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

It's bound to happen eventually right...it happened at Twickernam in 2008, so were due another right?...right????

Ireland to sneak it by 3 pts.

Good luck to the Irish today.

I cannot imagine how Coombs must be feeling this morning.Bet breakfast was a bit of a struggle!Hope he does himself justice.

I tjink he'll do ok. Just hope he doesn't let the occasion get to him like James Griffiths did.

Here's to a great game, sportsfans.

Felt like Christmas Day this morn. Man I love this time of year.

Bring it on!

Gibbo - shame you can't get BBC 2 Wales - they're showing highlights of the same fixture from 1977. Gibson was quite good wasn't he? It was a right ding dong in them days too - booing from the locals, blood injuries, fisticuffs and sending offs. Love it!

OK, here we go folks!!! WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!

Afternoon all, cant watch today because i am stuck at work

Good luck to both and may Ireland win

Sorry Cari

Ooooh exciting times!!

Afternoon Billiam! Don't apologise...I hope we stuff yous!

Please BBC have Tommy on your panel...that will be worth your licence fee alone....pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

Feeling is likewise Cari, Ireland by 10

Honestly, I think whoever wins (Wales) it won't be by much.

Ireland to win quite easily today. They've just got too much in the locker for Wales.

is anyone doing the Six Nations drinking game? You must be well on your way if you are...there's been a few BBC clichés already.

If Gatland was in charge then i would say it would be close with Wales winning but i just dont rate Howley

They're showing BOD's interview with Jiffy which is great (it was on Sport Wales last night).

It comes down to who do you rate less; Kidney or Howley?

I reckon that the go-forward from the Wales backline will ultimately shade it.

I have a feeling that this will be Kidney's one good game of the 6N

How odd must it be for BOD not being captain?

I am secretly excited to see how Chilli's doing back after his long absence.

Good luck everyone!

Interesting stats with Biggar v Sexytoes...that's going to be an interesting battle. I really hope Biggar has a good match. This is his first proper start for Wales really. Ianto's got to behave himself as well!

I still think (hope) that Ireland will have too much in the tank

DOC's not looking as tanned as usual...is he sick with worry...?

Cari wrote:DOC's not looking as tanned as usual...is he sick with worry...?

Bad Cari for banning him from your tan bed

Here they come!

How must Coombs be feeling? Even Heaslip looked nervy!

Wales walking out of the tunnel likes its an episode of stars in their eyes.

Be brave Biggar!

nathan wrote:Wales walking out of the tunnel likes its an episode of stars in their eyes.

"Tonight, Matthew...I'm gonna be WINNING!"

Good luck lads and ladies! Getting nervous now. Here's to a good game

Awh BOD...this is likely the last time we'll see him at this fixture.

Jebus! The trumpet player's a bit enthusiastic!

Cari wrote:

nathan wrote:Wales walking out of the tunnel likes its an episode of stars in their eyes.

"Tonight, Matthew...I'm gonna be WINNING!"

Hehe

Trying hard not to make any jokes about Matthew Kelly!

Any score updates would be appreciated

eirebilly wrote:Any score updates would be appreciated

Currently 0-0 :p

OK lads...here we go...I hope it's a great game...open and fair and no nasty injuries for anyone.

0-0 at the moment Billy. The goat has just left the field.

nathan wrote:

eirebilly wrote:Any score updates would be appreciated

Currently 0-0 :p

Smart arrse!

No worries Billiam!

Oh no French ref...look out Bread of Seven!

nathan you cheeky git LOL

First scrum and early engagement from ireland

Ireland are going wide very quickly. Sexton kicks the corner. Good start

Ireland with all the possession at the moment...good kick from Sexytoes.

Bit of Vaseline on Smiler's face. Nasty cut above his eye. Ireland on the attack again...

Halfapee v Chilli = Halfapee won that one! Ireland pinged for not releasing.

Argh! Schitt lineout Wales!

Any scrums yet? Really interested to see how the Welsh hold up against the Irish scrum

Nervous start by both teams

North completely misread that.

Ireland playing like Leinster here. Loving it.

Good maul from Ireland. Good move off the back and scrum to Ireland. Gilroy has seen a lot of action

eirebilly wrote:Any scrums yet? Really interested to see how the Welsh hold up against the Irish scrum

Lots of resets at the moment, not sure what's going on.