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

We'll be meeting next Wednesday in a Beefeater in Llanelli and will discuss the team for France following a meal paid for by the WRU - Make some notes this weekend please and make them rational - none of this one eyed emotional welsh crxp

I want reasons for selections - and make them good ones - valid and reliable

Does this mean we're going to have to start talking in Roger Lewis business-speak?

No - feck the bullshoite talk I want reality and not like them shows - Ive had a word with Roger and he agrees that we need something that gives reason and validity to our selections - He knows Howley is out of his depth but the last thing he needs at the moment is another employment tribunal for unfair dismissal - keep that shtumm.

Do we get a free all expenses paid trip to France as well, if so don't tell Mrs Beds please. I will just tell her I am away working again

bedfordwelsh wrote:Do we get a free all expenses paid trip to France as well, if so don't tell Mrs Beds please. I will just tell her I am away working again

Sorry but we have to face harsh realities - I will go to France with Glas and we will Skype you for your opinions during half time and after the game. The WRU has promised you each a botttle of Chateneauf De Pape and a crepe to enjoy after the game but not before. We will reconvene on Tuesday in a Premier Inn near Caerphilly to discuss our appraisals

It seems us Irish fans are a bit further along the Kubler-Ross scale in terms of our coaching set up.....

We've long accepted that we have a useless coach whereas you guys still seem to be at the anger stage ......

rodders wrote:It seems us Irish fans are a bit further along the Kubler-Ross scale in terms of our coaching set up.....

We've long accepted that we have a useless coach whereas you guys still seem to be at the anger stage ......

Rodders,

I have been angry ever since it was announced Howler was taking charge in Gatlands absence, his decisions have just made me rageful, thats all lol

RubyGuby wrote:We will reconvene on Tuesday in a Premier Inn near Caerphilly to discuss our appraisals

If it's the Premier Inn I think it is, I'm banned. I won't go into details, but the police were called.

LP,

Its ok go in disguise, maybe as Kohn because I am pretty sure no one knows what he looks like.

We can get that ban lifted - don't worry - just tell them you're with Ruby. Whatever you do don't mention your with Glas A Du or we're fecked. I'd appreciate it if you referred to Glas as Kenneth, it just makes things easier

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

rodders wrote:I thought Howleys comments about Biggar were shocking actually. Terrible man management to throw the guy in the spotlight and point out his short comings in public.

It came across as naive. Plus, as you suggest, it was counter-productive.

I cringed at Howley's interview, I felt very sorry for Dan being made to look small by this idiot. Howley should be replaced by a coach with ability and management skills, the same goes for McBryde he is simply dull as a brush.

I put a thread up this morning about Howley being good at something and thats the ability to deflect pressue away from his own short comings as a coach.

bedfordwelsh wrote:I put a thread up this morning about Howley being good at something and thats the ability to deflect pressue away from his own short comings as a coach.

He'd have to be a fecking cross between a genius and a magician to do that

Is he thick skinned or just thick

RubyGuby wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Do we get a free all expenses paid trip to France as well, if so don't tell Mrs Beds please. I will just tell her I am away working again

Sorry but we have to face harsh realities - I will go to France with Glas and we will Skype you for your opinions during half time and after the game. The WRU has promised you each a botttle of Chateneauf De Pape and a crepe to enjoy after the game but not before. We will reconvene on Tuesday in a Premier Inn near Caerphilly to discuss our appraisals

Ruby,

As self appointed organiser of the new Big 5 I think it is only right that you go on the all expenses paid free trip to Paris and I agree that in these tough financial times there's not room for all us but I think who accompanies you should be decided in a good old fashion drink off.

Buyers choice everytime the individual goes to the bar and last man standing gets to go.

RubyGuby wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:I put a thread up this morning about Howley being good at something and thats the ability to deflect pressue away from his own short comings as a coach.

He'd have to be a fecking cross between a genius and a magician to do that

Is he thick skinned or just thick

Ruby,

Calling up Kohn deflected away from the other poor selctions he made and fact that we are back of 7 losses.

Putting pressure on Biggar ensures column inches is taken up by that rather than the actual side he has named.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:Do we get a free all expenses paid trip to France as well, if so don't tell Mrs Beds please. I will just tell her I am away working again

Sorry but we have to face harsh realities - I will go to France with Glas and we will Skype you for your opinions during half time and after the game. The WRU has promised you each a botttle of Chateneauf De Pape and a crepe to enjoy after the game but not before. We will reconvene on Tuesday in a Premier Inn near Caerphilly to discuss our appraisals

Ruby,

As self appointed organiser of the new Big 5 I think it is only right that you go on the all expenses paid free trip to Paris and I agree that in these tough financial times there's not room for all us but I think who accompanies you should be decided in a good old fashion drink off.

Buyers choice everytime the individual goes to the bar and last man standing gets to go.

I may as well throw in the towel now. Two pints and I'm anyone's. Ask the staff at the Premier Inn.

I'll be in Paris anyway, so just pretend to be me at the Airport Bedford. What could possibly go wrong

I don't believe what I'm hearing..... Howley wants the roof closed but Ireland are to insist that it stays open according to Thornley in the IT.....

I don't believe what I'm hearing..... Howley wants the roof closed but Ireland are to insist that it stays open according to Thornley in the IT.....

I'm also hearing this! How will that benefit either?

I have no real idea why Kidney would pick such an attacking back three and then insist on the game being subject to the elements. But then there's never really been anything to joined up about his tactics. Weather forecast for Saturday in Cardiff is overcast, no rain. If it's not raining its better for the roof to be open anyway.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power are ramping up the battle of the banter

http://www.joe.ie/rugby/six-nations/video-a-brilliant-lip-syncing-video-taking-the-pss-out-of-our-six-nations-opponents-wales-0033571-1

We'll be mushed if that pitch is wet and heavy. Kidney has lost the remaining few marbles he may have had.....

Wales may well have the edge in any conditions but certainly if we end up in a kicking dual with lots of scrums then we will be in for a long day.....

I doubt the pitch will be wet and heavy. Surely they close the roof in the run-up if there is heavy rain?

I'm happy that the roof's open. First of all, rugby's an outdoor sport, and secondly, the players will be less likely to fall over.

rodders wrote:We'll be mushed if that pitch is wet and heavy. Kidney has lost the remaining few marbles he may have had.....

Wales may well have the edge in any conditions but certainly if we end up in a kicking dual with lots of scrums then we will be in for a long day.....

I am not too sure about that, Gethin Jenkins scrummaging in the Autumn was awful, and with limited game time at Toulon I am not too sure it will have improved. Also we have an inexperienced lock (Coombs) and a lock who is just returning from an injury picked up int he AIs, so it could work in Irelands favour to have scrums.

glamorganalun wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

rodders wrote:I thought Howleys comments about Biggar were shocking actually. Terrible man management to throw the guy in the spotlight and point out his short comings in public.

It came across as naive. Plus, as you suggest, it was counter-productive.

I cringed at Howley's interview, I felt very sorry for Dan being made to look small by this idiot. Howley should be replaced by a coach with ability and management skills, the same goes for McBryde he is simply dull as a brush.

Isn't this similar to the way Hibbard was ostracized after the 2nd Australia Test last Summer?

“I knew the management were angry with me, none of them spoke to me – and neither did a few of the players after the game.
“The next day we flew to Sydney and then there wasa team meeting where we were all told there was only one change from the 22 players – and that was me.

“It really hurt because while I did concede the first penalty inside Australia’s half, I don’t think I was to blame for collapsing the maul
that gave them the winning kick.

“It was pretty difficult at the time and the rest of that week was tough. We were the other side of the world, I was away from my wife and
child, and I was being blamed for losing the entire series.

RugbyFan182 wrote:

I don't believe what I'm hearing..... Howley wants the roof closed but Ireland are to insist that it stays open according to Thornley in the IT.....

I'm also hearing this! How will that benefit either?

I tell you Sexton will pull up with a tweaked hamstring in training later on and ROG will go out to beat Jannie De Beer's record for most drop goal attempts in a match. It's written in the stars...

It's not really similar, Cyril, although Howley did criticise Dan Biggar directly in a post-match interview a couple of seasons ago. No, Howley's comments about Biggar now were just dumb. In asking the Press to give Biggar some space, he threw the spotlight on him.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It's not really similar, Cyril, although Howley did criticise Dan Biggar directly in a post-match interview a couple of seasons ago. No, Howley's comments about Biggar now were just dumb. In asking the Press to give Biggar some space, he threw the spotlight on him.

Which is a masterstroke. Wales lose, Biggar gets non-stop press coverage, and Howley sneaks away from loss number 8 without any real heat coming his way.

Scarlet - Howley isn't that clever he's just way out of his depth here; he meant it nicely but it just illustrates how out of touch he is, he's making a fool of himself without knowing and just about keeping it together. Whilst I'm angry, Rob is probably losing a lot of sleep, he's aged like feck and he is nervous in interviews. He's not got what it takes at this level in many many ways.

Ruby - I guess it must be a hard situation for him after all he is only a cartaker really, but he will be a season long caretaker (AIs & 6Ns) which then means he gets viewed the same as a real full time coach. Which means I judge him as cinically as I judge Gats and other folk who seem to love to play and twist the media.

For a role like that perception is very important. Doesnt matter even if he was a cracking man manager (which that Hibbard quote suggests he isnt) - it just makes Wales sound like a rudderless ship.

The RFU threw Martin Johnson into the top job when he had no prior experience, too, but Johnson had undoubted natural authority, which Howley lacks.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:The RFU threw Martin Johnson into the top job when he had no prior experience, too, but Johnson had undoubted natural authority, which Howley lacks.

and not much else by his management record and performance at the RWC

Notch wrote:I have no real idea why Kidney would pick such an attacking back three and then insist on the game being subject to the elements. But then there's never really been anything to joined up about his tactics. Weather forecast for Saturday in Cardiff is overcast, no rain. If it's not raining its better for the roof to be open anyway.

Meanwhile, Paddy Power are ramping up the battle of the banter

http://www.joe.ie/rugby/six-nations/video-a-brilliant-lip-syncing-video-taking-the-pss-out-of-our-six-nations-opponents-wales-0033571-1

That's just brilliant

wales606 wrote:

Notch wrote:
http://www.joe.ie/rugby/six-nations/video-a-brilliant-lip-syncing-video-taking-the-pss-out-of-our-six-nations-opponents-wales-0033571-1

That's just brilliant

I never knew Martyn Williams was a Scouser!

The tears are still rolling down my eyes - put this where everyone can see it Absolute class

Open roof?

The is no rain due, so I don't really see the problem

Should improve the pitch if anything.

Wales' would probably rather the atmosphere of a closed roof, and maybe a slightly more unstable surface for Zebo and Gilroy to step off.

I'm confident despite the non-existence of positives going into this game. The underdogs tag is the least we deserve after the autumn fiasco, that was always being anticipated. We've had it our last two games against the Irish and that hasn't altered the performance or result. The poll now bears a striking resemblance to how it looked on both those occasions. And Wales are making a habit of totally defying regional form and negating the Irish provincial form.

Our forwards will have to stand up though. Over the last year they haven't succeeded in rebuilding the platform which made the backs so dangerous and generally got the team going forward like they did in the WC or during the GS. The swiftness and defiance at the breakdown has declined massively from key men like Warbs, Faletau, the locks and of course Lydiate being absent. They've effectively neutralised a form O'Brien before and the absences of Ferris and O'Connell are always going to be significant so I think our boys have it in them to disrupt the Irish game again. And if they manage it I'd favour the likes of North, Roberts and Cuthbert running into their wingers, especially with Davies there to provide cohesion and create chances.

It'll be interesting to see how Coombs and Shingler get along and if one or both of them struggle we have Kohn and Tipuric to provide stability. Our scrum should at least be able to contend if not gain the upper hand. If the pack manage to be as fit and relentless as they have been and can be again, I'd be optimistic.

Knowsit17 wrote:I'm confident despite the non-existence of positives going into this game. The underdogs tag is the least we deserve after the autumn fiasco, that was always being anticipated. We've had it our last two games against the Irish and that hasn't altered the performance or result. The poll now bears a striking resemblance to how it looked on both those occasions. And Wales are making a habit of totally defying regional form and negating the Irish provincial form.

Our forwards will have to stand up though. Over the last year they haven't succeeded in rebuilding the platform which made the backs so dangerous and generally got the team going forward like they did in the WC or during the GS. The swiftness and defiance at the breakdown has declined massively from key men like Warbs, Faletau, the locks and of course Lydiate being absent. They've effectively neutralised a form O'Brien before and the absences of Ferris and O'Connell are always going to be significant so I think our boys have it in them to disrupt the Irish game again. And if they manage it I'd favour the likes of North, Roberts and Cuthbert running into their wingers, especially with Davies there to provide cohesion and create chances.

It'll be interesting to see how Coombs and Shingler get along and if one or both of them struggle we have Kohn and Tipuric to provide stability. Our scrum should at least be able to contend if not gain the upper hand. If the pack manage to be as fit and relentless as they have been and can be again, I'd be optimistic.

Good Post. Nice to read someone not getting carried away with negativity. I was about to do something drastic reading the majority of other posts by both irish and Welsh fans.

....won't be on here tomorrow but would like to wish the Welsh fans all the best for the game.... obviously I hope you lose but hey ho.... I hope its a great game and both sides bring their A games

Cheers Rodders have a good one mate

No you hope Ireland win innit?

Sitting here with a glass of wine and have to say am pretty damned nervous about the game tomorrow, just as I have been for the last few months.

Have to say part of me doesn't care about the result as long as Ireland play with a bit of purpose instead of the same old. Actually who am I kidding I'll take the win but only if it still means Kidney goes when that clock of his hits zero and we get that sense of purpose from then on in!

But anyway hope you all enjoy it and may the best team win

Sexton will win this game. BOD & Co, will help him on his way. Given any kind of parity in the scrum.

Irishhoneymonster wrote:Sitting here with a glass of wine and have to say am pretty damned nervous about the game tomorrow, just as I have been for the last few months.

Have to say part of me doesn't care about the result as long as Ireland play with a bit of purpose instead of the same old. Actually who am I kidding I'll take the win but only if it still means Kidney goes when that clock of his hits zero and we get that sense of purpose from then on in!

But anyway hope you all enjoy it and may the best team win

I think your sentiments apply to both sets of fans...!

Enjoy the game.

rodders wrote:....won't be on here tomorrow but would like to wish the Welsh fans all the best for the game.... obviously I hope you lose but hey ho.... I hope its a great game and both sides bring their A games

To be honest i'd rather Irelannd briing their A-team than their A-game.

Is it just me or has anyone else woken up with unfounded optimism today? Don't ask me why but i just have a feeling that the Welsh side is going to come out firing on all cylinders, and keep the ball in hand.

I get that feeling before every game, both Wales and Scarlets, invariably the optimism disappears after about 5-10 minutes of the game starting.

That's the victory of hope over experience.

Yeah. You'd think that I'd know better by now.