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

Comfort wrote: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

Unfortunately Cave is injured, otherwise he should have definitely started. I honestly think Earls would make the most of his qualities at full back, and be one of the most dangerous 15s in world rugby. However at centre, he just doesn't have the distribution. If D'Arcy is 12 you won't have to worry about that battle - you'll win

Rory_Gallagher wrote: I honestly think Earls would make the most of his qualities at full back

I'd kinda be terrified of him being there. I say that because i think he's a little impatient and, like Fitzgerald, highly strung to be a natural 15. They need to be pretty disciplined. Earls is an instinct player. I think he's a wing that might prove himself a centre (now that Big Brother can only watch from the sidelines) He might prove us all wrong about 13...but if not, he should be what he is - a Tommy Bowe, a winger.

I think people are getting ahead of themselves. At best Cave would have made the Wolfhounds squad. Also it should be noted that Earls is a Centre who was turned into a winger due to the Darcy/BOD partnership. He has an impressive enough strike rate from both wing and centre (and even fb). His try ratio is the same as BOD.

DOD wrote:I think people are getting ahead of themselves. At best Cave would have made the Wolfhounds squad. Also it should be noted that Earls is a Centre who was turned into a winger due to the Darcy/BOD partnership. He has an impressive enough strike rate from both wing and centre (and even fb). His try ratio is the same as BOD.

At best? Be honest, have you seen Cave play at all recently? He was by far the best 13, and anyone who thinks otherwise is kidding themselves or just haven't actually watched him play. It is a shame that he is injured, but if he wasn't it would be ridiculous had he not started. Earls is a utility back also. He can play centre, wing or full back. End of.

SecretFly wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote: I honestly think Earls would make the most of his qualities at full back

I'd kinda be terrified of him being there. I say that because i think he's a little impatient and, like Fitzgerald, highly strung to be a natural 15. They need to be pretty disciplined. Earls is an instinct player. I think he's a wing that might prove himself a centre (now that Big Brother can only watch from the sidelines) He might prove us all wrong about 13...but if not, he should be what he is - a Tommy Bowe, a winger.

I think Earls can be rather shaky at times, but he is more likely to make those mistakes in the centre, with his distribution (as I have seen him do countless times). I think however at full back, he has more space to work with. Also, he seems fine under the high ball, it is just his passing/distribution that can let him down. Give him space though and he will destroy the opposition. Which is why I would love him at 15.

Where would you have him if you were coach DOD? Where would you put Earls to use his skills most effectively? Do you think he's a better wing than a centre, or the other way round?

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
I think Earls can be rather shaky at times, but he is more likely to make those mistakes in the centre, with his distribution (as I have seen him do countless times). I think however at full back, he has more space to work with. Also, he seems fine under the high ball, it is just his passing/distribution that can let him down. Give him space though and he will destroy the opposition. Which is why I would love him at 15.

Yeah..I see your points Rory. But I'd still be edgy about him having the disciplin to cover his 'tail' in a high intensity international game. He's certainly no cool and collected Geordan Murphy or even Kearney. But...he'd probably prove me wrong again if he had an extended stint there.

Comfort wrote:

You mean it's back to Earls?? Well, he's almost like the yellow brick road of Ireland this season. If you want to talk about Ireland you have to step onto the topic of Earls.

I know, im just worried im going to start having vivid dreams of godzilla sized Keith Earls chasing me.

Its what happened with Johnny Wilkinson after 2003, I cant watch any rugby on sky at the danger of flashbacks.

O Malley is playing at 13 for Leinster tomorrow - alongside Darcy. Looks like we have him nailed down as replacement for BOD. McFadden has been moved to the wing. O Malley has a big chance to prove himself in the next 2 weeks. Must take them.

Ireland by 15.

Comfort wrote:I know, im just worried im going to start having vivid dreams of godzilla sized Keith Earls chasing me.

Its what happened with Johnny Wilkinson after 2003, I cant watch any rugby on sky at the danger of flashbacks.

I wouldn't worry, if you are running towards a try line he wouldn't catch you

SecretFly wrote:Where would you have him if you were coach DOD? Where would you put Earls to use his skills most effectively? Do you think he's a better wing than a centre, or the other way round?

U20's & Ireland A's he played centre very successfully. Scoring freely with the A's. I think he got shoved to the wing with Munster and Ireland due to incumbents, but he is that good he couldnt be left out.

Why should he be a centre....well over the last few years he has deputised for God as OC and has played well scoring regularly (in fact he scores regularly from every position). I think he has pace, is a decent tackler, can step, is quick off the mark and has a good nose for the line. Now you might say this is the same as a winger yet if BOD wasnt around 3 years ago Earls would have been our OC and developing. I remind you that BOD could not pass for sh1t when he started and his kicking game was woeful. Yet he had the time and space to develop. At the time he was just very raw. I think Earls is/was the same but was never given the chance to develop these skills which I think he has shown signs of (more so recently). I think a good run this year both for Munster and Ireland will give a better indication but I believe he is such a good player these will come. I think that Inside Centre is our problem position to a certain extent more so than the OC one. For your OC you want him to be able to make an outside break and run good lines which I have seen more from Earls. His passing is improving and as he plays more in the position he will develop.

The other thing as mentioned is his strike rate which (if you check) is the same as BODs at this stage in his career, and in addition the ability for Earls to make the outside break which unfortunately BOD has lacked for a number of years is something we need as well. I think we have other wings coming through or playing very well (like Trimble) who should be in the team and even Kearney is playing better than Nacewa (which is a surprise).

With regards to the other options I think people are forgetting that as has been seen Kidney is giving the current bunch a chance of redemption against Wales. In addition though its one thing doing well in the Pro12 and in the HC but Cave/O'Malley etc would have to be viewed in a different team envirionment like the Wolfhounds before they would make the breakthrough to the senior team.

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

I know there was bit of an atricle out at start of the HC saying this years tournament was his first HC experience and had played in a WC semi but not one HC game.

I think 4 out of 6 of the Scarlets' backs this season are in their first full season of HEC rugby, and all bar 1 of them have been to a WC - that's crazy!

rugby,

When its put like that then its a bit strange and not seen very often I bet.

When are the 'A' team games ?

Who'd be an irish fan...all the chat about how good they are, how Healy is best in the world and they can't beat a Welsh side missing 5 first pick forwards...embarassing

Gatts, why can't you just enjoy the win?

Gatts wrote:Who'd be an irish fan...all the chat about how good they are, how Healy is best in the world and they can't beat a Welsh side missing 5 first pick forwards...embarassing

Haven't a clue what irish fans you have been talking to on these forums, because I haven't seen any of those suggestions. I am
sure you are not over-exaggerating or twisting anything someone may have said at all..

roddersm wrote:

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 .

You are right, it ends in Dublin doesn't it....so your man really took advantage of Geth's absence today, hope you enjoyed the game

Gatts wrote:

roddersm wrote:

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 .

You are right, it ends in Dublin doesn't it....so your man really took advantage of Geth's absence today, hope you enjoyed the game

Thats a bit unfair Gatts, Rodders swings between extremes the closer you get to the game. catch him a week before the match when hes only had a couple and he tends to be right. YOu probably got him after a few or close to the match. Anyway sounds lilke he was baiting you and you took the bait. We can forget about Ireland now lets worry about teh scots.

Thanks for your input tycoes and i am touched by your defence of rodders.

Gatts wrote:Who'd be an irish fan...all the chat about how good they are, how Healy is best in the world and they can't beat a Welsh side missing 5 first pick forwards...embarassing

What ever the reasons are for Ireland losing, and there are many, Healy coming up short isn't one of them. He had a good game against Jones in the scrum

TycroesOsprey wrote:
Thats a bit unfair Gatts, Rodders swings between extremes the closer you get to the game. catch him a week before the match when hes only had a couple and he tends to be right. YOu probably got him after a few or close to the match. Anyway sounds lilke he was baiting you and you took the bait. We can forget about Ireland now lets worry about teh scots.

Yeah I probably got a bit excited after the HEC euphoria. No problem admitting I got it wrong. Not sure I ever believed that we were far superior in any area anyway.

Wales were the better side for the second game running. No complaints. They had better tactics and we couldn't live with the power in the 3/4s. The pack fronted up and we weren't able to dominate the way we needed to deny Wales ball. Wales were very impressive and I think are the best team in the NH right now.

Enjoy your victory

Congratulations to a ripe'n'ready Wales, with their tails high and proud, their teeth chomping at the bit, steam fuming out of their ears.

Burned us off the field and left the cinder stains for posterity. You played so well, and we played such a 'great' Plan A game yet again, that I'd be applauding you as winners even if the clock had beaten you to it. Fate was kind this time and allowed the truly better side to also pick up the winner's cheque.

I hope we massacre France in their home ground now as a kind of vengence...afterall, there is always ONE good game in an Irish side every year. ________ Is there??? Tell me there is!!!! _____ Please, please, please, tell me there is.......

There is but you know it will on the 17th March against England not in Paris

geoff998rugby wrote:There is but you know it will on the 17th March against England not in Paris

I'd never say I want my/our side to lose - that's humiliation to me - always is. Winning matters and I want them to win for us, for themselves and even for Kidney and his fellow coaches. I'd love if Kidney had the majic wand. But winning means so much to me, especially in an 'Ireland' context, that I'm too tired to hope for our one game this year - England was never it for me anyway - the one next week is.

But I simply and openly just want regime change now - fastest way possible. Too many good players are being tranished with an increasingly bad international image now. They are better than what happened yesterday, they deserve a better structure to prove it with. The time for one more redemptive game is over.