The Irish 23 v the Welsh 23

So let's get one thing out of the way, yes I have returned. Your hero is back, things were so boring without you...but let's get down to business.  
In the build up to Friday night lights, let's compare the quality of the two matchday squads, man for man, mono e mono, mano a mano, マンツーマン.

1. Cian Healy (yes not Big MAC McGrath) v 1. Rob Evans (who?) - this is a tight one, oh no wait, it isn't - Healy/ McGiant take the cake.

2. Rory Best v 2. Ken Eoins (doesn't deserve correct spelling) - Besty.

3. Tadgh Furlong v 3. Tomas Francis - Furlong.

4. Donnacha Ryan (highest paid player in Munster, thanks to Racing) v 4. Jake Bell - Bell has this one..JK Ryan.

5. Devin Toner v 5. Alun Wyn Jones - Jones world class player albeit he does not have world class hair.

6. CJ Stander v 6. Sam Warbun - Warbun has not been the same player since people realised he was never that player..CJ takes it.

7. Sean O'Brien v 7. Justin Tipuric - an all around class act v a "true 7" - SOB takes it but close.

8. Jamie Heaslip v 8. Toby.. I mean Ross Moriarty - Morzy has played some footy but Heals on Wheels is better all around.

9. Conor Murray v 9. Rhys Webb - Webb comes up short in every possible way here, Murray.

10. Johnny Sexton v 10. Dan Bigger - really like Bigger, but Sexton is well angry and stuff.

11. Liam Williams v 11. Simon Zebo - equal.

12. Robbie Henshaw v Scott Williams - Robbie by a touch although Williams has some fabulous attributes.

13. Gary Ringrose v Johnathan Davies - Davies can hand off sometimes but Gary has it all.

14. Keith Earls v George North - North, Earls too prone to defensive errors.

15. Rob Kearney v Leigh Halfpenny - both has-beens, equal.

16. Niall Scannell v 16. Scott Baldwin - both average, equal.

17. Jack McGrath v 17. Nicky Smith - McGrath although Smith is promising.

18. John Ryan v Samson Lee - equal, Lee has the experience, Ryan has the form.

19. Ian Henderson v Luke Charteris - Charteris although athletic, not shown much at international level, Henderson.

20. POM v Tony Faletau - Tony is off form, POM.

21. Kieran Marmion v Gareth Davies - Davies has shown more at international level, Davies.

22. Paddy Jackson v Sam Davies - Davies promising young player but largely untested internationally, Jackson.

23. Andrew Trimble v Jamie Roberts - both can be effective on form, equal.

In conclusion, my "blended" matchday 23 would look like this:
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Tadgh Furlong
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Alun-Wyn Jones
6. CJ Stander
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Williams/Zebo
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Gary Ringrose
14. George North
15. Kearney/Halfpenny
16. Baldwin/Scannell
17. Jack McGrath
18. Lee/Ryan
19. Ian Henderson
20. POM
21. Gareth Davies
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Trimble/Roberts
Starting XV - 11 Irish, 2 Welsh, 2 Irish/Welsh.
Replacements/ "Finishers" - 4 Irish, 1 Welsh, 3 Welsh/Irish.

So clearly Ireland have the better players, but that doesn't always determine the result as we saw in Murrayfield. Looking forward to seeing whether we play to our potential!

Wales by 10.

I did have a good laugh at the article though. Who says fans are biased?

Cyril wrote:Wales by 10.

I did have a good laugh at the article though. Who says fans are biased?

It's certainly possible. I believe Wales are going to be our toughest match in this 6N's, and that's no disrespect to England (England will be tough to beat at the Aviva). Wales have nothing to play for but pride, and will throw everything at Ireland. They usually do but, with nothing to really lose, the shackles will be gone.

Anyone who picks North over Earls based on the latter's perceived defensive errors is clearly a sandwich short of the full picnic.

North couldn't defend his honour let alone a high ball.

Gwlad wrote:Anyone who picks North over Earls based on the latter's perceived defensive errors is clearly a sandwich short of the full picnic.

North couldn't defend his honour let alone a high ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaFG81HdIE @2.53

Wales have nothing to play for but pride,

Not quite.
Wales lose - that condemns either Wales or France to tier 3 in next world cup seeding. So maybe you could argue the Irish match is for pride and then the French match will be for the pool of death scenario

Well, nothing to play for as far as this competition is concerned. I'm not sure how much dropping to tier 3 means to Wales. It all depends on who they get in the group, I suppose. You might be right though. Maybe they will be shackled by the pressure of world rankings?

Wales have everything to play for you would think, seedings, the shirt, the fans, the honor, the Lions. Howley.

http://www.the42.ie/shane-williams-ireland-wales-sexton-3264121-Feb2017/
Big Shane agrees.

2 things I fear from the Welsh:

1. their back row
2. Liam williams

I think Ireland will win 15/20 points.

This OP is brilliant and very refreshing.

I've given you a + vote to counteract the moron who obviously doesn't have the intelligence to recognise pi$$taking.

Gwlad wrote:Wales have everything to play for you would think, seedings, the shirt, the fans, the honor, the Lions. Howley.

I don't think a single one of them will be playing for Howley.

Gwlad wrote:Wales have everything to play for you would think, seedings, the shirt, the fans, the honor, the Lions. Howley.

Seedings and pride, as already mentioned then. Howley?

Its like musical chairs for the lions plane to NZ. Should prove for a cracking match.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Gwlad wrote:Wales have everything to play for you would think, seedings, the shirt, the fans, the honor, the Lions. Howley.

I don't think a single one of them will be playing for Howley.

Glad to se you are able to read irony.