Wales vs Ireland - Six Nations

Date - Saturday 2nd February 2013, KO 13:30
Venue - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Wales

Coverage - Watch live on BBC One NI, BBC One HD
Internet - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/
Radio - BBC Radio Ulster
Replay the Game - BBC iPlayer

Wales Team

15 L Halfpenny
14 A Cuthbert
13 J Davies
12 J Roberts
11 G North
10 D Biggar
09 M Phillips
01 G Jenkins
02 M Rees
03 A Jones
04 A Coombs
05 I Evans
06 A Shingler
08 T Faletau
07 S Warburton (capt)

Replacements

16 K Owens
17 C Mitchell
18 P James
19 O Kohn
20 J Tipuric
21 L Williams
22 S Williams
23 J Hook


Ireland Team

01 Cian Healy
02 Rory Best
03 Mike Ross
03 Donnacha Ryan
05 Mike McCarthy
06 Peter O'Mahony
07 Sean O'Brien
08 Jamie Heaslip (c)
09 Conor Murray
10 Jonathan Sexton
11 Simon Zebo
12 Gordon Darcy
13 Brian O'Driscoll
14 Craig Gilroy
15 Rob Kearney

Replacements

16 Sean Cronin
17 Dave Kilcoyne
18 Declan Fitzpatrick
19 Donnacha O'Callaghan
20 Chris Henry
21 Eoin Reddan
22 Ronan O'Gara
23 Keith Earls



TOURNAMENT RECORD

MATCH FACTS

HEAD-TO-HEAD
These two nations have clashed on 118 occasions since 1882. Wales have 65 wins; Ireland 47.

Wales have won their last three Tests against Ireland; two in the Six Nations, one at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Since 1985 Ireland have won 10 and drawn one in Cardiff, with Wales picking up just two wins.

Legendary Irish fly-half Ronan O'Gara has scored 100 points in 14 appearances against Wales. O'Gara and centre Brian
O'Driscoll are the record caps holders for Ireland against Wales.

WALES

Have lost their last seven games, their worst run since 2003 (when they lost 10 on the spin).
Should Ireland win this fixture, Wales would have lost five consecutive home games for the first time in their history (they lost four at home during that 10-defeat run back in 2003).
Have scored just seven tries in their last seven matches.
The Wales pack retained possession at 96% of their own put-ins during last season's Six Nations. However, they did win just 22 scrums across the whole tournament - fewer than any other side.
Alex Cuthbert made seven clean breaks in last season's Six Nations, more than any other player.

IRELAND

Prior to the win over Argentina in their final match of 2012 Ireland had lost five straight Tests, scoring just two tries in the process (this excludes XV versus Fiji). It was their worst run since 1998.
Ireland were top points scorers in last year's Six Nations, racking up 121 in total (an average of over 24 per match). This included 13 tries, the most they had scored in the competition since 2007.


Games played between Ireland and Wales: 118 18.13%
Games won by Wales: 65 55.08%
Games lost by Wales: 47 39.83%
Games drawn: 6 5.08%

Most wins in a row for Wales over Ireland: 5

Most wins in a row for Ireland over Wales: 5

Average Pts Per Game 13

Heaviest Defeat 3rd of Feb 2002 Ireland 54 - 10 Wales

Recent Record between Ireland and Wales

2012 - Ireland 21-23 Wales
2011 - Ireland 10-22 Wales (RWC)
2011 - Wales 19-13 Ireland
2010 - Ireland 27-12 Wales
2009 - Wales 15-17 Ireland
2008 - Ireland 12-16 Wales

Is that heaviest defeat bit right,I don't think we ever won by that much?

Sorry mistake made there....

Largest score against Wales by Ireland

(The most points that Wales have had scored against them by Ireland is 54)

03 Feb 2002 Ireland 54 - 10 Wales

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2002/feb/04/sixnationsrugby2002.rugbyunion4

Ireland Team about to be announced at 13:30 the link is live right now...!

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/live_streaming.php

Sorry Welsh fans I may just have jinxed your team. Throughout the Autumn on these polls I voted for Wales to win. At home I feel they should win this one as well so have voted accordingly.

LondonTiger wrote:Sorry Welsh fans I may just have jinxed your team. Throughout the Autumn on these polls I voted for Wales to win. At home I feel they should win this one as well so have voted accordingly.

If that's the case Tiger you'll be number 2 in line after Howley

LondonTiger wrote:Sorry Welsh fans I may just have jinxed your team. Throughout the Autumn on these polls I voted for Wales to win. At home I feel they should win this one as well so have voted accordingly.

There is a vote cancelling option there mate... It would be appreciated if you used it as we need all the luck we can get right now...

Yeah was pretty sure we hadn't nilled Wales in any of our big wins.

I think the Irish team is being announced at half 1 so expect this thread to kick off around the time Kidney announces the 2nd rows.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Yeah was pretty sure we hadn't nilled Wales in any of our big wins.

I think the Irish team is being announced at half 1 so expect this thread to kick off around the time Kidney announces the 2nd rows.

Ha ha ha

Live stream link here for you


http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/live_streaming.php


There will be a number of points of contention in this team, lock, centre, wing are all hot debate.

441 matches in about 120 years didn't know we played Wales that much??

I'm waiting to see who Wales have fit before I vote. I don't know why, with Howlers in charge.

Thats a good call. I am not surprised that Ireland a favourites for this game on the poll or in the media.

Lock? Little contention McCarthy & Ryan
Centre? Darcy & O'Driscoll. No chance BOD will be left out. Little chance he will be moved to 12. No one else with a big enough claim to oust Darcy from 12 at the moment.
Wing? A little bit more debateable but with the return of Kearney to full back and Trimble being cut I expect Gilroy and Zebo to start. The only caveat to this is the retention of Fitzgerald. Having left Fitz at home for the world cup this selection at least demonstrates that Deco is not playing favourites. However Fitzgerald starting on the wing could not be justified over Trimble. I expect if he is in the squad it will be because he offers more versatility off the bench.
This leads to the first of the only two real areas of debate.
Utility back on the bench? One from Earls, McFadden and Fitz. I think it will be between Earls and McFadden with Earls getting the nod.
Which leaves the back row. Shoot out between Henry and O’Mahony. I would go with Henry. Think Deco will go the other way.

The team I expect
1 Healy
2. Best
3. Ross
4. Ryan
5. McCarthy
6. POM (fingers crossed for Henry)
7. SOB
8. Heaslip
9. Murray
10. Sexton
11. Zebo
12. Darcy
13. BOD
14 Gilroy
15. Kearney

16. Kilcoyne
17. Cronin
18. Bent (Wish it was Fitzpatrick but they’ll have to stick with Bent for a while)
19. DOC
20. Henry
21. Reddan
22. O’Gara
23. Earls (Could be McFadden. Both excellent options)

no Henry

no great surprises there then...

Henry on the bench - get lost Declan.

Ireland

Healy
Best
Ross
McCarthy
Ryan
POM
SOB
Heaslip Captain

Kearney
Gilroy
BOD
Darcy
Zebo
Sexton
Murray

Ok I haven't see as much of Peter O'Mahony, as I have of Henry.

Do Munster fans think he has done enough to displace Henry from the team and move SOB from 6 to 7.

BBC seamed to think Henry was near a sure thing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21236821
"It may be less than a week before his likely Six Nations debut for Ireland against Wales"

Esp as after the Argentina game DK said ""I thought Chris Henry was exceptional today"

So being exceptional on your last test, being outstanding for your Province, and a man-of-the-match display for Ulster in a win away to Castres, in the last game before the test, and you lose your shirt!!!

like I said I haven't seen enough of Peter O'Mahony to judge, but he has to bee in some amazing run of form for DK to pick him ahead of henry, and move SoB to his less effective side.

That back division could be awesome if it clicks.

Kingshu wrote:Ok I haven't see as much of Peter O'Mahony, as I have of Henry.

Do Munster fans think he has done enough to displace Henry from the team and move SOB from 6 to 7.

BBC seamed to think Henry was near a sure thing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21236821
"It may be less than a week before his likely Six Nations debut for Ireland against Wales"

Esp as after the Argentina game DK said ""I thought Chris Henry was exceptional today"

So being exceptional on your last test, being outstanding for your Province, and a man-of-the-match display for Ulster in a win away to Castres, in the last game before the test, and you lose your shirt!!!

like I said I haven't seen enough of Peter O'Mahony to judge, but he has to bee in some amazing run of form for DK to pick him ahead of henry, and move SoB to his less effective side.

Kidney is an assclown.

Artful_Dodger wrote: Kidney is an assclown.

but can you smell what hes cooking?

I dont know about cooking but he's certainly stirring the pot

This may be simplistic, but then rugby is a simple game - it will be won or lost at 7 & 8.

If Heaslip and O'Brien carry and 'make yards' then it's Ireland's game. If Warburton and Faletau (presumably) contain them then unless Wales fall apart (which is very possible, we're still Wales) they should have enough power in the backs to grind out the win.

Very happy O'Brien is at 7 and not 6.

Sigh, same old same old from Mr. Potatohead.

Best scrummager left out
Form backrow and only geniune 7 on the bench
Form wing and only real physical threat in our 3/4 left out
ROG and DOC still in the squad

When D'arcy gets subbed after 65 I wonder who will come on for him now? ROG or Earls?

Wales just might be that little bit worse for us to win this... then again probably not...

the-goon wrote:Sigh, same old same old from Mr. Potatohead.

Best scrummager left out
Form backrow and only geniune 7 on the bench
Form wing and only real physical threat in our 3/4 left out
ROG and DOC still in the squad

When D'arcy gets subbed after 65 I wonder who will come on for him now? ROG or Earls?

Wales just might be that little bit worse for us to win this... then again probably not...

You can safely assume that Wales are going to struggle in the second row. AWJ, Charteris and Davies out, possibly Evans and Ryan Jones too.

Front rows are in shape only man out is third choice TH Jarvis, so not a big worry there.

Just selection is the issue...

Ten, centre back three, backrow in fact all over the team we could see players picked that the fans dont think are the form selections.

Realisitically we could put out a good side, Howley and the coaches might perform minor miracles.

We just don't know.

Ulster winger Craig Gilroy will make his first Six Nations start for Ireland in Saturday's opening game of the 2013 tournament against Wales in Cardiff.

The 21-year-old won his first cap in the November win over Argentina. Leinster's Sean O'Brien is back at flanker so Chris Henry is named on the bench despite recent impressive form.

Full-back Rob Kearney returns after missing the autumn internationals and Brian O'Driscoll is restored to centre for what could be his last Six Nations.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has named Munster's Simon Zebo on the left wing, so Gilroy moves to the right in place of the injured Tommy Bowe.
Exciting prospect Gilroy scored a try when he won his first Ireland cap in the important autumn Test win over Argentina.

Earlier in the year the Belfast-born 21-year-old played in non-capped matches against the Barbarians and Fiji.

Gilroy's impressive performance against Argentina seems to have sealed his place in the Ireland squad at the expense of Ulster team-mate Andrew Trimble, who is one short of his 50th international cap.

O'Driscoll, after being replaced as captain by Jamie Heaslip, will partner his Leinster team-mate Gordon D'Arcy at centre for a record 48th time.
Rob Kearney forms an exciting back three with Gilroy and Zebo with Keith Earls having to be content with a place on the bench.

"It was a tight call because there's so much competition. Fergus McFadden and Keith Earls have been playing well, so it's testament to the way Craig and Simon have been playing that they're selected," said Kidney.

The Ireland coach appeared to acknowledge that in-form Henry was unlucky to miss out on the open-side flanker spot with fit-again O'Brien instead starting at number seven and Munster's Peter O'Mahony given the number six shirt.
O'Mahony's selection came shortly before the announcement that he had signed a contract extension with Munster which will keep him with the Irish province until the summer of 2015.

There had been speculation that O'Brien might have been switched to number six which would have allowed Henry, impressive against Argentina in November, to have remained at open-side.

"We felt that in terms of a mix in the back row this was the best combination, but there was certainly plenty to talk about following Chris' performances in the autumn," Kidney added.

Ireland will fancy their chances of getting their Six Nations campaign off on the right foot by beating a Welsh side which has lost seven Test matches in a row.
Leigh Halfpenny's last-gasp penalty snatched a remarkable win for Wales at the Aviva Stadium last year.

Casartelli wrote:

Very happy O'Brien is at 7 and not 6.

It makes no difference really what number is on his back. Heaslip and POM will be doing a lot of the hard work in the ruck etc. and O'Brien will do more carrying.

The thing about losing streaks unfortunately is that they have to end some time.

Submachine wrote:The thing about losing streaks unfortunately is that they have to end some time.

Unfortunate for one side not for the other eh...!

Henry is blatantly the form 7 in Europe, never mind Ireland. I feel a bit disgusted. Part of me hopes Ireland get mauled so we can hurry up and get Kidney out.

I see Peter O'Mahony just signed a central contract before he was selected ahead of Ireland's best backrow. How convenient.

JmD wrote:Henry is blatantly the form 7 in Europe, never mind Ireland.

Can't disagree there. He and Ulster have been exceptional this season.

Surprising to see only 2 Ulster players in the team and one on the bench.

http://kidneyclock.net/

Almost there.

Artful_Dodger wrote:http://kidneyclock.net/

Almost there.

Ouch

Artful_Dodger wrote:http://kidneyclock.net/

Almost there.

Dodger, haven't you heard. Three wins and Kidders gets a new contract... So don't be getting your hopes up....

"Henry is blatantly the form 7 in Europe" -- Has he played better than Tipuric? I don't think so.

Submachine wrote:The thing about losing streaks unfortunately is that they have to end some time.

Are you taking about irelands losing streak v wales or Wales' losing streak against everyone. One of them will definitely come to an end......


.........unless its a draw.

JmD wrote:I see Peter O'Mahony just signed a central contract before he was selected ahead of Ireland's best backrow. How convenient.

I agree. Dont understand the POM inclusion. Is it quota based inclusion? He isnt a physical as Henry, he isnt as good in the loose as Henry and gives away lots of penalties.

Strange.

GunsGerms wrote:

JmD wrote:I see Peter O'Mahony just signed a central contract before he was selected ahead of Ireland's best backrow. How convenient.

I agree. Dont understand the POM inclusion. Is it quota based inclusion? He isnt a physical as Henry, he isnt as good in the loose as Henry and gives away lots of penalties.

Strange.

Apparently Henry tops the "give away penalties" list in the Heineken Cup this season."

Looking at the Ireland team,

Gilroy and Zebo are potentially lethal, however, neither are the best defender, Wales have to use North and Cuthbert out in the open channels and look to smash the Irish winger.

Equally, our midfield will be larger, and as happened last year, we can look to crash though Darcy and the Irish winger to made ground.

Kearney will be a threat, but hasn't player much recently, but if he can get back his kick and catch he could expose halfpenny - if Lee Byrne starts it will be fascinating.

Don't know much about McCarthy, but POM hasn't impressed me at all this season or the Irish summer/autumn games. Ireland could well still have the edge in the pack, but we will have to see what second row/6 Wales play. I am certainly glad it is not O'Connell and Ferris we are facing.

Murray has been a bit hit and miss, whereas Spikey really enjoys playing the Irish (3 tries from the last 3 games I think), from a Welsh perspective I hope Phillips is at his best and can dominate Murray and give Biggar a platform.

Sexton is the Lions 10 already, but I don't think he will enjoy coming up against Dan Biggar - Biggar has a bit of a hoodoo over Sexton after the 2 Pro12 finals. From a Welsh point of view, we need Biggar to get acclimatized early and play like he is playing for the O's

DOC, Cronin and Henry on the bench will bring a lot of power onto the field. We will have to wait to see where Hibbard is for Wales, and we may be able to bring on some better props than Ireland, but their back5 replacements are bound to be strong with Wales' injury problems.


It will be close...but at home, and with a more powerful midfield (assuming Roberts/JD/North/Cuthbert play like they are playing for Wales rather than their regiosn) I think Wales should edge it. Halfpenny's boot to be crucial

I voted Wales for the win. I definitely have my optimist head on again after it being mentally ravaged after 4 close losses to OZ.

I love the fact that henry is starting. I dont rate O'Mahony at all. Always pulling the angry face and giving it the big'en. Hope warbs does a number on him.

If Wales play Tupuric and Warbs I think we will have the better at the breakdown. I think the criticism of Warbs has been unjust recently. He has won turnovers and has been doing alot of carrying which I believe he is underrated at.

When he carries, he very rarely gets turned over or loses the ball.

I hope Wales lee byrne at full back as he is better under the high ball than halfpenny and I think his defensive positioning and lines from full-back are still slightly better.

I'd drop north to the bench and bring him on at 60 minutes with byrne off and halfers going to full back.

Interesting stat on scrum v. Most tries are scored from a series of play starting from the lineout.

I think if wales had a pack consisting of; James, Hibbard, Jones, Kohn, Evans/Jones, Warbs, Tupuric and faletau this would give them a good number of options in the line-out.

When we get this right wales will score tries with there quick & powerful runners.

Warburton to start at 6, Tips 7 according to some Blues people

wales606 wrote:Warburton to start at 6, Tips 7 according to some Blues people

I would be happy with that. Tupuric offers more in the loose which will help our forwards and backs link better. I think whereas our forwards have been more physical recently we have lacked that link. Phillips is a forward.

We are lacking quality 9's. A strength in the past. With Foutoualii leaving i hope Webb can really come on.

GunsGerms wrote:

JmD wrote:I see Peter O'Mahony just signed a central contract before he was selected ahead of Ireland's best backrow. How convenient.

I agree. Dont understand the POM inclusion. Is it quota based inclusion? He isnt a physical as Henry, he isnt as good in the loose as Henry and gives away lots of penalties.

Strange.

For the record I think Henry should start but I disagree with those statements.

IMO players don't come any more physical than POM - he is the definition of abrasiveness.
Much quicker than Henry and more of a ball-carrying threat, so I'd say he's better in the loose, although Henry makes more tackles.
They're both back-row forwards, of course they'll give away penalties.

Henry and POM are more in form than SOB and Heaslip, not that the latter two haven't played well for Leinster, but Henry and POM have been stand-outs in the HEC for me, and I've watched a good bit of Ulster and Munster this year.

I would have picked Henry but in fairness it was a close decision and if we're going to slate Deccie, we may as well do it after we prove him wrong. POM is younger and is probably the next captain, and he may be part of a strategy to attack Wales' lineout.

Either way I think this back row will be more effective than the rather one-dimensional trio of Ferris, O'Brien and Heaslip.

I think most should wait until the Wales team is announced before predicting an Ireland win. If Ryan Jones (for me he should be at 6) and Ian Evans are available to the match-day squad I reckon the advantage goes back to us. I'm hoping that Kohn starts, we'll need the ball carrying abilities with that Ireland back-row running around. I think Wales will put out the better backs, and our bench will be better than you think, certainly with the front-row options. Henry should be at 7, I agree with some of you there. Shame you ain't got Wallace these days. I remember the Ireland back-row being nigh-on-unstoppable when he was at 7. I also don't see what DOC and ROG add to the 23 right now. If I was Munsterman I would be worried for O'Gara's health should he step onto the field of play.

wales606 wrote:Warburton to start at 6, Tips 7 according to some Blues people

If so then it is fundamental that Kohn and Phillips (he will start) start for Wales. Do you think Faletau fits in well with that back-row though?

Morgannwg wrote:

wales606 wrote:Warburton to start at 6, Tips 7 according to some Blues people

If so then it is fundamental that Kohn and Phillips (he will start) start for Wales. Do you think Faletau fits in well with that back-row though?

JUst to chip in morg. I would like a real heavy front 5 with kohn and evans 2nd row. James , hibbard and jones starting.

WE could hammer the ireland scrum.

GunsGerms wrote:

JmD wrote:I see Peter O'Mahony just signed a central contract before he was selected ahead of Ireland's best backrow. How convenient.

I agree. Dont understand the POM inclusion. Is it quota based inclusion? He isnt a physical as Henry, he isnt as good in the loose as Henry and gives away lots of penalties.

Strange.

I entirely disagree with both of those two points, as POM has been immensely physical this season. That may be due to putting on a stone in weight this season. He is also a fantastic ball carrier, and very clever with ball in hand also. However, not including Henry is ridiculous. He has been exceptional. I am not sure Kidney has actually taken provincial form into consideration at all.

wales606 wrote:Looking at the Ireland team,

Gilroy and Zebo are potentially lethal, however, neither are the best defender, Wales have to use North and Cuthbert out in the open channels and look to smash the Irish winger.

Equally, our midfield will be larger, and as happened last year, we can look to crash though Darcy and the Irish winger to made ground.

Kearney will be a threat, but hasn't player much recently, but if he can get back his kick and catch he could expose halfpenny - if Lee Byrne starts it will be fascinating.

Don't know much about McCarthy, but POM hasn't impressed me at all this season or the Irish summer/autumn games. Ireland could well still have the edge in the pack, but we will have to see what second row/6 Wales play. I am certainly glad it is not O'Connell and Ferris we are facing.

Murray has been a bit hit and miss, whereas Spikey really enjoys playing the Irish (3 tries from the last 3 games I think), from a Welsh perspective I hope Phillips is at his best and can dominate Murray and give Biggar a platform.

Sexton is the Lions 10 already, but I don't think he will enjoy coming up against Dan Biggar - Biggar has a bit of a hoodoo over Sexton after the 2 Pro12 finals. From a Welsh point of view, we need Biggar to get acclimatized early and play like he is playing for the O's

DOC, Cronin and Henry on the bench will bring a lot of power onto the field. We will have to wait to see where Hibbard is for Wales, and we may be able to bring on some better props than Ireland, but their back5 replacements are bound to be strong with Wales' injury problems.


It will be close...but at home, and with a more powerful midfield (assuming Roberts/JD/North/Cuthbert play like they are playing for Wales rather than their regiosn) I think Wales should edge it. Halfpenny's boot to be crucial

Agree with may of those points especially the obvious size difference in the backlines although that could be an advantage for either team, but probably Wales to be honest.
Not sure if these h2h's really matter, the opposition back row will disrupt a 10 more than his opposite 10.

Totally understand that you don't rate Murray, but he is much improved this season and will set up a better platform for Sexton hopefully, which is massively crucial to the Irish attack, as Irish fans have been waiting too long for a decent scrum-half to unleash Sexton's potential.

From what I've seen POM has been Munster's best player this season so I am unsure why you find him so unimpressive, although a lack of a genuine 7 could seriously hurt us when you possess two of them.

From an Irish perspective I am relatively optimistic since due to your injury list we probably have a better team man for man but the main concern for us is the scrum. Healy-Best-Ross-McCarthy-Ryan is quite a dynamic front five but not necessarily the biggest.