Wales Name team

Wales have recalled fit-again Dan Lydiate and Shane Williams among four changes for their World Cup quarter-final with Ireland.

Lydiate replaces Ryan Jones at blind-side while Williams returns on the left wing.

George North moves to the right, Leigh Halfpenny to full-back in place of Lee Byrne. James Hook is on the bench.

Alun Wyn Jones replaces Bradley Davies at lock while Jonathan Davies returns to partner Jamie Roberts at centre.

Scott Williams, who started in the final pool match against Fiji, is among the replacements alongside Bradley Davies and Ryan Jones, but Byrne drops out of the 22.

Rhys Priestland continues at fly-half but there is no place in Wales' 22 for record cap holder and fellow Scarlet Stephen Jones.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland had the luxury of having a fully fit squad to choose from for Saturday's game in Wellington.

Lydiate has not featured since Wales' victory over Samoa on 18 September when he was forced off during the opening 10 minutes after suffering ankle ligament damage.

As part of his initial bid to regain fitness, Lydiate woke at two-hourly intervals throughout the night to ice his ankle.

Hook suffered a shoulder injury and was substituted during the win over Samoa but the versatile back took part in full training all week.

Despite starting the tournament as first-choice full-back, Hook is among the replacements with Blues' Halfpenny starting at 15.

Record try-scorer Williams returns after being rested against the Fijians while centre Davies replaces Scarlets team-mate Scott Williams.

Wales keep faith with the front row of Gethin Jenkins, Huw Bennett and Adam Jones with Toby Faletau and captain Sam Warburton retaining their back-row spots.

Among the replacements Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams along with Hook and Scott Williams provide cover for the backs.

Paul James and Dragons hooker Lloyd Burns are retained to provide front row cover alongside lock Bradley Davies and flanker Ryan Jones

This was a tough selection for us, probably one of the longest selection meetings we have ever had where we went through every possible permutation available to us," said Gatland.

"It's a great position to be in when you are struggling to find a place for players in the squad and the starting line-up, instead of having to think who can make up the numbers, which has sometimes been the case.

"This is Rugby World Cup quarter-final time and we had some tough decisions to make with the likes of Dan, Shane and James returning from injury and the side having done so well in their recent absence.

"But this is the side we have gone with and, as a 22, we believe it is the side which gives us the best chance of winning this game against an Ireland team which, not only topped their group, but beat the Wallabies on the way."

Wales:

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Huw Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Danny Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Shane Williams
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Leigh Halfpenny

Replacements:

16. Lloyd Burns
17. Paul James
18. Bradley Davies
19. Ryan Jones
20. Lloyd Williams
21. James Hook
22. Scott Williams

Thats smack on the 15 I would have picked............ crikey me and Mr G agreeing!, and that's the 22 I would have picked with the exception of Hook out and Jones in.

Saying that its a close call and I can see why Gatland has selected Hook as he covers FB (no Byrne) and 10, whilst Scott Williams covers centre.

Very good 22 indeed. Should be a cracking game

personally i still would of liked to see stephen jones on the bench.

And here I am worrying about injuries in key positions again and the backline getting unsettled by players having to shift out of position. Probably nothing to worry about, I've been paranoid since day 1.

Not sure it could be more of a balanced 22 than this honestly.

CYMRU AM BYTH!!

Looks very attack-minded, more or less what I would have picked. Big talking point is no Byrne, so 1/2P at 15. The man from Bridgend has been on fire, so deserves the spot - but two little guys in the back 3 and a non-specialist 15 suggests a barrage of garryowens from ROG, but plenty of potential for the counter-attack. Also allows a bench spot for Scott Williams. If we're losing with 20 to go and our centres are being shackled by the irish, he'll be needed.

Should be a great game.

There's only room for 2 outside backs on the bench, so hard to put in SJ (or Byrne) as they only cover one position. This is going to be a hard, super-physical game. Wouldn't be surprised if the entire bench is on by the end.

samuraidragon wrote:Looks very attack-minded, more or less what I would have picked. Big talking point is no Byrne, so 1/2P at 15. The man from Bridgend has been on fire, so deserves the spot - but two little guys in the back 3 and a non-specialist 15 suggests a barrage of garryowens from ROG, but plenty of potential for the counter-attack. Also allows a bench spot for Scott Williams. If we're losing with 20 to go and our centres are being shackled by the irish, he'll be needed.

Should be a great game.

Makes you wonder if gatts is encouraging the irish to use the high ball but if he does I think the target will be Shane.

Its a great side with real depth on the bench. i think Jones would have known he was always going to miss out as he just doesn't justify the first pick and then cannot offer the versatility of supersub.

Yup - that's a risk Gatland is deliberately taking in order to create more in counter-attack. To be frank, North has looked a little uncertain under the high ball too. This is a very aggressive strategy and puts a lot on LH's shoulders. We know he's a wonderful runner and brave as anything. What'll be examined now are his positional sense at 15 and ability to catch the high ball.

There'll also be a severe test for Faletau. He's only 20 and not big by the standards of modern 8s, not compared to the brutes in green anyway. We don't have Powell on the bench, so no real backrow brute of our own.

Well AWJ better do that job. He is a perfectly competent 6 and I want to see him play like one. I also think having Geth will make a huge difference at the breakdown and in the loose to support the backrow.

I am as confident as i could be that we can do this. That backline is potentially lethal and i expect JD2 to have the game of his life after being benched v Fiji and in Hook and Wiliams x 2 we have real strike potential.

The only place i believe we are outclassed is in the backrow as a unit, but only marginally. ROG is a conservative pick and the gameplan is restricted by his game. I expect us to move the Irish pack around and play as high a tempo as possible. We can expect parity or better at scrum time and should win our own lineout.

A close Celtic cracker for sure

I wouold of thought that Gatland would of left Byrne at 15, put Halfpenny and North on the wings and put Shane on the bench, if at all.

Ireland will try to deny us the ball, as they did with Oz. ROG will vary between garryowens and kicking to the corners for them to attack our line-out and maul over. We will try to counter-attack from deep, get Roberts and North steaming through the midfield, use fast hands and offloading.

Going to be a helluva game.

The contact area will be very interesting. irish very effective at holding the player up and forcing the scrum. We were offloading more in the Samoa game and it obviously increases the tempo which will suit us

Wales will need to go out from the outset like they're trying to blast Ireland off the pitch. We need a high intensity game with quick ball. Can't wait for this

I really like the look of this XV and the bench is pretty spot-on too. I can see why we've gone for Halfpenny at full back, even though it's a bit of a gamble - but this is knockout rugby, we have to go for it. It's really game on now, isn't it?

Those who say O'Gara is a conservative selection should hope their words don't come back to haunt them; how many games has he won for Munster and Ireland in his career? They should also bear in mind that Ireland have Sexton on the bench ready to come on, who's a match-winner in his own right.

This is going to be a humdinger.

Interesting team. Surprised Jones isn't on the bench. With Rory seemingly fit,the lineout is the big area for Ireland and if we can get clean ball from the scrum we can hopefully gain ground through some storming runs and putting it through the hands. It will be a great game hopefully worthy of getting up at 6 for!

The perfect first 15.

It seems almost surreal that we are able to pick all our first choices without any injuries.

Particularly at this stage of the RWC.

Can’t wait for Saturday

Absolutely spot on - What a great looking side. Balance, pace and power all over the park. Gatland has learned. Still a 50/50 game of course

And the 6 Nations XV will be :

1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Huw Bennett
3. Adam Jones
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Danny Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton (c)
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Halfpenny
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. George North
15. Stoddard

Rubyguby, I would agree with most of your 6 nations XV except for north, not so sure about him.

Gethin Jenkins to me should move to Wing, he is faster, steps better, might have to bulk up a bit though.

I would of gone for Bryne at Full back myself just to be sure, but clearly if the pack come off second best up front then we will lose the game anyway so why not take a gamble and go for it.

If Wales get on top the pace and power of this back line could (in theory) rip Ireland to pieces, we are certainly faster around the park, the question is can we match their power, and can we be as dogged in the pack.

We've gone for our 2 best and most experienced scrumaging props, with our 2 best line out locks, though maybe Bradley would of been better to get stuck into O'Connell.

My gut instinct still tells me Ireland will beat Wales but either way I will support the winner for the rest of the World Cup.

Hear hear

Gethin to make ROG to look like a cack handed pratt again !

I know what your saying Bilt but I think Gethin is being pencilled in at Out half due to his kicking ability

RubyGuby wrote:I know what your saying Bilt but I think Gethin is being pencilled in at Out half due to his kicking ability

Yeah, that makes sense, considering the lack of size.

A lot has been made about how much more experienced Ireland are but or forwards are no mugs either. We have two thirds of a Lions front row and our second rows may not be POC and DOC but they've got a few caps between them. Our back row also may be young but you'd never know it the way they play. I would probably have liked to see Powell (really?) on the bench but can't have everything.

With Phillips, Shane and Roberts in the backs we have a good deal of experience in there and Halfpenny has been around for a while now too.

So the only inexperienced players we have really are

Faletau, Priestland, Davies and North. Each one has enough talent to make up for a lack of experience.

I can't wait for this match. Even though I am kind of leaning towards Ireland to win...

Its clear that Ireland opting for O'Gara is a clear indication that their happy to get into a dogfight with Wales using O'Gara to get their forwards in the right places and to try to grind out a munster style victory where as Wales have opted for a more attacking full-back which is a gamble as Halfpenny has'nt played there often for club or country

however if O'Gara kicks straight down Halfpennys throat and theres enough space for him to step on the gas it could prove costly especially with the likes of North and Shane around him too who are all try-scoring threats


i cant wait for this one!

I think Ireland have learnt from previous world cups that a more pragmatic approach is what usually wins. In previous world cups we have seen NZ and France running in tries in the early stages, only to be knocked out by a team playing a strong defensive game with a good kicker. I'm hoping that Wales have managed to realise a good combination of these two. I also hope that our forwards can put enough pressure on ROG so that he loses it like he did in 05. that was funny!

As if i havent been excited enough for this game, that back 3 looks deadly if theres any loose kicking. well done gatland

I like the look of the bench, not sure if i'd have preferred to see RJ or Powell on the bench mind

Overall, im excited.

mckay1402 wrote:I think Ireland have learnt from previous world cups that a more pragmatic approach is what usually wins. In previous world cups we have seen NZ and France running in tries in the early stages, only to be knocked out by a team playing a strong defensive game with a good kicker. I'm hoping that Wales have managed to realise a good combination of these two. I also hope that our forwards can put enough pressure on ROG so that he loses it like he did in 05. that was funny!

It was even more funny as ROG had been calling Gethin a fat see you next tuesday all game. When Gethin charged down his kick , kicked ahead and scored he threw the ball back to ROG and said whose the fat see you next Tuesday now ?

Pot Noodle Miner wrote:Its clear that Ireland opting for O'Gara is a clear indication that their happy to get into a dogfight with Wales using O'Gara to get their forwards in the right places and to try to grind out a munster style victory

I hope the coaching team haven't made the same (incorrect) assumption. O'Gara's perfectly capable of getting a back line moving.

I am overall happy with the 22, we have a very good bench with experience of R Jones and J Hook both covering a number of positions you could argue as good or better than the starters, good position to be in. I could not see how Gatland could pick S Jones in the 22 hence I am pleased he made the correct decision, as some said in an earlier post he is learning.

Should be a battle and a half, looking forward to a victory!

munkian wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:I think Ireland have learnt from previous world cups that a more pragmatic approach is what usually wins. In previous world cups we have seen NZ and France running in tries in the early stages, only to be knocked out by a team playing a strong defensive game with a good kicker. I'm hoping that Wales have managed to realise a good combination of these two. I also hope that our forwards can put enough pressure on ROG so that he loses it like he did in 05. that was funny!

It was even more funny as ROG had been calling Gethin a fat see you next tuesday all game. When Gethin charged down his kick , kicked ahead and scored he threw the ball back to ROG and said whose the fat see you next Tuesday now ?

Ha ha I wasn't aware of that. I always wondered who he was throwing the ball at.

i would have left byrne at fb, 1/2p on wing, shane on the bench, steven jones on the bench .hooks versatile but not for this game, we need structured,focussed play. we may just do it

Gatland shows some cojones in leaving Wellies out, as he did in leaving Martyn behind. On performance, it should have happened 18 months or more ago.

Samuraidragon:

Totally agree, with luck we will progress developing Tovey and Biaggar (I don't rate him currently) for the next RWC. I believe Tovey should be there in place of Jones for the experience. Jones has been injured for the first couple of weeks, if he was first choice I would not say so much but after the warm ups he was clearly third choice.

On the main subject there is a lot of talk about the Irish back row but Wales have R Jones on the bench having over 50 caps can be brought on to replace 6 or 8 if needed, I think this option may balance the back row debate.

Wales also have very good options on the bench covering the backs.

Should be an interesting game with both teams with game breakers, I feel Wales have more options.

Biggar and Tovey are far off international rugby IMO

Thats because Tovey has never been tested at Test level

Experience is also a very useful tool for the opposition it makes it far easier to predict what certain players will do.
These young Welsh lads are not set in their ways.

No real suprises in the 15, James could have nudged it for his scrumaging, Byrne and Jones at 15 & 10 for their superior experience at this level. But overall no arguments from me.

I was suprised at the 1/2 backs on the bench. Lloyd Williams is a talented young man but lacks both experience and physicality and on Saturday it will be a very physical game, so I would have gone with Knoyle, lets hope Phillips does not get injured. Also Hook has had a poor World cup, he gave away a soft try against SA and has been out of sorts with his goal kicking. Jones on the other hand has the experience to close out a game and is the best goal kicker by far (he has kicked every one of his last 10 kicks, with an overall success rate to date of 92%).

Hook has got the bench spot for his versitility, 3rd choice at 10, 4th choice at centre and 3rd choice at 15. But, if like against SA Wales are 6 points up with 20 mins to go, I know I would prefer to see Jones coming on to close out the game rather than Hook!

Seagultaf wrote:No real suprises in the 15, James could have nudged it for his scrumaging, Byrne and Jones at 15 & 10 for their superior experience at this level. But overall no arguments from me.

I was suprised at the 1/2 backs on the bench. Lloyd Williams is a talented young man but lacks both experience and physicality and on Saturday it will be a very physical game, so I would have gone with Knoyle, lets hope Phillips does not get injured. Also Hook has had a poor World cup, he gave away a soft try against SA and has been out of sorts with his goal kicking. Jones on the other hand has the experience to close out a game and is the best goal kicker by far (he has kicked every one of his last 10 kicks, with an overall success rate to date of 92%).

Hook has got the bench spot for his versitility, 3rd choice at 10, 4th choice at centre and 3rd choice at 15. But, if like against SA Wales are 6 points up with 20 mins to go, I know I would prefer to see Jones coming on to close out the game rather than Hook!

or throw an interception pass

majesticimperialman wrote:I wouold of thought that Gatland would of left Byrne at 15, put Halfpenny and North on the wings and put Shane on the bench, if at all.

Agreed.This is what I would have done.If we are cruising it bring on Shane to ice the cake;if we are trailing bring Shane on for some magic.

Seagultaf wrote:No real suprises in the 15, James could have nudged it for his scrumaging, Byrne and Jones at 15 & 10 for their superior experience at this level. But overall no arguments from me.

I was suprised at the 1/2 backs on the bench. Lloyd Williams is a talented young man but lacks both experience and physicality and on Saturday it will be a very physical game, so I would have gone with Knoyle, lets hope Phillips does not get injured. Also Hook has had a poor World cup, he gave away a soft try against SA and has been out of sorts with his goal kicking. Jones on the other hand has the experience to close out a game and is the best goal kicker by far (he has kicked every one of his last 10 kicks, with an overall success rate to date of 92%).

Hook has got the bench spot for his versitility, 3rd choice at 10, 4th choice at centre and 3rd choice at 15. But, if like against SA Wales are 6 points up with 20 mins to go, I know I would prefer to see Jones coming on to close out the game rather than Hook!

Spot on mate
I was not going to reply to the dynamic duo samuraidragon and glamAL................ even now with their "hero" on the bench the groupies are still running down Stephen Jones with their wonderfull without basis one liners .

As Gatland said he needed four forwards, and a scrum half and a creative aware centre on the bench and with FB (Halfpenny) and FH (Priestland) both inexperienced in their roles but playing well, he needed someone to cover both their inexperience that only left the versatile Hook............... he had no choice but to pick him and drop Jones. As you stated he is quite clearly 3rd choice at 10, 4th choice at centre, and 3rd choice at FB, but fortunately he is able to perform play in all three positions.

So good call Mr Gatland

Quite interesting he brought up the topic of defence quite a bit, it will be fascinating to see when or if he brings on the revolving door