Wales vs Ireland : Match Thread

[wales606]

I don't see a match thread, so here one is.

This is a tough one to call, could go either way although I think Ireland have the edge on paper.

Wales: H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), T Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Williams (Scarlets, capt), E Walker (Ospreys); J Hook (Gloucester Rugby), M Phillips (Racing Metro); N Smith (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Gloucester), A Jarvis (Ospreys), J Ball (Scarlets), D Day (Bath Rugby), R Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby), J Tipuric (Ospreys, vice-capt), D Baker (Ospreys).

Replacements: R Evans (Scarlets), K Dacey (Cardiff Blues), S Andrews (Cardiff Blues), J King (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ll Williams (Cardiff Blues), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), M Morgan (Bristol Rugby).


Ireland: F Jones (Munster); A Trimble (Ulster), K Earls (Munster), D Cave (Ulster), F McFadden (Leinster); P Jackson (Ulster), E Reddan (Leinster); J McGrath (Leinster), R Strauss (Leinster), M Ross (Leinster); I Henderson (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster); J Murphy (Leinster), T O'Donnell (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster, capt).

Replacements: R Best (Ulster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), M Bent (Leinster), D Tuohy (Ulster), C Henry (Ulster), K Marmion (Connacht), I Madigan (Leinster), S Zebo (Munster).

[wales606]

After watching Australia defeat NZ and win the rugby championship I am hoping Wales perform well this afternoon as I think the odds of us getting out of the group are not improving at the moment.

Looking forward to seeing how the backline and backrow goes against a pretty solid Irish pack.

[Guest]

Agree regarding Australia, but then look at four years ago, Australia winning the Tri-Nations, but then getting beaten by Ireland (and, arguably, South Africa as well). The style of play will be very different in the Northern Hemisphere Autumn, and will benefit Wales and England.

[Pot Hale]

Difficult to asses either team since they're a scratch combination.

First 10-15 mins will tell a lot.

[Pot Hale]

Wales quicker to the breakdown and contesting.

[wales606]

Weak, weak defence

[wales606]

Very little intensity from Wales so far, lots of players walking back.

This could be embarrassing now.

[wales606]

Moriarty and Baker can't hold onto the ball.

[formerly known as Sam]

Is this on TV anywhere?

[mikey_dragon]

Dom Day has been impressive. Wales are yet to gel.

[wales606]

Is this on TV anywhere?

BBC 2 Wales and online - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/33764595

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Bbc Wales Sam

978 on Sky

[profitius]

Earls having a nightmare so far.

[BigTrevsbigmac]

Scot Williams looking a bit rusty

[formerly known as Sam]

Thanks guys

[wales606]

Hibbard and Phillips the only Welsh players doing well.

That try was literally a walk over

[Pete330v2]

Earls is having such a nightmare and then almost makes up for it with some sublime footwork.
Wales will get into gear soon, they won't take this lying down.

[mikey_dragon]

Just idiot play from Wales so far, I didn't expect this team to play so stupidly. Also, anyone notice how the Ireland players are more tanned? That's a first...

[Knowsit17]

0-22

Wales having a shocker. Composure and patience nowhere to be seen. Ireland have been clinical, though poor Welsh defence and unforced errors in key positions is giving them the ideal platform.

Cricket score alert. This is why you don't throw a load of kids together without so much as an established leader among them.

[mikey_dragon]

Well that was poor. Good from Earls, he hasn't been as bad as made out, he's been good.

[wales606]

Basically a Hook intercept.

This is going to be bad.

Think there will be some changes at halftime.

[mikey_dragon]

Hook is having an absolute shocker. His kicking is too far, decision-making is poor, and keeps running like he's as big as Jamie Roberts.

[mikey_dragon]

What changes would you make? It isn't exactly a bench that can make a difference. I'd sub Hook for sure though.

[wales606]

No organisation in attack, no organisation in defence.

I know they are playing for individual places, but at the moment they are playing as individuals.

[nathan]

just tuned in and didnt expect to see that score, wonder if its just the usual Wales slow start and we'll see a much improved game in ireland

[Knowsit17]

Wales can't make a touch without voiding their bowels.

Btw, how does anyone even play with the idea of Hook starting for Wales anymore? Even with his experience and in a team of boys he can't control games for jack.

[wales606]

What changes would you make? It isn't exactly a bench that can make a difference. I'd sub Hook for sure though.

Definitely sub Hook, he is not going to the World Cup and Anscombe needs game time.

Also put Faletau on, pity there isn't more experience on the bench in case this happened - Would be good to bring on Warburton, Paul James, B.Davies.

[mikey_dragon]

That was needed haha.

[Notch]

Hope Trimble is ok...

[wales606]

just tuned in and didnt expect to see that score, wonder if its just the usual Wales slow start and we'll see a much improved game in ireland

It will be a better team in Ireland, and they will probably have played more rugby. I don't think this team have been playing much with a ball.

[Jaysus]

What a difference a try makes haha!

[mikey_dragon]

Ireland seem to be getting away with high tackles...or am I being harsh?

That was good from the boys BTW, especially Phillips, Amos and Walker.

[wales606]

Ooooh, so so close.

Really could use it :/

Well done Mike Phillips though, some much needed leadership from him there.

[nathan]

Ireland seem to be getting away with high tackles...or am I being harsh?

That was good from the boys BTW, especially Phillips, Amos and Walker.

I've only just tuned in so couldn't comment on the half, but i thought i just spotted a marginal one on the Welsh right attacking wing

[wales606]

In the world cup squad : Phillips

Out of the world cup squad : Hook

Impressive : Amos, Walker

Mixed : Richard Hibbard

Unimpressive : Everyone else

[Notch]

I want Ireland to win of course, but you can't help but feel that would have been a wonderful try if he had managed to finish it off.

[glamorganalun]

What the hell have these boys been doing pre season, the forwards have been weak, the backs have been working with poor ball and under presure.

Well played so far by Ireland their experience is showing.

[profitius]

Hope Trimble is ok...

Indeed. Would be a big blow if its a serious injury.

[Pete330v2]

"Ireland seem to be getting away with high tackles...or am I being harsh?"

It's OK though it's balanced by Wales diving into rucks off their feet at will

Fingers and everything else crossed for Trimble.

[nathan]

2 years to design a shirt...

[mikey_dragon]

It's an awful Wales jersey IMO.

[mikey_dragon]

606, don't you think our locks have been decent? Based on this and past games I'd go with Ball and Day over Davies. Day has been particularly impressive earning his first cap.

[mikey_dragon]

Moriarty up to his old tricks...

[nathan]

hmmmm, not sure how that decision sits with me.

he did make contact with a swinging arm, but it looked like it was an honest attempt to make a tackle and it was because Zebo was falling to the ground.

[mikey_dragon]

Yeah looking at the replay I thought that was harsh. Slightly clumsy perhaps, and made to look a lot worse as Zebo fell into it.

[Knowsit17]

It wouldn't be just to vindicate this selection and this performance by watching another minute. Enjoy the try-fest Ireland.

[wales606]

Another very easy try for Ireland

[nathan]

It was Irelands lineout due the ball being ripped out of the tackle and then went into touch

[wales606]

606, don't you think our locks have been decent? Based on this and past games I'd go with Ball and Day over Davies. Day has been particularly impressive earning his first cap.

Not bad, but as with Hibbard we have lost 2 lineouts on our own 5m line, do that in a close game and it could easily cost us the match.

[marty2086]

hmmmm, not sure how that decision sits with me.

he did make contact with a swinging arm, but it looked like it was an honest attempt to make a tackle and it was because Zebo was falling to the ground.

He didnt help himself by the fact he launched into the tackle, if it wasnt for Zebo falling it might have been worse as he made minimal contact

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