Ireland vs Wales - WELSH TEAM ANNOUNCED AT 11:50 THIS MORNING...!

by maestegmafia Thu 05 Jan 2012, 5:11 pm

First topic message reminder :

Ireland Six Nations 2012 Squad

15 -Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) Captain
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 -Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

WALES SQUAD

BACKS

Scrumhalf
Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE)
Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys WEBB (OSPREYS)

Flyhalf
Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS)
James HOOK (PERPIGNAN)

Centre 3/4s
Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS)
Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS)
Gavin HENSON (CARDIFF BLUES)
Ashley BECK (OSPREYS – Uncapped)

Wing 3/4s
George NORTH (SCARLETS)
Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES)
Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES)
Harry ROBINSON (CARDIFF BLUES)

Fullbacks
Liam WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Uncapped)
Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE)

FORWARDS

Tightheads
Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS)
Adam JONES (OSPREYS)

Looseheads
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES)
Rhys GILL (SARACENS)

Adaptable to both sides of the Scrum
Paul JAMES (OSPREYS)
Rhodri JONES (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Hookers
Matthew REES (SCARLETS)
Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS)
Ken OWENS (SCARLETS)

Locks
Bradley DAVIES (BLUES)
Ian EVANS (OSPREYS)
Lou REED (SCARLETS – Uncapped)

Back Five Option
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS)

Blindside Flank Forward
Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS)

Openside Flank Forward
Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN)
Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS)

Number 8s
Toby FALETAU (Dragons)
Andy POWELL (Sale)

Its a month away, just 31 days to the opening game for Wales and Ireland. The excitement of the start of the tournament is as thrilling as it has ever been. I think we are hoping that both sides will show some of the new talent on display in the HEC given their chances at International level. A mix of experience blended in well to temper the exuberance of youth when it is needed.

How do the teams match up historically?

First ever Ireland vs Wales was at Lansdowne Road, Dublin on the 28th of January 1882.

Ireland nil – 2G, 4T Wales
Try: Evans
Bridie
Clapp
Baker Jones

Con: Lewis (2)

The winning result for Wales was their first ever victory in International Rugby. Since then the two Nations have played for the following results.

117 Played 117
47 Wins 64
64 Losses 47
6 Draws 6
164 Tries 201
85 Conversions 98
131 Penalties 126
21 Drop Goals 33
1227 Points 1353
39.66% Success Rate 54.31%

Last meeting was in the Quarter Finals of the RWC 2011. Wales were victorious in a classic encounter. Both nations fielded exceptionally good teams that had done well in their previous pool matches.

The game previous was in the 2011 Six Nations with another win for Wales, controversial due to the try that should not have been allowed scored by Mike Phillips.

by munkian Sun 22 Jan 2012, 12:16 am

When did Ryan get injured ?

by mankiaow Sun 22 Jan 2012, 6:44 am

SafeAsMilk wrote:
munkian wrote:Anyway , my Leinster girlfriend and Ulster flat mate have similar opinions to me.
They probably just say that to shut you up

'I'm Brian and so's my wife.'

by maestegmafia Sun 22 Jan 2012, 9:14 am

munkian wrote:When did Ryan get injured ?

He has been injured for two weeks, hence the bench spots for the Ospreys.

by bedfordwelsh Sun 22 Jan 2012, 9:20 am

I wonder if Shingler will get added to the training camp?

Lydiate took knock yesterday and Ryan been carrying one for few weeks

by maestegmafia Sun 22 Jan 2012, 9:45 am

On yesterdays performance I would be encouraged to think so.

I believe that in previous games, like the one against Saints last week that he spent far too long causing trouble, not enough time playing the game and was thought of as someone who might concede a lot of penalties.

Yesterday he played a different game and just let his rugby abilities do the talking. To be fair it was more likely his cricketing instincts...!!! some of the catches and ball handling were fantastically quick reactions.

This is the thing really. Obviously we all want to see the most competitive selection to play Ireland, but if Injuries occur there is little that we can do about it.

But it will be a good time to blood new players and build for the future.

Thought Gilbert looked very good at number eight too, took his try well and spent all afternoon bullocking around the park.

by wales606 Sun 22 Jan 2012, 11:09 am

After Shinglers try yesterday he can come in to cover 4,5,6 and 11,14,15

by maestegmafia Mon 23 Jan 2012, 10:48 am

He could cover those positions before he scored that try too.

He is a good player but in most games he plays right on the fringe of the referees patience and that can be a liability.

by munkian Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:02 am

Any news on Healy ?

by maestegmafia Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:13 am

Apparently Priestland is already in Poland. Good news hopefully on his injury.

No further news on Hook, Ryan Jones, Mat Rees, Gethins Jenkins or Jamie Roberts.

No news on Healy yet either.

by munkian Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:28 am

Its the waiting game thats the hardest part. Grrr.

by **Pal Joey** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:32 am

munkian wrote:Its the waiting game thats the hardest part. Grrr.

You can say that again. It's agony for me even... and I'm a neutral!

by **rodders** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:40 am

Not bothered myself...can we just skip the 6N this year and go straight to the HEC QF's???.... Whistle

by SecretFly Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:45 am

Well now aren't the other boys in the HC QF net just hoping Ireland inc go for broke, attack every game with pace and aggression and come away with a glorious GS and a raft of strategic injuries to Ulster, Munster and Leinster Wink

Shame on you lot for wishing that on us!

by munkian Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:49 am

Go Blues and Ulster thumbsup

by **Pal Joey** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:52 am

It's a bloody long wait isn't it Rodders?

Go Blues thumbsup

But I think Leinster will win it. Ulster would be great though.

by **rodders** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:54 am

Too long linebreaker but if there's an Irish GS sandwiched in between then I suppose I could live with that.... Yahoo

SUFTUM...cough..cough.....er..I mean SUFTIM! Leprechaun

by Glas a du Mon 23 Jan 2012, 11:58 am

roddersm wrote:Too long linebreaker but if there's an Irish GS sandwiched in between then I suppose I could live with that....

SUFTUM...cough..cough.....er..I mean SUFTB&IM!

Fixed that for you.

by **rodders** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 12:04 pm

A bold move glas...very bold indeed sir.... warning

by **Pal Joey** Mon 23 Jan 2012, 12:06 pm

I had a dream that a team with blue pants would win it - the HEC that is.

I'll have to sleep on the 6N though...

by Glas a du Mon 23 Jan 2012, 12:10 pm

Munster wear blue pants under their shorts. They think it will make them play more like Leinster Run

by SecretFly Mon 23 Jan 2012, 12:26 pm

And the Leinster fellas wear spray painted red bums (too tough for underwear!) to give them just enough Munster grit.

by Glas a du Mon 23 Jan 2012, 12:36 pm

Don't tell me, their pre match meal is turnip soup!

by maestegmafia Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:25 pm

So aaron Shinglers been added to the squad.

He put in a superb performance on the weekend for the scarlets.

by Glas a du Tue 24 Jan 2012, 11:43 pm

You get the feeling Zeus has just moved a clay model of him on a celestial chess board.

by maestegmafia Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:07 am

Ha ha ha...!

Lets hope the gods of Rugby smile on his good fortune. Had a good game again for Scarlets and worked hard, didnt push the referee as hard as usual which showed a lot of maturity.

by Feckless Rogue Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:20 am

I think the gods of rugby live in New Zealand. Do they get the 6 Nations over there?

by maestegmafia Wed 25 Jan 2012, 1:23 am

Yes they do get it but whether they watch it is a different matter, though Wales mission to the RWC this year did good effort to earn us a few fans and the Kiwis love the Irish too since you beat the Wallabies so maybe they'll at least watch the important opening match..

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 25 Jan 2012, 8:17 am

It wouldn't surprise me if Ireland turn us over on the 5th, but I think we'll win. But then I always think we'll win, even if simultaneously I think we'll lose.

by **Pal Joey** Wed 25 Jan 2012, 8:35 am

I know it's on in Oz (it used to be on free to air) and I think it's also on in NZ on ESPN.

by munkian Wed 25 Jan 2012, 2:50 pm

Ireland vs Wales - WELSH TEAM ANNOUNCED AT 11:50 THIS MORNING...! - Page 7 CDF_250112_RBS_Six_Nations_Launch_11

Eeeeep - which captain will it be ? Wales

by Feckless Rogue Wed 25 Jan 2012, 3:06 pm

They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

by wales606 Wed 25 Jan 2012, 3:10 pm

Feckless Rogue wrote:They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

by munkian Wed 25 Jan 2012, 3:14 pm

Feckless Rogue wrote:They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

by Feckless Rogue Wed 25 Jan 2012, 3:35 pm

BBC website says Gethin Jenkins is out injured and Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate are doubtful. Any word on Ireland's Cian Healy? His injury looked bad but I haven't heard anything. There also seems to be silence over Fitzgerald's neck injury. I think Sexton will be fit in time.

by wales606 Wed 25 Jan 2012, 3:46 pm

Feckless Rogue wrote:They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

And if its in the middle of a pitch full of All Blacks, Dusatoir would be all over it.

by munkian Wed 25 Jan 2012, 4:48 pm

wales606 wrote:
Feckless Rogue wrote:They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

And if its in the middle of a pitch full of All Blacks, Dusatoir would be all over it.

And McCaw would be lying on top of it waving his arms about Very Happy

I think Fitzgerald is def out for a few games cos Zeebo has been called up to replace him - I'm not sure about Healy

by maestegmafia Wed 25 Jan 2012, 10:37 pm

munkian wrote:
Feckless Rogue wrote:They should hide the trophy and whichever captain finds it is the winner. If it's hidden high up on a top shelf somewhere Ireland would be favourites. If it's buried away somewhere and they have to go digging, Wales would take it.

Good work

by maestegmafia Thu 26 Jan 2012, 11:23 am

Wales coach Warren Gatland wrote:"The first game against Ireland is huge for us," said Gatland.

We are under no illusions how difficult the game is going to be and the Irish provinces have been going fantastically well especially in Europe.

Ireland will be looking for a bit of payback after the World Cup and we know its going to be difficult out there and its going to be a big game over at the Aviva Stadium.

We are excited about it and if we play well and put a performance in it sets us up nicely with the home fixtures.

It would be nice to think going into the last game against France we will have everything to play for, but we are taking it one game at a time.

We have spoken as a squad about not looking past Ireland, we want to get that right.

Its important for us to continue the momentum we have built and we want to kick on from what we have started and created.

We are hugely excited - this is a really special tournament."

by SecretFly Thu 26 Jan 2012, 11:29 am

maestegmafia wrote:
Wales coach Warren Gatland wrote:"The first game against Ireland is huge for us," said Gatland.

We are under no illusions how difficult the game is going to be and the Irish provinces have been going fantastically well especially in Europe.

Ireland will be looking for a bit of payback after the World Cup and we know its going to be difficult out there and its going to be a big game over at the Aviva Stadium.

We are excited about it and if we play well and put a performance in it sets us up nicely with the home fixtures.

It would be nice to think going into the last game against France we will have everything to play for, but we are taking it one game at a time.

We have spoken as a squad about not looking past Ireland, we want to get that right.

Its important for us to continue the momentum we have built and we want to kick on from what we have started and created.

We are hugely excited - this is a really special tournament."

Starting to sound like Kidney! "Everything is grand, we like the other side, one game at a time, nothing is written is stone but we'd like to be the ones writing it all the same. Sure wouldn't it be grand for the fans. Enjoy the game, Tracy"

Where's the fire and brimstone??? Gatland...I'm so disappointed in you.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 26 Jan 2012, 11:31 am

There's still time between now and kick-off for him to shoot his mouth off...!

by maestegmafia Thu 26 Jan 2012, 12:17 pm

I ma sure there will be a quip extracted by some savvy little media snitch next week that sets everyone who wants to be in uproar, up in uproar...!

by Comfort Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:01 pm

Its alright, we can always count on Gatland, considering the injuries in this game affecting the welsh chances already, he'll come out with something like...

"Earls is rubbish at 13, but hes a nicer person than BOD, who's a c**t. We'll smash their faces in anyway, we hate the irish as a whole country. This wont even be close, did any of you even see the game in the world cup, pfffft, SOB? I bet he went home and sobbed! JHEEEEZ"

We can always count on Gatland to make things that littler bit harder for us, karma loves to throw his comments back at him.

Of course, we'll argue that you didnt see the whole interview and what he said was taken out of context, most will agree, and after the game we'll all be friends and blame the media. Hug

by maestegmafia Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:12 pm

The media are too often worthy of the blame...!

by eirebilly Thu 26 Jan 2012, 2:13 pm

Got to love the banter leading up to a match like this Very Happy

by maestegmafia Thu 26 Jan 2012, 3:01 pm

I am sure it will all kick off, as mentioned above, when Gatland says something that is prompted by a journalist to get a reaction that can cause maximum discord.

by maestegmafia Thu 26 Jan 2012, 3:05 pm

Fantasy League anyone ?

http://espnscrum.fantasyleague.com

by GunsGerms Thu 26 Jan 2012, 3:55 pm

Ireland by 10. Sexton to make fools of the Welsh D. and score a sublime winner.

by munkian Thu 26 Jan 2012, 4:17 pm

leinsterbaby wrote:Ireland by 10. Sexton to make fools of the Welsh D. and score a sublime winner.

Hey ! I'll have you know we are perfectly capable of making fools of our selves thank you very much, we don't need a squinty eyed D4head to do it for us ! Diloch thumbsup

by Knowsit17 Thu 26 Jan 2012, 4:38 pm

leinsterbaby wrote:Ireland by 10. Sexton to make fools of the Welsh D. and score a sublime winner.

Heard that before. Also that Trimble is going to do exactly the same thing. And Heaslip. And O'Brien. The list goes on.

When will you sillies learn that, just like us, you can't cut it in both the Heino and in national colours? It's been a long established fact that no matter how godlike the boys might turn out in the former, they inevitably fall short in the latter! Yesterday twas BOD, POC, DOC and ROG, today it's Sexton, Earls and Trimble on a second wind, tomorrow it'll be Cave, McFadden and Keatley. Irish player after Irish player will look destined for greater honours only to be shunted into obscurity by one opponent or another when playing in green! You usually get the provincial honours while, either in performance or achievement, we usually top you at internationals.

Before and after his stormer in the HEC final, Sexton was made to look distinctly ordinary by a sublime and effective Welsh side. Why will that change now? devil

by munkian Thu 26 Jan 2012, 4:54 pm

Its true, ROG should have stuck to kicking goals and looking pretty at the back instead Ireland tried to play rugby against the big boys and got DOMINATED (tm Brand Haskell)

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Who do you think will be the Winner...???