6N 2017: Wales v Ireland, 10 March

by **George Carlin** Wed 01 Mar 2017, 07:27

First topic message reminder :

6N 2017: Wales v Ireland, 10 March - Page 2 Wales_10

6N 2017: Wales v Ireland, 10 March - Page 2 Irelan10

WALES v IRELAND
10 March 2017
KO: 20:05 GMT
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [ITV, RTE, SC4, FR2, DMAX / BBC (H)]

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: [tbc]
TMO: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

124 Played 124
50 Won 67
7 Drawn 7
67 Lost 50
1,477 Points 1,381

B. Recent Form

7 February 2016
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
16 – 16 draw

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

5 February 2012
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
21 – 23 to Wales

8 October 2011
Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
22 – 10 to Wales

C. Teams

WALES

Halfpenny; North, J Davies, S Williams, L Williams, Biggar, Webb, Evans, Owens, Francis, Ball, A Jones, Warburton, Tipuric, Moriarty.

Replacements: Roberts for S Williams (67), S Davies for Biggar (80), G Davies for Webb (67), Smith for Evans (67), Baldwin for Owens (72), Lee for Francis (70), Charteris for Ball (63), Faletau for Moriarty (67).

IRELAND

Kearney; Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Zebo; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best, Furlong, D Ryan, Toner, Stander, O'Brien, Heaslip.

Replacements: Bowe for Kearney (70), Jackson for Sexton (19), Marmion for Murray (46), C Healy for McGrath (59), Scannell for Best (80), J Ryan for Furlong (80), Henderson for Toner (63), O'Mahony for Stander (63).

by mikey_dragon Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:06

carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

by carpet baboon Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:09

mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

by Guest Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:20

carpet baboon wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

<cough> BULLSCHIDT! <cough>

by **George Carlin** Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:23

Surely this is not Wales fans blaming Barnes for their points defeat/moral victory with a full week still to go?

by Scottrf Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:24

George Carlin wrote:Surely this is not Wales fans blaming Barnes for their points defeat/moral victory with a full week still to go?

It's the opposite.

by carpet baboon Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:24

Griff wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

<cough> BULLSCHIDT! <cough>

No. It's true. I said the same when some Welsh fans were slating Phillips for being bias. It's up to the teams to adapt to the ref.
Win lose or draw it's down to the team, not the ref

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 02 Mar 2017, 10:53

George Carlin wrote:Are you aware that Tom Jones just played the Dubai Jazz Festival last week and that the man can still sing?

I read that as Tom James.

by SecretFly Thu 02 Mar 2017, 11:34

carpet baboon wrote:
Griff wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

<cough> BULLSCHIDT! <cough>

No. It's true. I said the same when some Welsh fans were slating Phillips for being bias. It's up to the teams to adapt to the ref.
Win lose or draw it's down to the team, not the ref

Of course it is.... within reason. Some refs can let you know they don't like you though. Just ask Shane Horgan.

Overall though, you're right, carpet. But we're not interested in that kind of boring real news here. Fake news and the banter it can create is what we're all about here. Real fake news btw, not that fake fake stuff that sells cheaper.

by international198 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 14:29

I've heard that Rhys Patchell is going to be back from injury soon. This is great news for Wales. He offers another option to Dan Biggar and Sam Davies and, at his best, is possibly one of the best outside halves in the Northern Hemisphere. Not sure if he'll be called up to the squad for the Ireland game but I suspect he'll be involved with the summer tour to the Pacific Islands.

by Tattie Scones RRN Thu 02 Mar 2017, 14:52

international198 wrote:I've heard that Rhys Patchell is going to be back from injury soon. This is great news for Wales. He offers another option to Dan Biggar and Sam Davies and, at his best, is possibly one of the best outside halves in the Northern Hemisphere. Not sure if he'll be called up to the squad for the Ireland game but I suspect he'll be involved with the summer tour to the Pacific Islands.

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!

Corker thumbsup

by Guest Thu 02 Mar 2017, 14:52

carpet baboon wrote:
Griff wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

<cough> BULLSCHIDT! <cough>

No. It's true. I said the same when some Welsh fans were slating Phillips for being bias. It's up to the teams to adapt to the ref.
Win lose or draw it's down to the team, not the ref

Fair enough carpet baboon! I just remember the Wayne Barnes response last time. There were whole threads dedicated to the man, thousands of posts, deleted posts, forum members banned, the lot!

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 14:56

The win loss stats in the OP are the wrong way around

124 Played 124
50 Won 67
7 Drawn 7
67 Lost 50
1,477 Points 1,381

Wales have won more. I think Ireland are good enough to win this one and form is on their side. However, Wales are obviously a very good side and well able to beat us especially in Wales or lets face it in Dublin too.

To win I think we will have to be very tactically malleable and adapt quickly. With Sexton and Murray playing and the leadership of Best I think we can do just that.

We will need a good start and consistency from Barnes.

by SecretFly Thu 02 Mar 2017, 14:58

Wayne loves it, Griff. He's after Nigel's crown.

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 02 Mar 2017, 15:18

SecretFly wrote:Wayne loves it, Griff. He's after Nigel's crown.

Don't you mean Romain's crown? Whistle

by carpet baboon Thu 02 Mar 2017, 15:19

Griff wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:
Griff wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
carpet baboon wrote:To be honest I hope jd2 starts at 13. Ringrose should destroy him all day

Unfortunately Wayne Barnes is lining up at 13 for Wales.

I have confidence in Barnes to be impartial and ref the game even handed. If we loose its because we wernt good enough

<cough> BULLSCHIDT! <cough>

No. It's true. I said the same when some Welsh fans were slating Phillips for being bias. It's up to the teams to adapt to the ref.
Win lose or draw it's down to the team, not the ref

Fair enough carpet baboon! I just remember the Wayne Barnes response last time. There were whole threads dedicated to the man, thousands of posts, deleted posts, forum members banned, the lot!

I remember them to. And remember thinking if we had been good enough jiffy could have been ref and it wouldn't of matered

by GunsGermsV2 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 15:20

I wonder since Wales are already pretty much out of the championship would they not just let us win? surely there is nothing in for them to beat their Celtic friends.

by international198 Thu 02 Mar 2017, 15:55

Wales are out of the running so Howley may as well experiment and start with Sam Davies at 10, Aled Davies at 9, Keelan Giles on the wing, Liam Williams at full-back and Ashley Beck (if fit ) in the centre.

by SecretFly Thu 02 Mar 2017, 15:56

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
SecretFly wrote:Wayne loves it, Griff. He's after Nigel's crown.
Don't you mean Romain's crown?

No. Nigel is the superstar. Wayne wants that crown. It's the X Factor and all publicity is good publicity in that realm.

by **rodders** Fri 03 Mar 2017, 09:42

SecretFly wrote:
Luckless Pedestrian wrote:
SecretFly wrote:Wayne loves it, Griff. He's after Nigel's crown.
Don't you mean Romain's crown?

No. Nigel is the superstar. Wayne wants that crown. It's the X Factor and all publicity is good publicity in that realm.

Apparently Wayne is dressing up as a daffodil to mark the occaision

by SecretFly Fri 03 Mar 2017, 11:38

Imagine we're talking about daffodils and the X Factor in a thread about an upcoming Wales v Ireland game.......... Shocked

The mind boggles at how lax us Irish fans are this year about this 6N show. We can barely lift an eyebrow to pretend interest. *Yawn* Now where's me nuts? I got some more hibernating to do before Spring truly starts.

by Gwlad Fri 03 Mar 2017, 17:42

This is the problem when the real rugby fans like those from Wales aren't in the hunt. its so rare these days that when it does happen the whole tourney takes a hit.

Seriously though the real reason the 6 Nations isn't that good this year is because there is no passion in English rugby and sadly they are clear faves to win another tournament. Meanwhile the real fans are in various states of cognitive dissonance.

Scots: daren't breathe a word as they know they could do it but won't. Scotland have a habit of promising and not delivering and their Jock straps are moistening by the minute.
English: World Class, No 2 side in the world, Harltey nailed on to be Lions mascot, unbeaten since the Big Bang blah blah blah, its theirs to lose right and rugby is the real loser.
Irish: feigning disinterest in the tournament as they know it comes down to 1 game for them and they lost to Scotland Shocked

, are smarting from Lions being front and centre and have a nationwide collective sad on, as they're only really concerned about whether Gatland will drop O ' Driscoll from the Lions tour this year.
France: With their Gallic flair almost terminally absent from their rugby anymore they are also in a collective sulk. C'est merde.
Italy: Finally have acknowledged they are really poor so have invented a new game. And still lost.
Wales: Nothing new here, roller coaster rugby, feast and famine, swings and roundabouts, horse and cart, dog and duck. Apparently Howley is going to take next season off to do a season as Stan Laurel at Blackpool theatre (with WRU support)

by SecretFly Fri 03 Mar 2017, 17:55

Very good Gwlad

Put a smile on my face, especially the Irish and Italian bit.

by SecretFly Fri 03 Mar 2017, 17:56

that wasn't me who did the red!!?? That was quick, whoever it was. It's usually rodders, that naughty lad.

by Gooseberry Fri 03 Mar 2017, 19:34

Don't worry I'm sure Wayne Barnes will do something controversial enough ...like getting the laws right ...to reignite the handbags

by eirebilly Sat 04 Mar 2017, 08:24

international198 wrote:Wales are out of the running so Howley may as well experiment and start with Sam Davies at 10, Aled Davies at 9, Keelan Giles on the wing, Liam Williams at full-back and Ashley Beck (if fit ) in the centre.

I cant see that happening myself. If he did and Wales won then the pressure on him for not making these selections earlier would have him hounded in the media. To me, Howley is a 'what would Gatland select' kind of coach. More interested in acting like Gatland (with far less nous) than one who will back his own convictions.

by maestegmafia Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:22

When are the teams announced this week?

by carpet baboon Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:47

maestegmafia wrote:When are the teams announced this week?

Prob weds as has to be 48hrs before ko

by SecretFly Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:49

48 hrs before ko for all International sides except Ireland.

by **George Carlin** Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:50

Gwlad wrote:This is the problem when the real rugby fans like those from Wales aren't in the hunt. its so rare these days that when it does happen the whole tourney takes a hit.

Seriously though the real reason the 6 Nations isn't that good this year is because there is no passion in English rugby and sadly they are clear faves to win another tournament. Meanwhile the real fans are in various states of cognitive dissonance.

Scots: daren't breathe a word as they know they could do it but won't. Scotland have a habit of promising and not delivering and their Jock straps are moistening by the minute.
English: World Class, No 2 side in the world, Harltey nailed on to be Lions mascot, unbeaten since the Big Bang blah blah blah, its theirs to lose right and rugby is the real loser.
Irish: feigning disinterest in the tournament as they know it comes down to 1 game for them and they lost to Scotland , are smarting from Lions being front and centre and have a nationwide collective sad on, as they're only really concerned about whether Gatland will drop O ' Driscoll from the Lions tour this year.
France: With their Gallic flair almost terminally absent from their rugby anymore they are also in a collective sulk. C'est merde.
Italy: Finally have acknowledged they are really poor so have invented a new game. And still lost.
Wales: Nothing new here, roller coaster rugby, feast and famine, swings and roundabouts, horse and cart, dog and duck. Apparently Howley is going to take next season off to do a season as Stan Laurel at Blackpool theatre (with WRU support)

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 10:52

Gooseberry wrote:Don't worry I'm sure Wayne Barnes will do something controversial enough ...like getting the laws right ...to reignite the handbags

He usually does get them right for one team anyway.

by SecretFly Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:07

GunsGermsV2 wrote:
Gooseberry wrote:Don't worry I'm sure Wayne Barnes will do something controversial enough ...like getting the laws right ...to reignite the handbags

He usually does get them right for one team anyway.

Good riposte Guns.

Over to you, Goose. Do you raise or fold?

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:37

That sucks that Trimble is out for the rest of the tournament. He is our best winger.

by Luckless Pedestrian Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:38

Would Gilroy take his place?

by **rodders** Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:53

I'm guess Payne will slip in there at 13 with Ringrose dropping to the bench.

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:57

George Carlin wrote:
Gwlad wrote:This is the problem when the real rugby fans like those from Wales aren't in the hunt. its so rare these days that when it does happen the whole tourney takes a hit.

Seriously though the real reason the 6 Nations isn't that good this year is because there is no passion in English rugby and sadly they are clear faves to win another tournament. Meanwhile the real fans are in various states of cognitive dissonance.

Scots: daren't breathe a word as they know they could do it but won't. Scotland have a habit of promising and not delivering and their Jock straps are moistening by the minute.
English: World Class, No 2 side in the world, Harltey nailed on to be Lions mascot, unbeaten since the Big Bang blah blah blah, its theirs to lose right and rugby is the real loser.
Irish: feigning disinterest in the tournament as they know it comes down to 1 game for them and they lost to Scotland , are smarting from Lions being front and centre and have a nationwide collective sad on, as they're only really concerned about whether Gatland will drop O ' Driscoll from the Lions tour this year.
France: With their Gallic flair almost terminally absent from their rugby anymore they are also in a collective sulk. C'est merde.
Italy: Finally have acknowledged they are really poor so have invented a new game. And still lost.
Wales: Nothing new here, roller coaster rugby, feast and famine, swings and roundabouts, horse and cart, dog and duck. Apparently Howley is going to take next season off to do a season as Stan Laurel at Blackpool theatre (with WRU support)

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 11:58

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Would Gilroy take his place?

I think Bowe was drafted in.

by TightHEAD Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:15

Best of luck to..........................................Wales.

Go on lads.

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:19

TightHEAD wrote:Best of luck to..........................................Wales.

Go on lads.

Best of luck to...........................................Scotland.

Go on lads.

by SecretFly Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:33

TightHEAD wrote:Best of luck to..........................................Wales.

Go on lads.

How much valium had you to take to get that down in print Tight? Wink

by Mad for Chelsea Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:35

Am I right in saying that if Wales win this one and England beat Scotland, then England will have won the title with a game to spare? Barring something odd like Ireland taking two BPs in a losing cause (if Ireland score 4 tries they'll most probably win), which would still give them a chance of finishing level on points with England, not sure what's the first tie-breaker? Is it still points difference?

by SecretFly Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:40

I think you're right Mad...but damn it, hold off on those shirts! Don't jinx it.

by Scottrf Mon 06 Mar 2017, 12:41

Mad for Chelsea wrote:Am I right in saying that if Wales win this one and England beat Scotland, then England will have won the title with a game to spare? Barring something odd like Ireland taking two BPs in a losing cause (if Ireland score 4 tries they'll most probably win), which would still give them a chance of finishing level on points with England, not sure what's the first tie-breaker? Is it still points difference?

I believe it's PD yes, but it's something they omit on the 6N website.

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:00

I heard it was points difference.

by TightHEAD Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:26

SecretFly wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Best of luck to..........................................Wales.

Go on lads.

How much valium had you to take to get that down in print Tight?

Everyone loves an underdog.

by Guest Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:39

GunsGermsV2 wrote:I heard it was points difference.

We'd use points difference? As in 'total points for and against' difference? i.e. the thing we had before bonus points to tell us who won when teams were tied on championship points? That would make a mockery of the bonus points system in its first year then!

by Scottrf Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:40

Griff wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:I heard it was points difference.

We'd use points difference? As in 'total points for and against' difference? i.e. the thing we had before bonus points to tell us who won when teams were tied on championship points? That would make a mockery of the bonus points system in its first year then!

Why? It's still based on points first, including bonus points...

by Guest Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:49

Scottrf wrote:
Griff wrote:
GunsGermsV2 wrote:I heard it was points difference.

We'd use points difference? As in 'total points for and against' difference? i.e. the thing we had before bonus points to tell us who won when teams were tied on championship points? That would make a mockery of the bonus points system in its first year then!
Why? It's still based on points first, including bonus points...

Because it shows that we didn't need bonus points in the first place. Just score as many points during the match as possible, while conceding as few as possible to get the biggest points difference.

Edit: in fact, I'd argue that it could be counter productive (in terms of increasing the entertainment value, if that's what BPs were introduced for). Previously a team might try to get a cricket score to make sure they had a good points difference. Cue 'entertainment'. Now, when they get to 4 tries and the BP then their work is done. If that happens in the first half then what's the incentive to 'entertain' in the 2nd half?

by GunsGermsV2 Mon 06 Mar 2017, 13:56

Well we ll knew we didnt need bonus points. It was a silly idea.

Unless England win the grand slam there is a good chance the championship will come down to points difference.

by Mad for Chelsea Mon 06 Mar 2017, 14:02

If anything it's worse now, you could conceivably have Ireland winning the championship despite winning fewer games than Scotland/England...

by SecretFly Mon 06 Mar 2017, 14:04

Mad for Chelsea wrote:If anything it's worse now, you could conceivably have Ireland winning the championship despite winning fewer games than Scotland/England...

??? Could you?

by Sponsored content