of which was a 24-20 victory over Palma last weekend.

With 329 points scored and only 173 conceded thus far in this season's domestic competition they are clearly a force to be reckoned with as Neath found out in the last round of pool games and are capable of handing out the odd surprise as was the case when they beat the Welsh All Blacks 38-29.

It is true to say that this was their first win in the HEC and that after Neath made 12 changes to the side that was humiliated that December day at the Centro Sportivo ground where Calvisano ply their trade, they slaughtered them in the return.

It is worth Tigers pondering the fate of Neath on their Italian excursion when in spite of a crowd of barely 2500 the Italians produced a performance that the Welshmen clearly did not expect.

On that day their young half back Vincenzo Zullo scored some 18 points of the 38 that Neath conceded, kicking the points from all parts in a true "Golden Boot" display and with the unknown quantity that is represented by Scots referee Gregg Davies, who is in charge of this weekend's encounter, Tigers will need to watch their Ps and Qs lest young master Zullo decides to give a repeat performance.

Another danger man in the Calvisano side is one Massino Ravazzolo who has a fair old turn of speed coming into the line from full back and breached the Neath defence to good effect in scoring a brace of tries.

There's a bit of grit about Calvisano when on their home turf and we should not expect them to roll over if we have an advantage at the half way mark. This was another mistake that Neath made when turning round at 22-5. In fact with ex Canterbury Deane McKinnel having input on the coaching side and New Zealand Maori Flanker Chris Mayerhofler you'd expect nothing less, particularly when aided and abetted by South African Wayne Boardman who brings his experience from Natal Sharks and Stormers to the fray.

Club Captain Giampiero De Carli, who while capped at Hooker is equally at home propping, was another who upset the lads from The Knoll by scoring a real Forward's try against them. It could be that ex Worcester player Moretti will hook against us again with DeCarli and Agentinian Bocca in support.

Wayne Boardman and Aussie Under 21 Justin Purll present useful Southern Hemisphere options at lock.

Ten times capped Andrea DeRossi is a probable for the back row joining South African Chean Roux at 8, who also gained his experience with Stormers.

Scrum Half Trecate also scampered in for an interception try on that momentous day against Neath, however he has competition for the #9 shirt with another newly joined Kiwi, ex Canterbury player Paul Griffen waiting on the sidelines together with Argentinian Javer Dragotto, who got the nod from coach Gilbert Doucet when the Italians visited Welford Road in the Autumn.

At #10, the star of the victory over Neath, young Zullo, will probably play in preference to Kiwi Gerard Fraser and it is to be hoped that he doesn’t get a chance with his boot this time.

In the Centre the Italians have three times capped Fijian "Toots" Vodo available although Italian international Raineri may be preferred to partner another Italian international, Cristian Zanoletti.

On the wings Argentinian Sevens player Muliero has pace and I believe has EEC qualification so he may be an option this time with Scanziani on the opposite wing.

Doubtless the talented Ravazzolo will start at 15.

Looking at the side one is bound to reach the conclusion that the backline is very dangerous however the pack has struggled against the other members of the pool often losing their discipline in their frustration and this will I think also be their Achilles Heel this time.

In spite of some spankings over the last two seasons I think Calvisano are improving and need to be treated with respect - particularly at home and as Neath found out to their cost.

In some ways it's difficult to quite know what to say about Tigers.

I have to confess that I'm confused, very confused.

The pack have played manfully and with, in my view, no little success this season and it must be heartbreaking for them to see all the possession that they secure being frittered away by what can only be described as inept play by the backs.

Josh in particular, having been given a run of starts, has shown why he is indeed a legend - how he reminds me of Deano in his pomp, ambling around with his shorts and socks awry and having that knack of appearing in three places at once - wonderful - and worth the wait.

Invidious as it is to single out players for outstanding contributions in an area such as the pack, in Josh's case there must be an exception made - let's just hope our management team, not known for their surefootedness in such situations, can prevail upon him to stay with us for next season - by God we'll need him!

Thus far in nineteen first team games the management have played seventeen, yes seventeen, different combinations of players in the backs and it is therefore hardly surprising that there is a lack of cohesion in their play.

Some lessons have apparently been learned with Lloyd at last returning to the wing where he is at his aggressive, strong running best, thank goodness he seems to have got all that "anger management" malarkey out of his system and now looks to be developing a good relationship with the ever constant Ollie Smith who is a smashing young player and has performed to a consistently high standard throughout the trials and tribulations of this unhappy season.

With Oz apparently still injured (for an HEC match? Must be serious!) Sam will probably be at 10, unless McMullen is to at last get an airing, but whatever let's give the incumbent a chance by playing Tierney inside him, at least for the first 60 minutes and then if circumstances permit (ie we're winning comfortably), give Harry a run and start rebuilding his confidence.

In such matches we often see GlenN Gelderbloom at 12, so let's hope for such an event this time, like Ollie he'll not blow hot and cold and he'll not let us down.

Ollie has played in thirteen of the nineteen matches this season although he was omitted from the first leg against Calvisano when Leon got the 13 shirt with Oz and Boothy on the wings. Let's hope we are not tempted to repeat the exercise at outside centre this time and that consistency is given priority so that Leon and Ollie can continue to develop their partnership.

I hope that Geordan gets a run out, but not at Fullback, as with the Italians likely to leak penalties Stimmo could see us home and hosed with his boot.

Now that's what I'd like to see and with our pack at something approaching full strength I don't believe that Calvisano will get enough possession to beat us. However these days I must confess to not only confusion over the selection and tactics but something approaching trepidation.

With seven points we are assured of a quarter final spot however with our away form and history telling us that even the best teams do not prevail away from home, a quarter final at Welford Road is absolutely essential. Neath were all but done for by their loss in Italy and Calvisano are playing only for pride.

However when Neath come to Welford Road in a week or so they'll be on a roll from their recent victories on the domestic scene and were they to beat Beziers they'd arrive at Welford Road on five points with a loss by us in Italy seeing us still on seven. Just imagine what that game would be like!

Nightmare scenario: Beziers beat Calvisano and are on six points, Neath are on five coming to us for their final pool game and if they beat us the pool would be decided on tries. I don't think my old heart would be able to stand it!!!

So only a win will do in Italy together with a boatload of tries if we are to be sure of a home tie in the next round..

Will it happen? Well I think we'll win but I'll go no further than that!

Any team news Mr Richards? No? No change there then!