Ireland v Wales score prediction?

First topic message reminder :

What does everyone think the score will be when Ireland host Wales at the Aviva in just over 3 weeks time?

Wales have won twice in a row against Ireland which was quite frankly a miracle and hasn't happened since 1574. Ireland will do anything not to lose 3 in a row.

Wales struggle with expectation and everyone talking about them retaining their world cup form is going to be a hindrance rather than a positive. The 2010 match in Croke Park was one of the worst Welsh performances in recent years and think we could be in for a repeat.

Ireland 35-14 Wales

You say it is clear cut, doesn't make it so. Healy is a fine player but Geth is a class apart, perhaps the best in the world...can you say that about your boy?

It is clear cut Gatts..Healy is world class and Gethin was world class..that is the difference.

Its your opinion; you are welcome to it....it's just that it is wrong. 'Better'? what sort of assessment is that? At 31 Geth is STILL a feared scrummager and third flanker in the loose, Healy is a relative unknown making a name for himself but frankly by suggesting the two are even near each other in class you just undermine your credibility

Re watched the Wales Ireland WC game last night, first time since watching it live.

Warburton and Gethin were ball stealing machines , it was amazing to watch. And Roberts hit on DOC ? Insane , he didn't know what hit him.

It's going to be a very close game , if Ireland kick for points rather than try to out play Wales then I think they will get a close win. If Wales play like that again and frustrate Ireland and nullify their 10 and back row Wakes will win again.

That was probably the best Ive ever seen Wales play , right up there with the Grabdslam wins over Ireland too.

Bit of humility Gatts ?

Wales wins because of two reasons (a) it's called the land of song. says it all really and (b) Led Zeppelin recorded there. therefore Led Zeppelin are sort of Welsh.

on a rugby front I can't actualy see Wales winning against Ireland this season and actually think we'll struggle. I see Scotland finishing higher

Gethin was world class? On what do you base his decline?

Gatts wrote:Its your opinion; you are welcome to it....it's just that it is wrong. 'Better'? what sort of assessment is that? At 31 Geth is STILL a feared scrummager and third flanker in the loose, Healy is a relative unknown making a name for himself but frankly by suggesting the two are even near each other in class you just undermine your credibility

I'm not suggesting they are near each other in class. Healy is far better how many times do I need to say it?

The fact that healy is relatively unknown to you probably says a lot. You should get out more Gatts, the rugby World doesn't end at Offas Dyke you know .

mckay1402 wrote:Wales wins because of two reasons (a) it's called the land of song. says it all really and (b) Led Zeppelin recorded there. therefore Led Zeppelin are sort of Welsh.

Now that's just below the belt McKay. You can take our land but you can't take our Zeppelin...

Gatts relax sir..no need for you to get stressed out about it. Gethin's still a fine player, he's just been upsurped by a younger and better player. He'll still make a decent dirt tracker for the Lions but father time waits for no man I'm afraid.

Gatts.

Healy is just better ok, just deal with it. 2 HC medals in his arsepocket are the proof. A win in the Southern Hemisphere against Aus and a victory at home to SA. All from a 24 y/o prop. He's got his name on the Lions test jersey already. The sooner you come to terms with it, the better.

ahh Gatts is ok, he's just a passionate soul, no harm done.

roddersm wrote: ahh Gatts is ok, he's just a passionate soul, no harm done.

Passionate is one way of putting it!

p.s. with regards to the topic - I'm gonna go for Ireland by 10....

Well you're the Mod but if it was the comments aimed at me he's banned for I'm happy enough to see him back. It was only a bit of banter.

Don't worry mate it's not just from you and this thread - it's based on a cumulative number of house rules being broken and complaints!

Gatts just...well, he's what he is. He has just a very loose cannon style that gives the impression he isn't so cozy with the notion of one opinion per person.

But like Rodders, I'd hope the ban is short as 'opinions' are precious things in a healthy democracy...most especially the ones we mightn't necessarily agree with.

Opinions are all well and good SecretFly, and encouraged on here. Tis just also encouraged that posters argue their case without breaking site rules is all!

If he could argue his case without abusing people and getting angry his opinions would be more than welcome!

Rule are rules and its up to the mods to enforce them, just making the point that I wasn't particularly offended by his earlier comments directed at me.

This sort of banter is what these boards are all about, if we all agreed on everything then it would be a boring world.

For me currently I would take Healy over Jenkins likewise I would take Lydiate over SOB but sure loads wouldn't thats my choice and happy with others who dis-agree.

We have seen how players react differently with different (National/Lions) coahces.

Graham Henry took Dafydd James on the 01 Lions tour and was mocked by loads but outside of the then current Welsh set up James thrived with other class players around him, had a great series and started all 3 Lions test.

bedfordwelsh wrote:
We have seen how players react differently with different (National/Lions) coahces.

Yes, coaches are important. And that might sound self-evident but I'm constantly surprised by the number of people who would quite openly disagree. Not overtly of course but in just about everything they say, they tell you they don't believe a coach gives structure to the team (when on the field players have to think for themselves and do) or is responsible when things are unwinding (the flyhalf was witless, the hooker couldn't throw a straight ball all day, the great club wing is useless when he's playing for the National side) To some it's always a player's fault and can always be rectified by choosing a different player.

I think Healy and Jenkins are going opposite ways realistically, Jenkins has had his time on top of the pile, and is slowly going down. Healy is rising to the top of the pile.

I wouldnt say theres that much to seperate them at all, Healy currently in better form, but Jenkins is capable of putting in world-class shifts, perhaps not as regularly as before, but any man that counts him out needs examining.

ill throw a few contentious ones into the mix (based on what i like currently):

Trimble over all of the welsh wing options bar North.
JD2 over any centre ireland have available.
Ferris over Lydiate.
Faletau over any of the irish back 3.
Sexton over the welsh flyhalves.

Ferris is a lot better than Faletau that is for sure.. not a chance is he a better player than Ferris. One is world class, one is getting there. I'm not taking anything away from Faletau here but it is an early call to be saying he is better than Ferris, SOB and Heaslip.

Well he's deffo better then SOB and Heaslip this season (granted, Heaslip is starting to show some good form). And when you consider what sort of ball he's got to deal with at the Dragons, and he's still shining, that for me makes him all the more impressive.

North is our only wing at the moment, who knows who will start on other side probably Halfpenny.

I would take Sexton but again we seen what Priestland done in the WC.

Ferris plays 6 doesn't he so hard to compare him against Faletau.

The back row battle will be great I have no worries about Lydiate Faletau and Warburton going against Ferris Heaslip and SOB.

Again its about coaches and the combinations themselves, the Irish trio are all playing at the highest level in the HC this season whilst Lydiate and Faletau are in the Amlin but again as the WC proved once they in the Welsh set up it doesn't matter.

This game will be won or lost by the back row battle I feel.

rugbydreamer wrote:Well he's deffo better then SOB and Heaslip this season (granted, Heaslip is starting to show some good form). And when you consider what sort of ball he's got to deal with at the Dragons, and he's still shining, that for me makes him all the more impressive.

That is why I said he is certainly not better than Ferris and SOB was the european player of the year last season, and Heaslip has been among the best 8 in the world in the past. Faletau hasn't achieved anything like that yet. Yes he had a good world cup, yes he is playing tremendously for the Dragons, but lets wait before making him out to be better than these guys But you are certainly right, on current form he is outplaying both SOB and Heaslip (but only just, for SOB at least).

see Rory, thats your opinion, thats the point, we all look for different things in players and will see them in different lights, we're not supposed to agree

Im sure I read somewhere that Faletau has not missed a tackle since the world cup. (probably wrong - lets be honest) but if thats right thats insane! To me, he looks like the prototype for the new athletic flanker/backrow player. hes been sublime for the dragons, put in behind that leinster pack and watch him shine.

Ferris is excellant, Id just take faletau at the moment. although preferably, id have them both in the back row with a McCaw/Pocock/Warburtonesque type player. as Bedford said its hard to compare them as ones a natural 6, the other an 8. but if i had to choose, thats what id choose.

bedfordwelsh wrote:This sort of banter is what these boards are all about, if we all agreed on everything then it would be a boring world.

For me currently I would take Healy over Jenkins likewise I would take Lydiate over SOB but sure loads wouldn't thats my choice and happy with others who dis-agree.

We have seen how players react differently with different (National/Lions) coahces.

Graham Henry took Dafydd James on the 01 Lions tour and was mocked by loads but outside of the then current Welsh set up James thrived with other class players around him, had a great series and started all 3 Lions test.

Banter is banter but just chucking out agressive abuse everytime someone disagree with you and constantly make childish ridiculous statements is what put people off teh old 606.

Gatss has posts delted on a daily basis, theres a line he cant stick to it. The site has its own house policies, if peopel cant stick to them or dont like them theres plenty of other internet for them to go to.
This was a vaguely interesting thread till it got reduced to " Im welsh Gethin is great ps your and idiots " vs " Im not Welsh no he isnt hahah"

Its gonna happen once in a while, but when its the smae person doing it day after day it becomes a touch tiresome for the mods having to step in and clear it up as much as the posters trying to have a conversation without someone laying into them needlesly in the name of "banter".

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:Well he's deffo better then SOB and Heaslip this season (granted, Heaslip is starting to show some good form). And when you consider what sort of ball he's got to deal with at the Dragons, and he's still shining, that for me makes him all the more impressive.

That is why I said he is certainly not better than Ferris and SOB was the european player of the year last season, and Heaslip has been among the best 8 in the world in the past. Faletau hasn't achieved anything like that yet. Yes he had a good world cup, yes he is playing tremendously for the Dragons, but lets wait before making him out to be better than these guys But you are certainly right, on current form he is outplaying both SOB and Heaslip (but only just, for SOB at least).

Time to move on me thinks new season, new stars and all that! This season, he's better than those 2, for now at least anyway, still a long way to go.

You had better watch before I go all Gatts on you for having an opinion

Lets be honest though, would you swap any of your backrow for any of ours? Maybe one for one, but you would rather have who you have now. I think all welsh fans would feel that way, and all irish fans would feel that way about their players. Both of us are very fortunate to have the talent in the backrow we have, and I honestly can't wait to see them go head to head once again.

Also you may be right about Faletau seeing the example for that style of flanker, but I think SOB also is a very similar player. Both of them in the same backrow would be mouthwatering.

All I'll say is that I can't wait for the 2013 Lions tour and the battle for the Test back row places!

I must admit, i haven't seen Felatau at all this season. He didn't play in the RDS and i haven't seen any Amlin highlights at all. Is he still ripping up trees yeah?

I've seen him once or twice for the Dragons, and he was, yeah. He was pretty incredible in one game I saw him actually. Can't remember who the opposition was.

Mickado - yeah, he's just playing incredibly well. Was superb away against the Blues. The breaks he's making, supporting play, turnovers, tackles - he's like a one man machine at the minute. Really hope he keeps up the good form.

yeah faletaus been on fire this season, doing everything you'd expect from a player the calibre of Harrinordiquay/Parisse, I think hes been that good so far this season, obviously its a little early to have him up there with those players, but i think hes shown that he has the potential, and he can perform consistently over a season.

Yeah Rory, I'd definitely agree with you on SOB, i like how all of the players in the backrows (bar Ferris cause he can basically do everything, the git!) are developing their games because they're all so young. O'Mahoney at Munster has looked excellant this season, and hes one who could be forcing Heaslip to up his game over the next season or 2.

Both sides look to have very healthy futures in the backrow, as someone else said, the make up of the Lions pack in 2013 could be one of the strongest (relative to their time) to have ever gone south!

Roberts looking like a real doubt for the ireland opener, he's a key player for us. But, if Beck can carry his regional fom to the international stage, im actually not that worried, a centre pairing of Beck/JD2 could be a very potent one in attack.

Any ideas who's most likely to start in the centres for ireland?

Looks like Roberts only has 50/50 chance of making the game so do we go with a Scarlets combo of Priestland Davies and Williams or does Beck get the nod?

I would put Beck in over Williams, I care not that it would be his first cap, but Priestland, Williams, Davies - is not working for the Scarlets this season (they have Scott and Foxy the wrong way around imo).

Comfort wrote:yeah faletaus been on fire this season, doing everything you'd expect from a player the calibre of Harrinordiquay/Parisse, I think hes been that good so far this season, obviously its a little early to have him up there with those players, but i think hes shown that he has the potential, and he can perform consistently over a season.

Yeah Rory, I'd definitely agree with you on SOB, i like how all of the players in the backrows (bar Ferris cause he can basically do everything, the git!) are developing their games because they're all so young. O'Mahoney at Munster has looked excellant this season, and hes one who could be forcing Heaslip to up his game over the next season or 2.

Both sides look to have very healthy futures in the backrow, as someone else said, the make up of the Lions pack in 2013 could be one of the strongest (relative to their time) to have ever gone south!

Roberts looking like a real doubt for the ireland opener, he's a key player for us. But, if Beck can carry his regional fom to the international stage, im actually not that worried, a centre pairing of Beck/JD2 could be a very potent one in attack.

Any ideas who's most likely to start in the centres for ireland?

Possibly D'Arcy and Earls. In fact after the team Leinster have fielded, I am certain D'Arcy will be starting at 12. McFadden is on the wing in that game. Unfortunately, playing D'Arcy and Earls is possibly the worst combination we could be playing. If we do play them two, I would say Wales have a much better chance of winning.

Comfort

Agreed. I would definitely like to see Beck given a shot at centre if Roberts is injured. I think he will bring the direct running needed. with JD2 running off him

As for the discussion about Healy v Jenkins I think you have to look at the whole front row unit. Jenkins Rees Jones is a well established front row that has demonstrated on many occasions that it is up there with the best in the world. In the loose there is not a prop in the world that can do what Jenkins can do. His scrummaging has always been the weakest part of his game but even that is better than most.

I guess there are two other options as well

He setup a try from the Dragons 10 m line , massive burst of pace and then two passes and boom. Our back row made the Irish their bitches in the WC , you can hear Heaslip scream in frustration as he's bundled into touch for the 2nd time in a row.

dont you dare bedford!

Comfort wrote:dont you dare bedford!

ok Comfort but sure someone will mention them

Rory, thats sort of a relief to be honest, Earls can go from sublime to shambles in a second it seems at centre. I'd be a lot more worried with Cave at 13, i know theres been a lot of debate amongst the irish fans on Earls though, so ill try and steer clear of that in the fear of unleashing a wave of green anger over the thread.

Im assuming Trimble/Bowe are gonna be the wings, Kearney at fullback.

Should be a good game, the battles im really looking forward too:

O'Connell vs Ian Evans
Ferris vs Lydiate
12 vs 12 (mainly as there is huge potential for surprise selections in both teams)
Trimble vs North

of course, thats hoping everyone stays injury free and gets selected

I really want North to up his game. He seems to have taken his foot off the pedal lately after a blistering start to his career. Needs to step up now defences are aware of his threat.

I think North has yet to hit his straps after injury , pretty sure he's played more internationals than club games in his career

maybe he just cant take that step back down to regional level