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

Cymroglan wrote:Taken off after 65 min

I always thought he seemed like a good chap. It must be the half-English bit shining through

Knowsit17 wrote:

I always thought he seemed like a good chap. It must be the half-English bit shining through

The Clerc debacle was actually Warburton's way of letting loose his frustration at that speck of Englishness in him. As long as he keeps up the big hits, he can find it in himself to smile and give England the odd compliment

ESPN SPORT wrote:Six Nations

Jones backs James to deputise for Jenkins

Tight-head Adam Jones has backed fellow Ospreys' prop Paul James to step into the Wales loose-head berth following Gethin Jenkins' injury.

Cardiff Blues prop Jenkins is set to be out for up to five weeks after suffering a knee injury in his region's Heineken Cup victory over Racing Metro. That makes Jenkins the third first-choice player to be ruled out of Wales' opening Six Nations clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium a week on Sunday, with locks Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris left out of coach Warren Gatland's squad due to long-term injuries.

Gatland also has injury doubts over fly-half Rhys Priestland (knee), centre Jamie Roberts (knee) and flanker Dan Lydiate (ankle).

Gatland admitted at this week's Six Nations launch that the loss of 83-cap forward Jenkins, who is also likely to miss the home game against Scotland, is a huge blow to his side. But the Blues prop was badly troubled by niggling toe and calf problems during 2010 and 2011, with James stepping into the loose-head jersey to good effect on those occasions.

And Jones, 30, has every confidence that his Ospreys team-mate will once again prove to be a more than able deputy. Jones said: "Paul has always done very well when he has been called upon.

"He is a different type of prop to Gethin in that he is a bit more set-piece orientated, while Gethin is like having an extra back-row forward on the field. So what we lose in one area we can gain in another. They are both good all-round players and I have no doubt that Paul will make sure we are not weakened in that area."

While Jenkins is the only member of Gatland's initial 35-man selection to be ruled out of the trip to Dublin, fly-half Priestland, whose assured performances made him one of the stars of Wales' march to the World Cup semi-finals, is struggling to be fit for selection. That has led to veteran fly-half Stephen Jones being called into their training camp in Gdansk, Poland.

Jones, who has won a record 104 caps for his country, was left out of Gatland's original party, but with Priestland's fitness proving a concern and James Hook having to return to Perpignan for their Top 14 fixture this weekend, the Scarlets playmaker will provide training cover.

Hook is likely to be handed the starting role should Priestland fail to prove his fitness for the Aviva Stadium clash, which would potentially leave Jones in line for a spot among the replacements. Gavin Henson is the other outside-half option in Gatland's squad, but he has not featured at number 10 in his three appearances to date for the Cardiff Blues.

Wales' Dublin assignment will be a repeat of the World Cup quarter-final in Wellington, which they won 22-10. But Wales have a poor recent record in Dublin, having won on just one of their last five visits to the city, and face an Ireland side thirsting for revenge after their premature World Cup exit.

And with the Irish provinces having been in excellent Heineken Cup form in recent weeks, Jones is well aware of the huge task facing the visitors. "It is going to be pretty tough, they are very good in Dublin," said the 75-cap tighthead. "They showed that with the way they gave England a mauling last year. We know they will be coming in with an element of revenge, we have seen what (Ireland captain) Paul O'Connell has had to say, but we are confident going into this game.

"Their provinces have done very well - although if you look at Ulster a lot of their key players are South African - but the guys who play for Leinster and Munster, they know how to win big games and they will be on a high. We are confident after what we did at the World Cup, although we have to remember that we also lost three games out there; we got to the semi-finals but we did not achieve what we set out to do.

"We know in Dublin that we will have to turn up and be at the top of our game."

Allan Phillips Wales Team Manager wrote:

Priestland has established himself as Wales' first choice fly-half
Team manager Alan Phillips admits Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate remain injury doubts for Wales' match against Ireland despite signs of improvement.
Priestland has been suffering with a knee injury while an ankle problem has troubled Lydiate.
Both players have spent the week with the Welsh squad in Poland ahead of the Six Nations opener against Ireland on 5 February.
"There's definitely an improvement in both players," said Phillips.
Both players suffered the injuries while playing for their clubs in European competitions last weekend.
Fly-half Priestland was injured during Scarlets' victory over Castres in the Heineken Cup while Lydiate was helped off the field in Newport Gwent Dragons' win against Prato in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
"He's [Priestland] stopped limping about the place so obviously we'll have to see how it goes," said Phillips.
"I noticed Dan didn't have the boot on all day yesterday [Friday].
Continue reading the main story
For Stephen playing for Wales is everything. That's why he most probably hasn't retired from international rugby
Alan Phillips
Wales team manager
"They're spending three or four times a day in the cryotherapy and doing a lot of remedial work.
"We'll have to see how it is when we arrive home and back in camp on Tuesday.
"There's definitely been an improvement in them but whether it will be enough for next we don't know yet."
Wales have also been monitoring the fitness of centre Jamie Roberts, who has yet to play a game this year.
Roberts suffered a knee injury during Cardiff Blues' Pro 12 win over the Dragons in December.
"We're looking after him a bit because we've got an all-weather pitch here which is not suitable for him and his knee," said Phillips.
"But he's trained and came through it well. He's coming along nicely as well."
Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones was a late addition to Wales' training camp in Poland following James Hook's return to club duties with Perpignan in France.
And Phillips said the record-cap holder was delighted to have received the call-up to the Welsh training camp.
"For Stephen playing for Wales is everything," said Phillips. "That's why he most probably hasn't retired from international rugby.
"He wants to play as much as he can. He's chirpy and he's just glad to be back in the camp."

Warren Gatland wrote:

Brian will be a huge loss for them and who they play there I am not sure, Keith Earls had a good game against Northampton in the Heineken Cup recently but they are huge boots to fill. Brian is a big leader for them and someone who gives them a massive amount of direction.

It is something we have to take a bit of an advantage of with them losing that experience Brian brings to their game.

I am sure Ireland will have a lot of motivation, if they lose something they always talk about payback and revenge and this time will be no different. I am sure the disappointment of Wales winning in Wellington will spur them on.

We are hoping Jamie is going to be right because he is a critical player for us, he showed the damage he was able to do getting us across the gain line and being really direct.

We've got some real quality and talent. Some of our young players are very exciting and incredibly professional in the way they prepare, I believe we have a special group of young players who will only improve from here. What this team is potentially capable of doing is very exciting for Welsh rugby.

Wales Captain Sam Warburton in the Independent on Sunday wrote:

It was a missed opportunity in New Zealand because we missed out on getting to the final by one point," said Warburton.

Maybe we were a little bit naive out there in that we didn't realise how big a stage we were playing on.

We played each game as just another rugby match. We played with no fear and never went into our shells.

That will probably be the same message this time - don't think too much about it and ignore all the stuff that goes on off the field. It's just another game of rugby.

It will be different in the Six Nations because the pressure from the Welsh public wasn't there going into the World Cup.

We surprised people with how far we got in the competition, but now we're expected to win the Six Nations.

I was walking past the Millennium Stadium the other day and it said we have three home games, the last of which is Wales v France....and that was the one that had sold out.

Obviously everyone is anticipating that as the championship-winning game. There is more pressure on us, but we're happy with that.

Exert from Hugh Godwin's Article in the Independent on Sunday wrote:"You want to beat everybody but there's something special about beating England," said Alan Phillips, the Wales manager who played at hooker at Twickenham in the brutal 1980 match. "Always has been, it's in our DNA. Same for the Irish and the Scottish. Because of the size of England, the amount of clubs they've got, the player base, they should be overwhelming favourites every time we play them. They've got a dozen ormore professional teams to pick from, the same as France. When you've played in or been involved with a side that's beaten England, it's a great achievement."

Phillips described Twickenham as "a very sporting crowd, very controlled and respectful". He is old enough to remember when team talks evoked downtrodden miners. But Phillips gave the old foe a fillip. "England are going to play a bit of rugby and they should be applauded for that," he said. "The youngster they've brought in will have a go."

TycroesOsprey wrote:you had the same gut feeling before the RWC match and the 6Nations match last year, time for some yakult mate.

Cari wrote:I reckon Wales will win in Dublin, but it won't be spectacularly and by much. I think this is their first game at the new stadium...they may feel a little intimidated...

Notch wrote:

Cari wrote:I reckon Wales will win in Dublin, but it won't be spectacularly and by much. I think this is their first game at the new stadium...they may feel a little intimidated...

Do you mean the new stadium in Lansdowne Road Cari? It actually opened in 2010

AlynDavies wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:you had the same gut feeling before the RWC match and the 6Nations match last year, time for some yakult mate.

Well spotted, your correct!
I always have a bad feeling before Irish games, it's probably from seeing all those dull, boring, tedious, poor skilled, games I saw through the 90's not to mention the 2000's where Ireland adapted to professionalism better and started to beat us more often than not.
I'd rather just skip Ireland and get onto the others!

I maintain (despite being wrong the last 2 times), that I have a feeling Wales will lose this one!

TycroesOsprey wrote:Yes it did open in 2010 but after the six nations, this is Wales first visit to the stadium as Cari said?

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Under the high ball in Dublin with the wind swirling, the crowd roaring and half the Irish side running at him? I don't think we should risk him.

bedfordwelsh wrote:I'd plump for North Byrne Halfpenny for this game, things is Byrne was one of the ones who knew he would get picked regardless due to lack of options.

He now knows Halfpenny and Williams are knocking on door and in his defence his form for Clermont has been good.

Gibson wrote:Ireland by 20. Min.

Gibson wrote:Nah Maesteg pal, that was a wee bit hasty. Ive thought about it since. Ireland by 25.

Honestly. Really think we are going to let rip next Sunday. Wales missing 2 brilliant players in Priestland and Jenkins - swings it for me. OK we've no BOD. But hey.

Hope its a great game either way.

Gibson wrote:Maesteg, we have NO hope. Ye are far superior, have a better coach, backrow, frontrow, centres, wingers and could have won the RWC.

I'm praying for a miracle.

The Western Mail wrote:

Warren Gatland has put back the naming of his Wales team to face Ireland by 48 hours amid continuing major doubts over the fitness of Rhys Priestland and Dan Lydiate.

The Wales coach has given outside-half Priestland (knee) and blindside flanker Lydiate (ankle) extra time in their bid to recover from injury and is now not expected to finalise his selection until Friday.

Six Nations 2008 Grand Slam skipper Ryan Jones is in line to deputise for Lydiate, but Gatland is mulling over whether to start with James Hook or recalled veteran Stephen Jones in the crucial role of playmaker if Priestland fails to make next Sunday’s Six Nations opener at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/01/30/warren-gatland-delays-naming-wales-side-for-ireland-six-nations-opener-91466-30223655/#ixzz1kwNkHbPx

SecretFly wrote:
Injuries, injuries, injuries seem to be the calling card of Welsh rugby in the last few weeks.

maestegmafia wrote:

The Western Mail wrote:

Gatland is mulling over whether to start with James Hook or recalled veteran Stephen Jones in the crucial role of playmaker if Priestland fails to make next Sunday’s Six Nations opener at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/01/30/warren-gatland-delays-naming-wales-side-for-ireland-six-nations-opener-91466-30223655/#ixzz1kwNkHbPx

maestegmafia wrote:

SecretFly wrote:
Injuries, injuries, injuries seem to be the calling card of Welsh rugby in the last few weeks.

It is a practice that has actually been in use for a very long time, not in the cryogenic exponent in this case but the application of different temperatures to cure muscle and ligament damage faster is common practice and has been so in many different guises for thousands of years. So it is all quite well researched and precisely monitored.