Ireland v Wales - a neutral's perspective

Cracking game, as it often is between these two teams. Well done to Wales. Controversies aside, i thought:

- Wales appear to have Ireland's number
- Wales played a pretty limited game very effectively. They have big ball carriers all across the pitch who smash it up, tie players in, ruck quickly and start again. That isn't meant to sounds derogatory, it;s not easy to do that well. England tried it for for about 3 years and we've been carp at it.
- Wales really are a massive side. Is there a bigger side in world rugby? The backs are monstrous but also pretty quick and agile.
- Wales can compete at the breakdown without Warburton. Their rucking has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years.
- Ireland seem to be worse than the some of their parts. I still think Kidney has struggled to fix an identity and merge the style of Munster and Leicester (and to a lesser extent Ulster)
- Heaslip looks back on form, Healy looked very good. But Wales have worked out how to combat Ireland's backrow. Hitting SOB before he gets a head of steam makes him almost completely ineffective.
- Ferris needs to be the best backrow on the pitch to be the best player in the world. He wasn't, but looked decent.
- Ireland, much like England could do with a genuine openside. If not, the backrow needs to work better as a unit. They've done it before but seem to have backwards here.
- Ireland's midfield is not physical enough and doesn't offer enough defensively or in attack without BOD (not a huge revelation)
- Ireland's scrum was OK. I don't think either team looked destructive here.
- Both teams regularly went off their feet at the ruck, much like Scotland and England yesterday.

Just my thoughts, i don;t think anything particularly controversial. I think both teams will beat England.

Wow, i guess everyone agrees with me

I am not sure what you mean by limited game.

They played a balanced and patient game.

I thought the Irish had a better pack - I would say one of the best back rows in the world.

The Welsh had the better backs and without BOD the Irish backline were just out muscled and brushed aside.

As a neutral it's disappointing the Irish didn't win

biltongbek wrote:I am not sure what you mean by limited game.

They played a balanced and patient game.

Maybe i've been a little harsh. I think what i was trying to get across is that their game is more bludgeon than rapier. There's a nice balance between taking it up with the forwards and using the backs, but i don't think the backline, particularly the centres, showed a huge amount of guile. It was generally over the man rather than around him. As i say, not a criticism.

Sorry, bud, but I disagree with you. In my opinion since the world cup Davies and Roberts has been a very good combination.

Again today roberts was used as the battering ram and Davies with his agility was brilliant running into space and collecting offloads.

In my opinion a very good center pairing.

wales couldnt kick and couldnt throw the line out- however they looked dangerous and i never doubted they would win that game- even when there were down. george north ,halfpennhy and davies looked immense to me.

ieland played there part in the game, sexton kicked well, however did they kick to much when in possesion, didnt quite seem like a unit, although run in a couple of nice tries

as an english supporter i understand how that feels for sure

Hood83 wrote:

biltongbek wrote:I am not sure what you mean by limited game.

They played a balanced and patient game.

Maybe i've been a little harsh. I think what i was trying to get across is that their game is more bludgeon than rapier. There's a nice balance between taking it up with the forwards and using the backs, but i don't think the backline, particularly the centres, showed a huge amount of guile. It was generally over the man rather than around him. As i say, not a criticism.

Limited...... did you watch the game??

Priestland Davies North 1/2p just sublime movement and even more skillful handling, even Ryan Jones (just an amazing chip) and Warburton made some superb movement running around the opponents ............... and you said they were bludgeon

Trainee WUM methinks

ps well done Wales ........ tough call for us next week bit twitchy now

Anyone want to take bets that Gatland delays his team announcement for some reason?

Scotland next up is a big game for both sides. Scotland are good enough to steal a lineouts and their scrum should go fine. On top of that their outside backs have a bit more of a mean edge to them compared to Ireland. They have to start scroing tries eventually I just hope its not against us. Should be a good game.

Alex_Germany wrote:I thought the Irish had a better pack - I would say one of the best back rows in the world.

The Welsh had the better backs and without BOD the Irish backline were just out muscled and brushed aside.

As a neutral it's disappointing the Irish didn't win

The irish Back row may be touted as one of the best in the world but only Heaslip really showed any form. Ferris was good in glimpses and O'Brien wasn't his usual self. I thought our forwards especially in the breakdown did very well.

And may i ask why as a neutral it was disappointing the Irish didn't win ? Because they're Irish perhaps? Everyone loves the Irish i suppose.
I thought we played the more attractive/positive brand of rugby

TycroesOsprey wrote:Anyone want to take bets that Gatland delays his team announcement for some reason?

Scotland next up is a big game for both sides. Scotland are good enough to steal a lineouts and their scrum should go fine. On top of that their outside backs have a bit more of a mean edge to them compared to Ireland. They have to start scroing tries eventually I just hope its not against us. Should be a good game.

Tycroes mate.............. good game for you guys

We cannae make as many mistakes, knockons etc as we did against England. Also I think yoou'll see a different half back pairing starting against you.

Not confident tho.................. ps I am sure you should rest North Davies Priestland ............... Bring in Hook to start please

biltongbek wrote:Sorry, bud, but I disagree with you. In my opinion since the world cup Davies and Roberts has been a very good combination.

Again today roberts was used as the battering ram and Davies with his agility was brilliant running into space and collecting offloads.

In my opinion a very good center pairing.

I wouldn't disagree with this at all, an excellent partnership. My only point is is that is more smash than dash. Nothing wrong with that. I do think if teams can match them physically it may struggle to break down top defences (it's a big if). The real test will be France. Both Fofana and Rougerie are big units and could match Roberts and JD. They are also pretty rapid and elusive for big men.

Fofana isn't the biggest fella I could see Roberts and Davies targeting him. But Roberts and Davies will have to watch out for him running around them!

flyhalffactory wrote:

Hood83 wrote:

biltongbek wrote:I am not sure what you mean by limited game.

They played a balanced and patient game.

Maybe i've been a little harsh. I think what i was trying to get across is that their game is more bludgeon than rapier. There's a nice balance between taking it up with the forwards and using the backs, but i don't think the backline, particularly the centres, showed a huge amount of guile. It was generally over the man rather than around him. As i say, not a criticism.

Limited...... did you watch the game??

Priestland Davies North 1/2p just sublime movement and even more skillful handling, even Ryan Jones (just an amazing chip) and Warburton made some superb movement running around the opponents ............... and you said they were bludgeon

Trainee WUM methinks

ps well done Wales ........ tough call for us next week bit twitchy now

Honestly not a WUM, re-reading the post i can see it may come across that way. I thought Wales played very well. The handling was excellent, support lines and offloading were top draw. My only point was you have a midfield that is set up to mainly crash it up then offload. JD's try being a case in point. It's not easy to do that and it was exceptional play. I do however think it is growing into a back-line that has more options, and i think it will need to against stronger midfield pairings. Australia have twice dealt fairly well with your backline - i think if Wales are to regularly challenge the SH teams ( i think they look the most likely to, and i genuinely hope they do) i think your midfield may need a bit more variety. That could mean bringing Halfpenny into the game more as i think he's an excellent runner.

'Limited' was a poor choice of words. Well played, very impressive performance particularly with Warburton off and a 2nd string 2nd row!

gowales wrote:Fofana isn't the biggest fella I could see Roberts and Davies targeting him. But Roberts and Davies will have to watch out for him running around them!

Yeah they listed him as being 17stone! Not sure about that, but that pretty much sums up my point.

gowales wrote:

And may i ask why as a neutral it was disappointing the Irish didn't win ? Because they're Irish perhaps? Everyone loves the Irish i suppose.
I thought we played the more attractive/positive brand of rugby

The Irish seem to select nice, level headed players, and I've always found their supporters gracious in victory and defeat. (South Africans are similarly nice - though their game went through a phase of being based on brutality till about 2003).

Good game with some top tries. Wales were better overall but it could've been either way. Davies tip tackle was a red without a doubt, ferris pen did seem soft but I can see why the ref gave it.

It was a good game. If I was a neutral I would have enjoyed it. Ireland v Wales is nearly always good to watch. Last years 6 Nations match was the anomaly. A very poor game. But even it had a big talking point.

[quote="Alex_Germany"]I thought the Irish had a better pack - I would say one of the best back rows in the world.

Don't think anyone had the upper hand in the pack. Thought Wales were the better in the first, Ireland in the second but the packs were well matched, will be a force for any side this year. Man for man they have a good back row, but it's not balanced and it's costing them games. You cannot play international rugby without a natural 7. Tipuric came on today for Warbs and like many other welsh supporters I was worried. But he was superb at the breakdown because he knows what to do on the floor, whereas the Irish are playing with two sixes and a no.8. No balance and needs to change.