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Monday, 22 February 2010

Danielli in line for Italy clash

Simon Danielli scores a try for Scotland during the RBS 6 Nations Championship match between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield on February 28, 2009

Ulster wing Simon Danielli has been charged with replacing Scotland team-mate Thom Evans' in Saturday's RBS 6 Nations game against Italy.

Danielli has insisted he was no more worried about suffering the type of injury that has ended Evans' season than being hit by a bus.

Glasgow star Evans underwent double neck surgery after suffering a serious injury in the defeat to Wales nine days ago.

Fellow back-three stars Chris Paterson and Rory Lamont's tournaments were also ended after both were hurt in the same game but it is the potentially career-threatening nature of Evans' condition that has caused most concern.

"Both Thom's and Chris' injuries were pretty innocuous," Danielli said.

"They didn't really look like that much and they're obviously both very severe. But that's the nature of playing rugby.

"It's the same in every-day life. Old cliche, you could get run over by a bus.

"It's part and parcel of the game; you just hope it doesn't happen to too many people."

Danielli, who will earn his 23rd cap this weekend, understandably had mixed feelings about his recall.

"It's nice to be included but obviously that's come about on the back of some fairly severe injuries to what I consider good friends and team-mates," he said.

"It's mixed emotions in that sense but, come Saturday when the game starts, I'll be fully focused on trying to put a good performance and trying to beat Italy."

Danielli, 30, also admitted to going through a "rollercoaster of emotions" when sitting down to watch Scotland's dramatic defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

He is desperate to help them bounce back and register their first championship win at the Stadio Flamini on Saturday.

"It's our sole focus right now," he said.

"Obviously, we're disappointed we haven't won a game just yet. This is a huge, huge test for us.
"Italy on their home pitch are a tough, tough team to play."

Danielli has had mixed fortunes against Italy in recent times, being forced off with an ankle injury in Rome after just six minutes two years ago before scoring a scintillating try at Murrayfield the following season.

"That was a great day, to win and get a try," he said.

Indeed, tries have been the order of the day for Danielli of late.

He touched down for Ulster at the weekend to become the Magners League's joint top tryscorer this season.

"I would love to take that into the match and trade one of those tries for some this weekend," he said.