Wales vs Ireland - Six Nations

First topic message reminder :

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

maestegmafia wrote:Looks like Biggar has won the flyhalf race...

That's probably what Howley made them do - "Go on you 2 first to the posts and back is in"

RubyGuby wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Looks like Biggar has won the flyhalf race...

That's probably what Howley made them do - "Go on you 2 first to the posts and back is in"

Brilliant image Ruby!

Now for the 2nd rows - "right you 4, Kohn, Evans, Coombs and you, what's yer name? - Run to the end of the pitch, 20 pressups, 15 sit-ups run back up here and the first 2 to touch the cross bar with both hands at the same time is in against Ireland ......... no, not yet, wait on your marks get set, GO"

"Phiilips, Tavis, Lloyd get ready - I want to see who can pass the furthest"

Honestly, I think Coombsy will do a job for us (if the rumours are true). If you play decent in the Dragons front five, you must be a tidy player. I wouldn't mind him there, but I know that people will be watching Coombsy like a hawk and probably be overly critical to him.

I am starting to get the feeling we will win (blind optimism), but I still think it's Ireland's game. I guess it depends what Howler picks.

The old Welsh blind optimism.
We all suffer with it. I have to admit the closer it's getting the more I think we'll win.

GunsGerms wrote:Its crazy that kearney hasnt been primed as a second/long range kicker. Very near sighted by both Ireland and leinster management. Drives me mad. He has a massive boot and is very accurate. No reason why he couldnt do as good a job as 1/2p does for Wales.

What he said.

McFadden, when playing, has that in his arsenal. Fairly reliable kicker.

overlordofthewest wrote:The old Welsh blind optimism.
We all suffer with it. I have to admit the closer it's getting the more I think we'll win.

I could be so negative all week pal, but come game day I'll have no doubts. NZ is the worst, as we have no reason to be confident, but I always think we will win on game day.

I'd be pretty confident if I was Welsh given what Ireland have served up in the last three meetings. The crucial thing is not much has changed in the Irish gameplan, and the indications are not much is going to change. So it's not like Wales have to re-invent the wheel to do a job on us. They mainly have to do what they've done before.

I guess the massive thing for Wales in this game is how the lineout adapts. Ireland would pride themselves on having a pretty good defensive lineout and you've obviously lost a lot of personnel.

But I seriously worry about our ability to keep the scrum steady for 80 minutes. The selection of Kilcoyne is worrying for me, one of a few selections I groaned about, because it's like they think he can come on and do some damage with his ball carrying in the last 15. He's probably going to have to come on and keep his side of the scrum up, as is Fitzpatrick who has barely played any rugby going into this match. I'd imagine we'll be targeted there and as much as the starting front row is ok, the reserves are less impressive.

And in sacrificing our best groundhog backrower for an extra ball carrier, there would be big worries in my mind that we could lose out at the breakdown too.

Risca Rev wrote:

overlordofthewest wrote:The old Welsh blind optimism.
We all suffer with it. I have to admit the closer it's getting the more I think we'll win.

I could be so negative all week pal, but come game day I'll have no doubts. NZ is the worst, as we have no reason to be confident, but I always think we will win on game day.

+1

Now that,, is why I have loved the 5-N and 6-N for so long. The complete uncertainty of it all. The renewed hope. The belief returns. Its all to play for. y When Welsh regional players put on that red shirt. At home. It all changes.

4 teams could win it. The other 2 (Scotland & Italy) will most possibly decide who doesn't win it. 1st game is so vital. Remember last year?

Basterds!

I love the 6-N. Next Friday will be like the Night before Christmas.

I do Gibbo pal. I was at war and it cheered me up a bit. Then you wouldn't begrudge us a win, but now is different

Good post Notch.

Notch wrote:I'd be pretty confident if I was Welsh given what Ireland have served up in the last three meetings. The crucial thing is not much has changed in the Irish gameplan, and the indications are not much is going to change. So it's not like Wales have to re-invent the wheel to do a job on us. They mainly have to do what they've done before.

I guess the massive thing for Wales in this game is how the lineout adapts. Ireland would pride themselves on having a pretty good defensive lineout and you've obviously lost a lot of personnel.

But I seriously worry about our ability to keep the scrum steady for 80 minutes. The selection of Kilcoyne is worrying for me, one of a few selections I groaned about, because it's like they think he can come on and do some damage with his ball carrying in the last 15. He's probably going to have to come on and keep his side of the scrum up, as is Fitzpatrick who has barely played any rugby going into this match. I'd imagine we'll be targeted there and as much as the starting front row is ok, the reserves are less impressive.

And in sacrificing our best groundhog backrower for an extra ball carrier, there would be big worries in my mind that we could lose out at the breakdown too.

In fairness, bar the world cup performance, Wales didn't serve up anything much better. A dodgy try and a dodgy penalty were the difference.

A combo of Court & Fitzpatrick would offer nothing around the pitch (thats if they even made it on in the first place).

Gibson wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Its crazy that kearney hasnt been primed as a second/long range kicker. Very near sighted by both Ireland and leinster management. Drives me mad. He has a massive boot and is very accurate. No reason why he couldnt do as good a job as 1/2p does for Wales.

What he said.

McFadden, when playing, has that in his arsenal. Fairly reliable kicker.

Old 'Splatt' McFadden, yes I remember him...

He really is an excellent, astute, writer, eh Rev? Always says what I'm thinking, but just too shy to say it.

Wales need a massive ego-boost. We may be that sacrificial lamb, if they fire and we don' t.

I reckon Sexton will be the differ. My boy is all grown up and is leaving home.

Although, he may have a 6-N Champions medal is his pocket to keep him warm. BOD wants one even more. Ominous. As do the rest of the pished off Leinster players. Add some cockey Noordies and Boggers and we have the mix to do it.

I think we'll win the SLAM.


Believe.

Risca Rev wrote:I do Gibbo pal. I was at war and it cheered me up a bit. Then you wouldn't begrudge us a win, but now is different

Good post Notch.

Rev, I don't even need to say it, mo chara.

But, remember one thing pal, Sexton Always Succeeds.

Sin é wrote:

Notch wrote:I'd be pretty confident if I was Welsh given what Ireland have served up in the last three meetings. The crucial thing is not much has changed in the Irish gameplan, and the indications are not much is going to change. So it's not like Wales have to re-invent the wheel to do a job on us. They mainly have to do what they've done before.

I guess the massive thing for Wales in this game is how the lineout adapts. Ireland would pride themselves on having a pretty good defensive lineout and you've obviously lost a lot of personnel.

But I seriously worry about our ability to keep the scrum steady for 80 minutes. The selection of Kilcoyne is worrying for me, one of a few selections I groaned about, because it's like they think he can come on and do some damage with his ball carrying in the last 15. He's probably going to have to come on and keep his side of the scrum up, as is Fitzpatrick who has barely played any rugby going into this match. I'd imagine we'll be targeted there and as much as the starting front row is ok, the reserves are less impressive.

And in sacrificing our best groundhog backrower for an extra ball carrier, there would be big worries in my mind that we could lose out at the breakdown too.

In fairness, bar the world cup performance, Wales didn't serve up anything much better. A dodgy try and a dodgy penalty were the difference.

A combo of Court & Fitzpatrick would offer nothing around the pitch (thats if they even made it on in the first place).

Deccie Fitz maybe, but Court has done his fair share of carrying for Ulster this season, and it would allow us to attack their scrum in the last 20 which would really be useful. To be fair Killer is probably going to come on and face Mitchell/Andrews so he can cope with that.

Glas a du wrote:

Gibson wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Its crazy that kearney hasnt been primed as a second/long range kicker. Very near sighted by both Ireland and leinster management. Drives me mad. He has a massive boot and is very accurate. No reason why he couldnt do as good a job as 1/2p does for Wales.

What he said.

McFadden, when playing, has that in his arsenal. Fairly reliable kicker.

Old 'Splatt' McFadden, yes I remember him...

Good ol Splatt Mcfadden bud. Ah, I remember him well. Sister was a roysh goer ja?

That'll be him.

Look out the Advocaat Queen is on live

This is the sway on the Welsh team

15 Halfpenny
14 Cuthbert
13 Foxy
12 Roberts
11 North
10 Biggar
9 Phillips

1 Jenkins
2 Rees
3 Adam
4 Coombs
5 Evans
6 Shingler
8 Toby
7 Warburton (c)

No word on bench yet.

No Coombs FFS Glas - you on the advocaat like those Leinster lightweights now

Here's a crazy idea. Wales are struggling for locks, and Ireland are expecting to pick us off in the lineout. The last Wales game v New Zealand (or was it Oz) we were losing our own lineout constantly as the back up locks really struggled.

Why not say 'sod it' to the lineout and put 2 more props in the second row! Has that ever been done before?! We can than either lift our flankers (Warbs is sometimes a jumper) or just go long every time. Best case: Warburton catches at the back of the lineout and the attack is on. Worst case he knocks it on or tries to force the knock on and our 5 props scrummage the Irish pack into giving away a penalty. Easy! We hardly ever contest the opposition lineout anyway, so no need for the tall traditional locks on opposition ball.

Would props in the 2nd row of the scrum make it an even stronger scrummaging scrum, if that makes sense?

Just put the 15 feckers in there like we did aganist NZ

That's not my team Guby, it's not guaranteed, but apparently from a decent source.

If that is the team I'll be very annoyed personally

Jenkins, Rees, no King or Jones.

Two rusty props, the second best hooker in Llanelli, an unknown and an idiot in the second row, a slimfast 6 & 8 and Warburton.

"Bring it on."

Best wait and see - I have visions of Howley tucked up in bed reading 606 and going eenie meenie miney mo through the squad

Casartelli wrote:Two rusty props, the second best hooker in Llanelli, an unknown and an idiot in the second row, a slimfast 6 & 8 and Warburton.

"Bring it on."

At least we have the maturity and composure of Phillips at 9 Those Irish boys love our Mike

WERE ALL DOOMED, IRELAND HAVE WON

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/30/andrew-coombs-set-for-shock-wales-start-against-ireland-91466-32714149/

Coombes, Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins and Aaron Shingler to start apparently.

Which I assume means no Hibbard, James, Ryan Jones, Tipuric, Kohn...basically, none of the players that have shown any regional/club form whatsoever, except Biggar.

RubyGuby wrote:Best wait and see - I have visions of Howley tucked up in bed reading 606 and going eenie meenie miney mo through the squad

No that's you

They must have shown up well in training

RubyGuby wrote:Just put the 15 feckers in there like we did aganist NZ

Love you long time, Shrink.

Love the 6-N man.We both do.

Believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2l2Se1wawI

The 28-year-old has received the nod after impressing stand-in coach Howley and other members of the Welsh management in training.

AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

The 28-year-old has received the nod after impressing stand-in coach Howley and other members of the Welsh management in training.

Read more: Wales Online http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/30/andrew-coombs-set-for-shock-wales-start-against-ireland-91466-32714149/#ixzz2JV2uttFz I fecking knew it - he did this in the AI's - I;ll watch the first 20 minutes if that's the case

Glas a du wrote:

The 28-year-old has received the nod after impressing stand-in coach Howley and other members of the Welsh management in training.

AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!!

Gav is far older than that, no?

I think this is all Howley's long term plan to always put Biggar at 10 when Wales' have the worst forward platform possible because of his hatred for Wales ever having a decent reliable flyhalf again.

Forgot about Biggar. Making his 6N debut in front of the biggest crowd of his life (even with all the empty seats). No pressure mate.

I'd predicted a draw, but if this team is confirmed Ireland will win by 12.

Gibson wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Just put the 15 feckers in there like we did aganist NZ

Love you long time, Shrink.

Love the 6-N man.We both do.

Believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2l2Se1wawI

Gibbo - I feel like my 6 year old did at Xmas only I dont think Im gonna enjoy it as much as he did. Howley is destroying us - Never coached in his life and put in charge of our crown jewels - only in Wales mate

The craic sounds good Master G and I often peruse your insightful comments on here along with the rest of the shoite that comes out of you - some funny posters on here lately - it makes it worthwhile. Henry aside Deccie has made the right calls - its now up to us to give you a game

L Halfpenny
A Cuthbert
J Davies
J Roberts
G North
D Biggar
M Phillips

G Jenkins
M Rees
A Jones
A Coombs
I Evans
A Shingler
T Faletau
S Warburton (capt).

Reps:
K Owens
C Mitchell
P James
O Kohn
Tipuric
L Williams
S Williams
Hook

That's hilarious Glas

Glas a du wrote:L Halfpenny
A Cuthbert
J Davies
J Roberts
G North
D Biggar
M Phillips

G Jenkins
M Rees
A Jones
A Coombs
I Evans
A Shingler
T Faletau
S Warburton (capt).

Reps:
K Owens
C Mitchell
P James
O Kohn
Tipuric
L Williams
S Williams
Hook

If that is the team, and Hibbard hasn't even made the bench then I predict Ireland by 10 - 20

Okay, now feeling slightly more confident about our chances... Evans is unfit and from all the aaarghing on here from the Welsh lads, Coombs is not a popular choice. Shingler is there for the lineout.

Jenkins isn't first choice, neither is Rees and both seem to have lost a bit of their infallibility as a unit alongside Jones. Scrum just came back into play then...

Shingler is a decent blindside but no Ryan Jones or Dan Lydiate, and won't have the same effect on the Irish backrow. Warbs is going to have to do a lot now to disrupt the back row of O'Mahoney, O'Brien, Heaslip.

Still huge backs so if they get any ball I'd be worried!

Ulsterman - If that is the side then Howley is committing rugby suicide and it will be his last game in charge - the fans wont stand for it - throughout the AI's he picked players who did well in training and feck all on the field. This would be remarkable if that team walked out.

If that is the team, and Hibbard hasn't even made the bench then I predict Ireland by 10 - 20

Jones and Hibbard were not considered due to not having recovered from injuries. Apparently.

That still does not excuse overlooking James and King

Maybe they've leaked a joking team as some sort of psychological bluff??? Hmmm? Is that a possibility?

Tomorrow they'll announce James, Hibbard, Kohn and Ryan in the starting line up and we can all look forward to the game again.

Is it?

RubyGuby wrote:Ulsterman - If that is the side then Howley is committing rugby suicide and it will be his last game in charge - the fans wont stand for it - throughout the AI's he picked players who did well in training and feck all on the field. This would be remarkable if that team walked out.

Ruby mate, for all our bickering as Irish fans, we usually only have one or two grievances about our teams, and they're usually either on the bench or 50:50 calls in positions we're strong in.

If that's the Wales team I'd be very surprised if Gatty stays away from Wales for much longer... Yes there's injuries, but ignoring lads like Hibbard, James, King, Tipuric, Kohn who've all been playing well for the regions/clubs is truly suicidal... I'm properly shocked Hibbard isn't starting, last few games for the O's he's been one of their stand outs, as has Tipuric!

And Kohn and Tipuric - Coombs is 6 ft 4 ins and has spent most of his time in the premiership? Kohn is ??????????????

Glas a du wrote:

If that is the team, and Hibbard hasn't even made the bench then I predict Ireland by 10 - 20

Jones and Hibbard were not considered due to not having recovered from injuries. Apparently.

That still does not excuse overlooking James and King

Not to mention Tipuric

Tipuric is just as good a lineout option as Shingler. I would have much rather seen Warbs and Tips both on the field against that Irish backrow.

Our backrow is lightweight although quick, and our second row is going to be very weak with Coombes and Evans who hasn't played since the autumn.

Do Ireland fancy a game of 7s instead? But since it is in the Millenium, we set the rules, so Gilroy and Zebo have to play with their leg strapped together.

Casartelli wrote:Maybe they've leaked a joking team as some sort of psychological bluff??? Hmmm? Is that a possibility?

Tomorrow they'll announce James, Hibbard, Kohn and Ryan in the starting line up and we can all look forward to the game again.

Is it?

Are you married? If not I'll blydi marry you if you are right.

However Howley is in Howell's pocket and vice versa. I think this is accurate

Even my blind optimism is starting to fail me.

Casartelli wrote:Maybe they've leaked a joking team as some sort of psychological bluff??? Hmmm? Is that a possibility?

Tomorrow they'll announce James, Hibbard, Kohn and Ryan in the starting line up and we can all look forward to the game again.

Is it?

Don't give me hope, Howley isn't clever enough for mind games.

Coombes, Gethin and Rees can bench press more in training, so they are bound to be the best rugby players.

Hibbard and Ryan have injuries but there's enough there to have a stronger 8 - Here we are


1 - James
2 - Rees
3 - Adam
4 - Evans
5 - Kohn
6 - Shingler
7 - Warbs
8 - Toby

Thats a powerful and dynamic set of forwards that would have Ireland thinking

If your worried about the scrum, Owens is the biggest lump of a hooker we have! He's been knocking spots off Rees at the Scarlets mun!