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

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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.

Zeno has a long way to go before the Cullen comparisons really fit.

He does Maestag of course I wasn't comparing him, I said they both have certain attributes that are similar. He is very like Shane Williams too. Difficult fecker to bring down.

Ireland won't underestimate Wales this time around. The bookies have got this one spot on with a fairly comfortable home win

Hope lydiate makes it, feels a much stronger bench with Jones on it. Although Shingler has been playing well for Scarlets.

Has looked good so far of what I have seen, sure he will be a huge asset to Ireland over the next few years.

Honestly I think everyone is making far too much of AWJ and Luke being out. we gain power in the scrum and two ball carriers. we lose some athleticism and charts defence. Both are in good form as well.

I will say it again where have Ireland suddenly developed the game to beat us? they have regressed since they won the slam in 2009 and its fundementally the same team. Other than the Oz game and the England game they were very poor last year.

We have a tight five that will dominate the scrum. We have a backrow that will compete with the Irish and will win more turnovers. at halfback Phillips is better than Murray and Priestland Hook or Wellies is a match for Sexton or O Gara. our midfield is better in both defence and attack. Our Back three have a bvery good long kicking game and are all proven strike runners. Other than Bowe POC and Healey who from the Irish team would get into the team named above? Maybe Ferris if Lydiate is out.

Healey 1. Paul James
Best 2. Matthew Rees
Ross 3. Adam Jones
Ryan 4. Bradley Davies
POC 5. Ian Evans
Ferris 6. Ryan Jones (Dan Lydiate)
SOB 7. Sam Warburton
Heaslip 8. Toby Faletau
Murray 9. Mike Phillips
Sexton 10. James Hook (Rhys Preistland)
Trimble 11. George North
Darcy 12. Jamie Roberts
Earls 13. Jonathon Davies
Bowe 14. Leigh Halfpenny
Kearney 15. Lee Byrne

Ireland didn't underestimate them last time out - they just lost to a far better side on the day - it may be tough to swallow but that was the fact with Ireland just about hanging on in the last 10 praying for the whistle

I think we did underestimate Wales and we paid the price. Our asses were truely handed to us that day so no complaints.

RubyGuby wrote:Ireland didn't underestimate them last time out - they just lost to a far better side on the day - it may be tough to swallow but that was the fact with Ireland just about hanging on in the last 10 praying for the whistle

Those Irish players seem to be in very good form and I don't think our lads have shown the same verve since the semi final.

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland won't underestimate Wales this time around. The bookies have got this one spot on with a fairly comfortable home win

That suggests they underestimated Wales the last two times they've played? Perhaps the fantastic performances of the Irish regions will play in to Wales hands once more.

Ireland will have studied the Welsh tactic of first man tackling really low on the Irish Back row and will have worked out a way to get in to some space first. I think Ireland pack will be take things much slower and deliberate, Scott Quinell found that being too good at beating the first defender from the back of mauls and scrums left him far too often in no mans land.

I can't sleep with the excitement!

maestegmafia wrote:Roberts and Ryan Jones are expected to be fit. Priestland, Lydiate, Charteris, AWJ and Gethins are the only expected injuries.

Possible that Priestland and Lydiate might make it though.

Find out Friday!

Ryan Jones was never injured - He played in the O's last European game (he was injured before then though)

He was on the bench the last game because he wasn't fully recovered.

"I will say it again where have Ireland suddenly developed the game to beat us? "

They only lost to us because of a dodgy throw in. I don't think we'll have the luck this time out. Wales only came good when they picked preistland out of neccessity during the warm ups.

Playing for a region /province is one thing but selecting the best players then finding the best partnership that can play to a format that the International coach wants from them is another story.


What Wales have is a big backline and from 9-14 they are going to cause problems for any defending side.
If we win our own ball and steal the odd turnover and of course keep the errors down to a minimum then we have a very good chance of going all the way in this competition.

wales606 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Roberts and Ryan Jones are expected to be fit. Priestland, Lydiate, Charteris, AWJ and Gethins are the only expected injuries.

Possible that Priestland and Lydiate might make it though.

Find out Friday!

Ryan Jones was never injured - He played in the O's last European game (he was injured before then though)

So rubbish reporting by WOS which suggested he was a doubt

TycroesOsprey wrote:Yeah I think thats the team although Cuthbert over Scott on the bench. Im still hopeful on Priestland and Lydiate.

If Hook is on the bench, Cuthbert will be there as then they cover 10 - 15 (Halfpenny 15)

If SJ is on the bench then S.Williams will be the only real options as he can play in the centres and can just about cover the wing if needs must.

Cymroglan wrote:Playing for a region /province is one thing but selecting the best players then finding the best partnership that can play to a format that the International coach wants from them is another story.


What Wales have is a big backline and from 9-14 they are going to cause problems for any defending side.
If we win our own ball and steal the odd turnover and of course keep the errors down to a minimum then we have a very good chance of going all the way in this competition.

9-14, What about 15? Surely Byrne will play...? No? - love him or hate him, he's the best defending 15 and in this match I feel saving 5 points may be better than Halfpenny slotting 3 points from the changing room toilets?

wales606 wrote:

TycroesOsprey wrote:Yeah I think thats the team although Cuthbert over Scott on the bench. Im still hopeful on Priestland and Lydiate.

If Hook is on the bench, Cuthbert will be there as then they cover 10 - 15 (Halfpenny 15)

If SJ is on the bench then S.Williams will be the only real options as he can play in the centres and can just about cover the wing if needs must.

Agreed but Im hopeful over priestland.

15 is the extra man in attack

Byrne on form picks good angles of running in attack and reports from France suggest he is very much on form. Byrne off form is a liability.

TycroesOsprey wrote:Byrne on form picks good angles of running in attack and reports from France suggest he is very much on form. Byrne off form is a liability.

Byrne has been very good for Clermont and has settled in really well. He has adapted well to the squad
and Rougerie was saying how good a signing he has been for them a few weeks ago.

slartibartfast wrote:

Cymroglan wrote:Playing for a region /province is one thing but selecting the best players then finding the best partnership that can play to a format that the International coach wants from them is another story.


What Wales have is a big backline and from 9-14 they are going to cause problems for any defending side.
If we win our own ball and steal the odd turnover and of course keep the errors down to a minimum then we have a very good chance of going all the way in this competition.

9-14, What about 15? Surely Byrne will play...? No? - love him or hate him, he's the best defending 15 and in this match I feel saving 5 points may be better than Halfpenny slotting 3 points from the changing room toilets?

Halfpenny is one of the best defending players in Wales

Cuthbert however, is not, which is why Byrne may play.

Halfpenny will be on the field no-matter-what, he would be one of the first names on the teamsheet at the moment (before North even)

I hadn't noticed Cuthbert get exposed in defence. Thats not good, maybe some time with the Squad will sort him out?

There are a myriad of good options for Wales, but i agree defence is very much as important as goal kicking accurately will be too.

Cuthbert defence is probably better than North's was this time last year.

But, he (like north) isnt great under the high ball + he is inexperienced so would be the risky choice on the wing, compared to Byrne at FB.

Ireland can't cut it internationally. I won't say you've seen it here first, because you've seen it many times before

They're missing an inspirational captain and have had to turn to a man who has failed in the past to prove himself as skipper above provincial level

Names like O'Malley, Zebo, David Kearney, Tuohy and Ryan are largely unknown and untested at national level

Sure the Irish might be pumping in the Heino but they usually do, Leinster's success looked to have boosted Irish hopes before the RWC but they still couldn't handle us

They're favourites again this time, a tag which Les Verts don't sport all that well historically. Again I'd like to draw attention to last October to support this and to other occasions, namely the 07 tournament

Seeing as my last banter post was taken a little too seriously by some, I'd like to confirm to all here and now that if there's an emoticon in the post ( ) then it's banter.....though not necessarily without a hint of truth

Now can everyone please stop moping, all this 'we're going to get thumped' moaning can get depressing for an optimist

Cymroglan wrote:Playing for a region /province is one thing but selecting the best players then finding the best partnership that can play to a format that the International coach wants from them is another story.


What Wales have is a big backline and from 9-14 they are going to cause problems for any defending side.
If we win our own ball and steal the odd turnover and of course keep the errors down to a minimum then we have a very good chance of going all the way in this competition.

+1.

I am waiting, with great interest, to see what Kidney does about this. He must unleash our backline and let Wales try to handle it. Lose conservatism. Promote and encourage open, sexshy rugby - via Kearney, Murray/Reddan, Sexton, Trimble, Darcy/McFadden, Earls and Bowe.

Its the hardest thing for him to do. It goes against his natural grain.
Fact is, we should not worry about any team with these players. No one. Its over to Kidney & Co. If we dont have a great 6-N and show progression in our game - he's dust.

But, I think he knows that by now.

Ireland by 15.

Knowsit17 wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:So to you it's inconceivable that Ireland might beat us fair and square?

You could learn much, young one.

Gallantry and acceptance that the opposition might be better is for after the game. For now, arrogance (albeit no further than friendly banter regarding the opposition) and certainty that the game is ours will only get us in better voice on the day itself. If we were playing NZ in Auckland I'd say the same thing.

For the RWC qf we all turned out in force, with the knowledge that we could do it and lo and behold we did it. I've been disappointed not to find the same confident atmosphere among the Welsh contingent of 606 this time. Whether it has any bearing on the result or not, I'd rather it be so.

Believe FFS

There's confidence and there's refusing to admit the possibility of defeat, and there are some posters here who won't countenance that Ireland are a good side and might win even if we play well. I want us to win and I know that we can, but I know too that Ireland can win and win well. That doesn't make me disloyal.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Knowsit17 wrote:

luckless_pedestrian wrote:So to you it's inconceivable that Ireland might beat us fair and square?

You could learn much, young one.

Gallantry and acceptance that the opposition might be better is for after the game. For now, arrogance (albeit no further than friendly banter regarding the opposition) and certainty that the game is ours will only get us in better voice on the day itself. If we were playing NZ in Auckland I'd say the same thing.

For the RWC qf we all turned out in force, with the knowledge that we could do it and lo and behold we did it. I've been disappointed not to find the same confident atmosphere among the Welsh contingent of 606 this time. Whether it has any bearing on the result or not, I'd rather it be so.

Believe FFS

There's confidence and there's refusing to admit the possibility of defeat, and there are some posters here who won't countenance that Ireland are a good side and might win even if we play well. I want us to win and I know that we can, but I know too that Ireland can win and win well. That doesn't make me disloyal.

100% Agreed...!

Well said chaps, I go the same with Scotland England. Some of us have to accept that England might just be good lucky enough to win that one

Gwyn Jones and Robert Jones on Scrum V said they thought Ireland would win.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has kept his selection options open by naming a 32-man squad ahead of Sunday's Six Nations game against Wales in Dublin.

As expected, Leo Cullen has been ruled out with an Achilles problem.

Kidney has added several members of the Irish Wolfhounds panel to his squad, including Ulster's Chris Henry and Dan Tuohy, and Munster winger Simon Zebo.

Kidney will announce his starting XV on Wednesday, with attention focusing on who will replace Brian O'Driscoll.

Keith Earls and Fergus McFadden are the primary candidates, with the Munster man tipped to get the shirt and Andrew Trimble starting on the wing.

Denis Hurley, Rhys Ruddock, David Kearney, Eoin O'Malley, Brett Wilkinson and Peter O'Mahony will also join up with the senior squad this week.

Scrum-halves Tomas O'Leary and Isaac Boss have failed to make it into the 32 with Eoin Reddan and Conor Murray left to battle for the number nine jersey.

Kidney will also have usual big call to make at fly-half between Jonathan Sexton and Ronan O'Gara.

The only other area of debate is in the second row where Donncha O'Callaghan could see his long-term partnership with Paul O'Connell, skipper in O'Driscoll's absence, broken up.

With Cullen out of contention after undergoing an Achilles operation last week, Donnacha Ryan will be hoping to get the nod to partner the Irish skipper at lock with Ulster's Tuohy possibly also in the frame for selection.

Any welsh posters going to the game? Got my tickets today. Mon Ireland.

Well said Luckless - all this talk of Ireland underestimating Wales (which I can't see happening, especially after how much our players have been bigged up after the WC) - But I'm worried we'll be underestimating Ireland as we'll just think 'we've beaten them twice we can do it again if we play well' and this combined with us generally being slow starters could make it very difficult.

Ireland are a good side, one thier day they can beat anyone, as can Wales and the game could go either way.

Yeah I reckon it could go either way. Hopefully the landsdowne factor will be enough for an Irish win.

It'll be our first visit to the new Lansdowne Road, Leinsterbaby. We might really like the place.

On average - Ireland have about two days in any year when not only can they beat anyone on their day, they actually just go ahead and do it.

Now - we have three games against New Zealand this year (gulp)....so, I reckon we'll be saving our two days for two wins against them

So, Wales - you're okay. Nothing to worry about on Sunday.

You're wrong though. There is always the ref.

Great Secret Fly...!

That is a massive relief. After watching all the Irish lads in the Heineken Cup I was worried we were gonna get stuffed.

Everything's falling right for a Welsh win. Even the bloody weather is coming round to their way of thinking. It should be a nice and cozy minus 10 degrees at Lansdowne on Sunday!

If Ireland are serious about winning the title this year we need to be racking up the points on Sunday. France will be ruthless against Italy and we need to do the same.

Lets be honest this isn't going to be a strong Welsh side on Sunday and sticking them in an Ice box isn't going to change that.

The fact that Gatland has been so quiet suggests even he knows that the inevitable is coming in Sunday...the chicken are coming home to roost for Wales.

Don't forget we've got Mike Phillips and Matthew Rees in the team again, their always godo for a try against the Irish...

Fly,
It rarely gets that cold in Dublin. It will be 6 or 7 degrees, cloudy and drizzly. Same as it is every other day of the year. Like Cardiff really.

I hope the rugby lights it up.

Paul Turner thinks Wales should rest Lydiate for the first two matches and not rush him back from his injury.

Paul Turner Ex-Dragons Coach wrote:
It is probably only right he has a rest over the next two weeks and comes back for the last two. It's a pity for him, he will certainly be a miss. But you have got to be careful with injuries these days. If you play with injuries you can be out for an even longer time.

Rodders - which part of the welsh team isn't strong?

Ireland were a good side, they have been in terminal decline since the slam in 2009. Where have they evolved as a team? They are considerably weaker in the midfield. Neither ROG or Sexton have a long kicking game from hand. Neither have the range of Halfpenny from place. Their backrow is powerful but slow. The lineout should be dominant but anyone thinking without Charteris Wales will be weakened clearly hasnt been watching Evans this season. What do Ireland bring to the table that is different and better than last year? Of their probable team only 3 maybe four would get into the welsh side.

Kidney has not developed the side? Lets be brutally honest 2011 was dire for Ireland. Kidney managed to paper over the cracks with good wins against England and Oz but fundementally his team failed consistently to hit the levels of performance in 2009. poor in the six nations, poor in the warmups, poor in every game except the oz match in the RWC.

so what exactly can the bring to the party that is different and better than they did in October?

Have to say though I think Wales will be a challenge, I think they have been incredibly overrated the past 6 months or so.

roddersm wrote:If Ireland are serious about winning the title this year we need to be racking up the points on Sunday. France will be ruthless against Italy and we need to do the same.

Very good point Rodders. People are saying it could be close. Italy now know they have wins in them. They could upset one or two contenders along the way. Scotland certainly have the capability not only to upset big plans but to hunt for the title themselves if things work out in the early stages.

So it might be a very close competition come the end. Points might become very important indeed in the final reckoning. Again, Ireland have traditionally been very lax in this department. Often they have just slid in wins against inferior opposition when racking up ruthless points might have been a better overall battleplan. England got their bag of points against Italy last year when the rest of us thought they were showboating. Maybe they were but they were also putting some distance between themselves and their nearest rivals if the final standing needed to look at points.

All sides will need to be conscious of the need rack of points if possible.

Ruby if Priestland is out I think you will struggle. He pulled the strings during the RWC and without Roberts I don't think the backline will pose much threat.

Gethins injury is a big blow too.

If Jones or Hook play fly half then the play will drift across the field and Wales should be easy enough to defend against to be honest.

Gibson wrote:Fly,
It rarely gets that cold in Dublin. It will be 6 or 7 degrees, cloudy and drizzly. Same as it is every other day of the year. Like Cardiff really.

I hope the rugby lights it up.

I was doing a little creative over-elaboration there Gibbo. Trying to make the freezer unit boys feel welcome.