Italy’s Tommaso Allan relishing battle against Johnny Sexton

Two years ago this month Tommaso Allan made his debut for Perpignan in a French Top 14 match. Wearing the other number 10 jersey that day was Ireland's Johnny Sexton in the colours of Racing Metro 92.

Allan kicked 11 points, earning high praise from his coach, despite a 19-16 defeat. On Sunday at London’s Olympic Stadium the two outhalves are likely to be in opposition again, jostling for position and possession of their destiny going into the final round of matches.

The 22-year-old Italian international with 19 Tests, 11 in the run-on team, recalls the club match. “It was quite a boring game, mostly kicks. It is always great to play against him and hopefully I can do that again this weekend.

“I rate him as one of the best 10s in the world. He’s a really good player. His decision-making is up to scratch the whole time; his kicking game is excellent as well. I have tried to learn a lot from him by looking at him play. It will be quite cool to play against him.”

Italian coach Jacques Brunel has made Allan his first-choice outhalf, starting him in the last six internationals. Prior to that, the Perpignan player disputed the jersey with Kelly Haimona and Luciano Orquera.

It’s a vote of confidence the player appreciates. “I have always said that for me game-time is the most important aspect, especially for a number 10. The more you play, the more you feel comfortable and the better your decisions during the game.”

For a player with a nomadic past, stability is something Allan appreciates. Born in Vicenza, he lived there until he was eight, moved to England, where he was in the Wasps academy and played for London Scottish: he represented Scotland at age-grade level, and then at 17 travelled to South Africa, where he won an under-19 Currie Cup medal with Western Province.

Former hooker

His was initially heading for Durban, where his uncle, John Allan – the former hooker won 13 caps for Scotland and nine for the Springboks in the 1990s – was based, but when the opportunity to join Western Province arose, he took it and stayed there for two years.

It is not the end of his famous rugby lineage. His mother, Paola Berlato, was an Italian international scrumhalf, who played for Petrarca rugby. She met Tommaso's father while he was in Italy playing the sport. So did he see his mum playing rugby? "No, as soon as I was born she stopped," he laughed.

“It’s my fault. She used to offer advice. Now whenever I kick, she doesn’t even watch. I think she is more stressed than I am. Typical mother, I suppose.”

Allan is aware of the accusations of substandard Italian back play that colours any discussion about the national side; great forwards, but limited halves and three quarters. The manner in which Italy struggled to beat Canada merely solidified the criticism.

More positive

It’s not something he can dwell upon. “We lost too many balls against Canada. We have been working on that so it is a bit more positive. That is the main aspect [we need to improve].

“We are taking more responsibility in the backline. We have been playing a bit more with our backs and scoring a few tries in this competition. We have shown that we can do that if we hold onto the ball.

"We are very close, it's just that split-second difference. If we think about it a bit more this week then it will be better for the game against Ireland. It's all about support, being closer to the ball-carrier when you are going into contact.

“A lot of the youngsters have been together for two years and we are starting to gel. We understand each other’s play.”

Allan knows what to expect on Sunday. He’s been impressed with Ireland’s performances in their two matches, particularly in the light their entire squad having had a run-out. “They have a really good backline, very explosive, and their forwards are big and strong.

“They have always been a great team, very well structured. It will be a big challenge but it is one we can front up to.”

You wouldn’t expect him to say any different but what is apparent from speaking to a number of players is that they all mentioned not feeling under pressure and how they have been encouraged to put everything on the line come Sunday: backs and forwards.