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

The solid set piece is the bedrock of the game, they are the footings on which the house is built - We may scrape through by luck and determination but this is an amateurish selection and it is disappointing if true.

Doesn't matter who you pick, this is what you're up against!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpeP5wMLMs

rapidsnowman wrote:Doesn't matter who you pick, this is what you're up against!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpeP5wMLMs

He does pick his angles well. Didn't take his agent long to get that montage up there!

Did Howley know his team before Wales Online told him what it should be?

I'm still hoping the leaked squad is wrong.

George Carlin wrote:

rapidsnowman wrote:Doesn't matter who you pick, this is what you're up against!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpeP5wMLMs

He does pick his angles well. Didn't take his agent long to get that montage up there!

Ah thats a fan! Hopefully he gets a chance to pick some angles and run at some guys. If things go badly though it'll all be about him trying to defend overlaps with North or Cuthbert running at him.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I'm still hoping the leaked squad is wrong.

You, me and most of Wales I think LP, unfortunately with Howleys track record of bad selections I wouldn't be surprised if its right.

If it is god help us Ireland by a clear 10.

If Howley's Nightmare XV has indeed been correctly leaked, will we be the first international team ever where the backline outweighs the pack? (Not average weight, I mean the 7 of them will be heavier than the 8 forwards. Even with Halfpenny).

Leeked.

I thought of that, Mick, but decided it was too obvious.

Chortle.

It was, dreadful, but i just coundn't resist.

Casartelli wrote:If Howley's Nightmare XV has indeed been correctly leaked, will we be the first international team ever where the backline outweighs the pack? (Not average weight, I mean the 7 of them will be heavier than the 8 forwards. Even with Halfpenny).

It is clear that we have added the 14 man scrum ploy to our 14 man line out gambit.Watch us go for a pushover try from 60 yards out!

Good, good. There aren't enough 14-man rolling mauls in the game today for my liking!

The WRUhave recognised that3/4 of the crowd turn up merely to attempt to get on the telly and not watch the Rugby.Their gaze is fixed on the big screens to check whether their daff headgear or traditional pink spangly hat has caught the cameraman's eye.
This is why we play dull Rugby and have ditched the good stuff.
I believe that there are plans to install tv's on the back of the seat in front on health and safety grounds as a number of folk have cricked their neck looking at themselves on the big screens.

Notch wrote:Good, good. There aren't enough 14-man rolling mauls in the game today for my liking!

I concur. From 5 yards out it's very hard to defend. Although Leinster managed it against Exeter, with a weaker pack than Ireland. I hope they've looked at it in training!

Taffineastbourne wrote:The WRUhave recognised that3/4 of the crowd turn up merely to attempt to get on the telly and not watch the Rugby.Their gaze is fixed on the big screens to check whether their daff headgear or traditional pink spangly hat has caught the cameraman's eye.
This is why we play dull Rugby and have ditched the good stuff.
I believe that there are plans to install tv's on the back of the seat in front on health and safety grounds as a number of folk have cricked their neck looking at themselves on the big screens.

It's sad, but there's a lot of truth in this. During the anthems, the BBC will cut away from the players to show the crowd, who will be waving at themselves on the big screen. Why do the producers think we want to see that?!

Thats not a bad side...!

Wales team v Ireland: 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, J Tipuric, L Williams, S Williams, J Hook.

Big, powerful, dynamic....we'll be mushed.

So BOD pretty much confirms its the end of the road for him....... or is this just another chapter in the BOD V Kidney war?.......

Not a bad side?????

No Hibbard the form hook in Wales by a country mile, What Jenkins has done to get included I don't know, Evans will last 60 at very best, Shinglar the ONLY 6 option and not a great int 6 option, Rees over Owens? No Liam WIlliams, no Byrne!

I can understand there are changes forced but that doesnt mean you have to revert to what has worked over a year ago in as many positions as possible to avoid too much change.

Tipuric has to be gutted!!

Not as good as it could be, Maes, and I hold one man responsible for that.

Wait, do you even have a 9 sub?

Lloyd frickin Williams - so NO!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Not a bad side?????

No Hibbard the form hook in Wales by a country mile, What Jenkins has done to get included I don't know, Evans will last 60 at very best, Shinglar the ONLY 6 option and not a great int 6 option, Rees over Owens? No Liam WIlliams, no Byrne!

I can understand there are changes forced but that doesnt mean you have to revert to what has worked over a year ago in as many positions as possible to avoid too much change.

Tipuric has to be gutted!!

Was thinking the same thing. He's not only the form flanker in Wales at the moment, but I reckon he's the form player. With Warbs the captain too, his inclusion was suspect to begin with, unless of course they went for Warbs at 6 and Tips at 7. I know they toyed with that idea, but I guess they thought they'd need the size against a pretty big Irish backrow.

If Byrne has been playing well in a very good French club side,has a huge boot,runs great lines and would more than hold his own under Kearney's bombs I can fully understand why Howley would omit him from the match day squad.

And Shingler at 6 and Coombs at lock was their way of adding that size?!

It's not a bad side though is it...!

Those are all good players, Rees vs Hibbard I would have had Hibbard too. Shingler vs Tipuric tough call but Shingler is playing really well too. Sam is captain and a good seven in decent form.

Byrne vs Halfpenny (North) a tough call too.

Evans can be invaluable and apparently Kohn is doing well so expect him to be on board when Evans tires out

Blue

If they needed size surely Shinglar isn't the answer!!!

IMHO Tipuric is the form 7 in the NH, and the only reason he isn't leading the lions test shirt is because he isn't allowed to play int rugby!!!

With all Irelands ball carrying options we'll need the work done on the floor, Warbs and Tipuric would do that, I can almost justify Jenkins too for hiw work but Rees over Owens?

Howley is a coward!

Lloyd Williams is the 9 sub.

I don't understand why we'd put in a 6 ft 4 16 stone something player with only a few games' experience at lock.

Taffineastbourne wrote:If Byrne has been playing well in a very good French club side,has a huge boot,runs great lines and would more than hold his own under Kearney's bombs I can fully understand why Howley would omit him from the match day squad.

Agree, it was a logical decision by Howley not to pick him. Well done Wob.

Tipuric and Paul James must be gutted.

Taffineastbourne wrote:If Byrne has been playing well in a very good French club side,has a huge boot,runs great lines and would more than hold his own under Kearney's bombs I can fully understand why Howley would omit him from the match day squad.

If only it was funny! If Halfpenny takes a knock we'll have the failed experiment of Hook at fullback again!

I got a fiver the first bomb that goes up 1/2p is assaulted (legally) I can see SOB, POM and the wings chasing Kearneys boot all day, 1/2p is in for a hiding until Hook replaces him and totally hands the game away!

What happens to our lineout when Evans goes off? Kohn is apparently a front jumper and Coombs doesn't have the height to be a middle jumper. So what do we do??

We do what we've done for years blue... close our eyes and through everyone up at the same time and hope we nick our own ball!!!

The lineout cannot be as bad as it's been though, so I'm not too worried, it's more the fact that Biggar is prone to leaving the field early for Wales, and 1/2p knocks himself unconcsious if need be, it'll only take a few cheap shots before Hook is covering 10 and 15.

Ah I assumed L Williams was Liam Williams, sorry

ChequeredJersey wrote:And Shingler at 6 and Coombs at lock was their way of adding that size?!

Well they're both a lot bigger than Tips! So...yes!

BlueNote wrote:Lloyd Williams is the 9 sub.

I don't understand why we'd put in a 6 ft 4 16 stone something player with only a few games' experience at lock.

Either genius or madness.All will be revealed on Saturday.
I have a really bad feeling that we are looking to set our longest losing streak record over the next couple of months.

I'd prefer Liam at 9 than the Holly Wilaboobie Lloyd.

Isn't Coombs a flanker usually? Why didn't they play Kohn and Evans, and then Coombs at 6 for added bulk?

I'm puzzled by Howley's 'selection'.

Blue

Height isn't everything though, what Tipuric loses in height and weight he more than makes up for with his ground work directly after the tackle, Shinglar is much slighter than the Irish ball carriers and offers little in way of threat to the ball. He is the worst of both worlds!

It is Shingler not Turnbull, isn't it? The BBC's report is inconsistent - says Shingler in the text and Turnbull in the lineup. If it were Turnbull I really would be tempted to sell my ticket.

thought they would go with shingler at 6 to compensate for lack of height in the second row. think we missed a trick here with not going with warburton at 6 and tips at 7. surely we would have starved ireland of possesion without them having a recognised 7. Think jenkins, rees & coombes are lucky to make the team. Also shocking L williams & s williams have made the bench, both are out of sorts at regional rugby. Jon Evans of the dragons must be thinking what he has to do to get into howlers clique!

He has to get adopted by Brynmor!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Blue

Height isn't everything though, what Tipuric loses in height and weight he more than makes up for with his ground work directly after the tackle, Shinglar is much slighter than the Irish ball carriers and offers little in way of threat to the ball. He is the worst of both worlds!

I completely agree, height definitely isn't everything, but coaches often seem to mistake perceived physcial size as an indicator for increased physciality, which is wrong. Look at Scott Gibbs, or Steffon Armitage.

I'd definitely be starting Tips and Warbs on the flanks, but I just can't see Howley's reasoning for selecting Shingler.

BlueNote, I've seen reports of Turnball starting at 6 too...

Ah, the Beeb has corrected it, it's Shingler.

thebluesmancometh wrote:I'd prefer Liam at 9 than the Holly Wilaboobie Lloyd.

Lloyd looked in fantastic form on his return from suspension. I'm not surprised at the call at all.

He scored a try assisted another and one man of the match.

Right, let go through how awful this forward pack is.

1. Gethin Jenkins - 3rd choice (James, Gill)
2. Matthew Reed - 3rd choice (Hibbard, Owens)
3. Adam Jones - 1st choice
4. Andrew Coombs - 9th choice (AWJ, Charteris, Evans, BD, Kohn, R.Jones, King, Reed)
5. Ian Evans - 3rd choice (AWJ, Charteris)
6. Aaron Shingler - 3rd/4th choice - (Lydiate, R.Jones, Warburton)
7. Sam Warburton - 2nd choice (Tipuric)
8. Toby Faletau - 2nd choice (R.Jones)

MM

They were the same game against the worst team in europe!! Lloyd has offered nothing pre suspension to justify being in the squad, Roberts, Peel, Rees, Evans, Davies and the other Evans have all been far better!!!

maestegmafia wrote:

thebluesmancometh wrote:I'd prefer Liam at 9 than the Holly Wilaboobie Lloyd.

Lloyd looked in fantastic form on his return from suspension. I'm not surprised at the call at all.

He scored a try assisted another and one man of the match.

Ah yes, of course. One good game in 18months makes him good enough. He has been the Blues 3rd choice SH most of this season, and we have cr*p SHs.

If you can get the ball out to the backs you'll be fine...if not - it's going to be a long afternoon.