6N 2016: Ireland v Wales, 7 February

 
IRELAND v WALES
7 February 2016
KO: 15:00 GMT
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Live on RTE, ITV, FR2, DMAX, BBC(H)

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

123 Played 123
52 Won 67
4 Drawn 4
67 Lost 52
1,365 Points 1,461

B. Recent Form

29 August 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
10 – 16 to Wales

8 August 2015
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
21 – 35 to Ireland

14 March 2015
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
23 – 16 to Wales

8 February 2014
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
26 – 3 to Ireland

2 February 2013
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
22 – 30 to Ireland

C. Teams

IRELAND

S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), N White; D Toner, M McCarthy; CJ Stander, T O’Donnell, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J Cronin, T Furlong, D Ryan, R Ruddock, K Marmion, I Madigan, D Kearney.

WALES

G Anscombe; G North, J Davies, J Roberts, T James; D Biggar, G Davies; R Evans, S Baldwin, S Lee, L Charteris, A-W Jones, S Warburton (capt), J Tipuric, T Faletau.

Replacements: K Owens, G Jenkins, T Francis, B Davies, D Lydiate, L Williams, R Priestland, A Cuthbert

It looks as though Warburton will be available for this game:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-captain-sam-warburton-start-10762072

As will Liam Williams, it looks as though he will play against Connacht the week before Wales V Ireland:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/liam-williams-remains-course-return-10727723

The big one .

Blydi hell, this thread is a bit premature isn't it! We've barely even got our calculators out for the finale of the Champions Cup group stages and we haven't even had a chance to get outraged over the disgraceful treatment of <Pet favourite player> from <My province> and you're already on the match thread?!

My theory is George loves making these match threads so much he can't wait for the build-up to start. He's like a kid opening his presents on Christmas Eve right now!

A lot can change in three weeks, injury wise.
I think the winner will go on to win the tournament myself. I hope it's Wales. I was hoping Ireland might have an inexperienced squad, but there's loads of players wit 50-80 caps in there sadly.

Shifty wrote:A lot can change in three weeks, injury wise.
I think the winner will go on  to win the tournament myself.  I hope it's Wales.  I was hoping Ireland might have an inexperienced squad, but there's loads of players wit 50-80 caps in there sadly.  

Missing a few tidy players in their pack mind.

No POC this year either - huge loss for any team.

munkian wrote:

Shifty wrote:A lot can change in three weeks, injury wise.
I think the winner will go on  to win the tournament myself.  I hope it's Wales.  I was hoping Ireland might have an inexperienced squad, but there's loads of players wit 50-80 caps in there sadly.  

Missing a few tidy players in their pack mind.

No POC this year either - huge loss for any team.

Yeah bit of a drop off there with POC gone, it'll be either McCarthy or Ryan partnering Toner, and I'd have question marks over the fitness and stamina of both. Neither have ever let themselves down in green to be fair, but few can bring what Paulie did. Doesn't help than Henderson and POM are out either.

Comparing the teams, there are a few question marks in the front row for Wales (but no more than ourselves at the minute with Healy and Ross), the rest of the packs both very competitive with good depth in the backrow. Also great strength and ability in the backs (good to see JD2 back) for both teams. Very little between the two teams 15's to my mind. Maybe another question mark on Wales depth 10-15 when missing Halfpenny and Scott Williams and having Priestland, but then we need to see what bench Joe goes with as there are some off-form or just returning from injury.

This game is for me always the most nailbiting (maybe it's because I'll have to listen to my blydi Welsh mates if they win), you write off this Wales team at your own peril. They will be a stronger team from the injury crisis of the world cup, and Biggar is someone you cannot be gifting away penalties to.

Shifty if Wales win I think they could go all the way. If Ireland win there is still two game against reborn France and England teams away from home, which I think will be a bridge too far for us. If we did win the tournament I can't see it being a slam, but we could squeak like the last two years with Scotland and Italy last up.

We have our 1st choice 13 back remember

munkian wrote:We have our 1st choice 13 back remember

Yep, like I said above good to see him back! Big fan when he is on song!

Who are we likely to see in the Welsh back 3? North/ L. Williams/ Cuthbert? Who then on the bench?

Marshes wrote:

munkian wrote:We have our 1st choice 13 back remember

Yep, like I said above good to see him back! Big fan when he is on song!

Who are we likely to see in the Welsh back 3? North/ L. Williams/ Cuthbert? Who then on the bench?

Ah, sorry, missed that bit.

That's more than likely to be our backline - I reckon Amos will be on the bench to cover wing FB with Priestland on there too.

I'd prefer Amos to start over Cuthbert but it wont happen.

I do like the chances of attacking the wide channels with that Welsh back three. Wales will be incredibly good at compensating for the weaker defenders in their team, incredibly organised and well drilled, but Cuthbert especially can be got at.

The other thing I hope as an Ireland fan is that Sam Warburton plays open side ahead of Justin Tipuric. And that's not a slight on Warburton; it's just that if Tipuric was Irish he would be one of the first names I'd put on our team sheet. Quality, quality player.

Wales should start favourites for this match - especially since it's on a Sunday and everyone will be at Mass.

The Welsh have a habit of winning in Dublin - should be interesting to see what Schmidt can do to break it.

Very tough opener - Wales and England are my 2 picks for the title.

However traditionally Wales are most vulnerable in the opening week with their players coming together from different clubs and leagues and taking a while to get up to speed, as we saw last season.

With the players Joe has picked Ireland could potentially match or better Wales physically in the 3/4's but that 2nd row department looks a bit undercooked with no POC or Hendo available.

AWJ is playing out of his skin so the lineout could be an achilles heel and Wales could edge the tight 5.

50:50 game for me and one Ireland must win to avoid a potentially low finish and contend for a 3rd title.

rodders wrote:Very tough opener - Wales and England are my 2 picks for the title.

However traditionally Wales are most vulnerable in the opening week with their players coming together from different clubs and leagues and taking a while to get up to speed, as we saw last season.

With the players Joe has picked Ireland could potentially match or better Wales physically in the 3/4's but that 2nd row department looks a bit undercooked with no POC or Hendo available.

AWJ is playing out of his skin so the lineout could be an achilles heel and Wales could edge the tight 5.

50:50 game for me and one Ireland must win to avoid a potentially low finish and contend for a 3rd title.

Its awful its on a Sunday - Im going to need a hell of a lot of beer to calm my nerves

We have Jerome Garces reffing this game, I would suggest Gethin Jenkins sits this one out.

We'll have to target them up front early on. Their lack of lock forwards is our gain, but the front row players to step in like McGrath, Moore and Furlong are arguably better than Healy and Ross right now so that's a slight worry for me.

If we get ahead early it usually works for us - especially if its a try - a couple of games we've done this against Ireland and they've turned down the 3 points several times chasing the 7.

This game was tremendous in last years tournament. The best of the tournament by far. What a battle, two well matched teams unwilling to lose.

Again it will be an epic, close bullfight of attrition marshalled by Biggar and Sexytoes.

Ireland in Dublin is one of the greatest tests in the NH game. Wales have issues with lack of game time for big players, injuries and a few players form. But the majority of these lads were in the RWc squad so they have proven resilient to adversity in many ways.

All the Irish provinces are hitting good form playing great rugby in the league and Europe. They have a few selection conundrums but They have a canny coach in Joe Schmidt

To tight to call really. At the moment a narrow Irish win would be my prediction.

Ireland by 15-20.

Ireland by 8

Havent seen enough of the Irish teams to judge this well.

I think Rob Evans should start for us, and if he does it will strengthen our scrum somewhat as well as give us a carrier.

To negate what we would lose at the breakdown in Gethin's absence, I would play Warburton and Tipuric.

My XV would look like this

Evans
Baldwin
Lee
Wyn Jones
Charteris
Warburton
Tipuric
Faletau

Davies
Biggar
James
Roberts
Davies
North
Anscombe (assuming Liam Williams isnt fit)

Gethin
Francis
Owens
Bradley Davies
Turnball

Lloyd Williams
Priestland
Amos

rodders wrote:Very tough opener - Wales and England are my 2 picks for the title.

However traditionally Wales are most vulnerable in the opening week with their players coming together from different clubs and leagues and taking a while to get up to speed, as we saw last season.

With the players Joe has picked Ireland could potentially match or better Wales physically in the 3/4's but that 2nd row department looks a bit undercooked with no POC or Hendo available.

AWJ is playing out of his skin so the lineout could be an achilles heel and Wales could edge the tight 5.

50:50 game for me and one Ireland must win to avoid a potentially low finish and contend for a 3rd title.

Blydi hell, I missed that. How long is he out for?

GavinDragon wrote:Havent seen enough of the Irish teams to judge this well.

I think Rob Evans should start for us, and if he does it will strengthen our scrum somewhat as well as give us a carrier.

To negate what we would lose at the breakdown in Gethin's absence, I would play Warburton and Tipuric

Interesting thought.

In some ways I would rather Evans than James but still a big believer in Grthin. It's the rugby nowse he has that makes the difference.

His rugby nous didn't stop him getting pinged repeatedly by Garces in the World Cup.

Speaking of the World Cup, will he be around for the next one? If not, let's look at the alternatives now. The same goes for the rest of the team.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:His rugby nous didn't stop him getting pinged repeatedly by Garces in the World Cup.

Speaking of the World Cup, will he be around for the next one? If not, let's look at the alternatives now. The same goes for the rest of the team.

Gatland is out to win not develop #Lions

Until Nicky Smith replaces Paul James at the Ospreys, I don't see why he should leapfrog Paul James in the pecking order.

I think it could be either James or Evans. Evans is just my preference because he is younger.

Gething, as has been noted, is a liability in the scrum when reffered by a Frenchman.

However, WOL's Simon Thomas seems certain it will be Gethin.

GavinDragon wrote:Havent seen enough of the Irish teams to judge this well.

I think Rob Evans should start for us, and if he does it will strengthen our scrum somewhat as well as give us a carrier.

To negate what we would lose at the breakdown in Gethin's absence, I would play Warburton and Tipuric.

My XV would look like this

Evans
Baldwin
Lee
Wyn Jones
Charteris
Warburton
Tipuric
Faletau

Davies
Biggar
James
Roberts
Davies
North
Anscombe (assuming Liam Williams isnt fit)

Gethin
Francis
Owens
Bradley Davies
Turnball

Lloyd Williams
Priestland
Amos

The changes I would make to this are Lydiate at 6, Tips at 7, Amos at 11 or 14 - with Warburton and Liam Williams coming onto the bench.

The problem with Gatland naming Warburton as captain is that he's more or less obliged to play him. I'd have Alun Wyn as captain. He's a natural leader and he also leads by example. In my opinion, Warburton only does the latter.

Wyn Jones is the only player whose position is under no threat.

All the more reason to make him captain.

AWJ is one of the best rugby players in the world at the moment. I do not care what anybody tries to tell me, he would walk into any side on the planet.

Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

Either that or a

BamBam wrote:Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

BamBam, I was at the game last Friday night against Clermont, it was in the last 5 or 10 minutes, Clermont had a ruck inside the Ospreys 22, Tuperic got his hands on the ball and turned it over, I remember saying to my father, whilst pointing to AWJ who was on all fours looking fecked, I said to him he has ran himself into the ground tonight, then Sam Davies kicked the ball into Clermont's 22 and who was the first Ospreys player there, trying to win the ball back ? You guessed it AWJ. He is on another level at the moment.

LordDowlais wrote:

BamBam wrote:Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

BamBam, I was at the game last Friday night against Clermont, it was in the last 5 or 10 minutes, Clermont had a ruck inside the Ospreys 22, Tuperic got his hands on the ball and turned it over, I remember saying to my father, whilst pointing to AWJ who was on all fours looking fecked, I said to him he has ran himself into the ground tonight, then Sam Davies kicked the ball into Clermont's 22 and who was the first Ospreys player there, trying to win the ball back ? You guessed it AWJ. He is on another level at the moment.

Haha, I wasn't disagreeing by saying that, just thought it was rather emphatic!

I'm not sure about getting into any side in the world, but he is a good player

The one thing Wyn Jones lacked was his carrying. However, he has improved on that over the last year or so and carries, not just the one ups, but he carries in wider channels and is now looking for offloading. He is now in the same bracket as the Whitelocks, Rotallicks etc

AWJ is a world class player - Paul O'Connell just got better with age and I think AWJ is just coming to his peak now over the next few seasons.... even if his best hair days are behind him....

Ireland really need someone of that calabre in the engine room but there is a bit of a void now with the great man gone to the dark side.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Blydi hell, I missed that. How long is he out for?

Whole season

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:All the more reason to make him captain.

It makes no sense whatsoever that Warburton is captain ahead of Wyn Jones to me.

Notch wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Blydi hell, I missed that. How long is he out for?

Whole season

Ouch.

LordDowlais wrote:

BamBam wrote:Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

BamBam, I was at the game last Friday night against Clermont, it was in the last 5 or 10 minutes, Clermont had a ruck inside the Ospreys 22, Tuperic got his hands on the ball and turned it over, I remember saying to my father, whilst pointing to AWJ who was on all fours looking fecked, I said to him he has ran himself into the ground tonight, then Sam Davies kicked the ball into Clermont's 22 and who was the first Ospreys player there, trying to win the ball back ? You guessed it AWJ. He is on another level at the moment.

Blydi hell Lord, your copying my story from a few days ago, Alun Wyn was just about 15 yards from where I was sitting, when he was on all fours, remarkable player, I still would have given MOTM to Sam Davies even though he played less than half a game.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Notch wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Blydi hell, I missed that. How long is he out for?

Whole season

Ouch.

I think his hamstring completely came off the bone. Ouch is right!

wayne wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

BamBam wrote:Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

BamBam, I was at the game last Friday night against Clermont, it was in the last 5 or 10 minutes, Clermont had a ruck inside the Ospreys 22, Tuperic got his hands on the ball and turned it over, I remember saying to my father, whilst pointing to AWJ who was on all fours looking fecked, I said to him he has ran himself into the ground tonight, then Sam Davies kicked the ball into Clermont's 22 and who was the first Ospreys player there, trying to win the ball back ? You guessed it AWJ. He is on another level at the moment.

Blydi hell Lord, your copying my story from a few days ago, Alun Wyn was just about 15 yards from where I was sitting, when he was on all fours, remarkable player, I still would have given MOTM to Sam Davies even though he played less than half a game.

Sorry Wayne, I did not intend to do that. Great minds and all that.

You must have put that on the Ospreys thread, I have not really been on there a lot the past day or two as I do not want to hear about Andrew Hore. He seriously is doing my nut in at the minute.

LordDowlais wrote:

wayne wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

BamBam wrote:Big shouty full stop needed at the end of that LD

BamBam, I was at the game last Friday night against Clermont, it was in the last 5 or 10 minutes, Clermont had a ruck inside the Ospreys 22, Tuperic got his hands on the ball and turned it over, I remember saying to my father, whilst pointing to AWJ who was on all fours looking fecked, I said to him he has ran himself into the ground tonight, then Sam Davies kicked the ball into Clermont's 22 and who was the first Ospreys player there, trying to win the ball back ? You guessed it AWJ. He is on another level at the moment.

Blydi hell Lord, your copying my story from a few days ago, Alun Wyn was just about 15 yards from where I was sitting, when he was on all fours, remarkable player, I still would have given MOTM to Sam Davies even though he played less than half a game.

Sorry Wayne, I did not intend to do that. Great minds and all that.

You must have put that on the Ospreys thread, I have not really been on there a lot the past day or two as I do not want to hear about Andrew Hore. He seriously is doing my nut in at the minute.

Dim problem Lord

When do Ireland announce their squad?

maestegmafia wrote:When do Ireland announce their squad?

Yesterday

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:When do Ireland announce their squad?

Yesterday

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/36692.php#.VqIujksU6hM

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:When do Ireland announce their squad?

Yesterday