Wales v Ireland 6N Championship Saturday 4th February 2023

Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 4 February Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Wales: L Williams; Adams, North, Hawkins, Dyer; Biggar, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Morgan, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Baldwin, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Webb, O Williams, Cuthbert.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Sexton, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; Beirne, Ryan; O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Henderson, Conan, Murray, Byrne, Aki.

Thought I'd set up a match thread.

A Munster supporter told me earlier in the week that Ireland haven't won in Cardiff for 10 years. That blew my mind a bit, I had no idea it had been that long!

They have but not in the six nations. Yeah its a long time.

Ah that's what it is. Still, I would never have said it had been that long. It probably has a lot to do with the provinces winning over here so often.

Cardiff used to be a happy hunting ground, I didn't realise it was 10 years.
I think it's time to put that right  and reset the counter to 0.

Firstly I'm hoping to hear a huge rendition of 'Delilah', it's not controversial, it does not support violence of any kind. It's just a song that has a story within. Sing it loud Welsh fans.

Secondly I'm hoping that's the last moment you all get to smile for the full 80 mins. You'll see Ireland winning the game and you'll laugh no more!!!

Edit:

I forgot my third hope or in this case a wish. I wish Eddie Butler was commentating.

Yeah agree, sing Delilah with gusto, nothing is safe from woke nerds anymore. Why, why, why??

Some of our losses in Wales were a bit dodgy with practically the same ref for every game, that should never happen. Most in fairness though were good Wales wins.

It's Karl Dickson for this one, he's not the best of the English referees, but I have no major beef with him. There was that issue with Owen Farrell not long ago though, I'm not sure he handled that properly.

It's baffling that Dickson is allowed to referee Premiership games, never mind internationals.

The underdogs v the best team in the World. I am not very excited, but I am sure that will change come Saturday.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiioooooooooo.

Halfpenny out, Liam to start.

Oakdene wrote:Halfpenny out, Liam to start.

Gatland trickery

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 25 caps
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 8 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 47 caps
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 9 caps
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 15 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 109 caps (c)
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 23 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 27 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 36 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 89 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 45 caps
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 23 caps

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 31 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 121 caps
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 4 caps
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 68 caps
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 33 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 100 caps
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 4 caps
23. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 41 caps

No Furlong is a big loss, he'd be a big loss to any side in the world but Bealham won't let the side down.

Bar that it's as expected, even big Stu at 12 which is very much the right selection.

COYBIG

This should be an interesting game. On paper Ireland should win no problem. But over the years Wales have been  a real struggle for Ireland especialy in  Wales.

Gatland v Farrell who will win?

I see a lot of people basing their predictions based on Wales games versus Italy and Georgia. Those days are gone folks, the days of winning ways are back. No Furlong is massive, decent replacements but that’s not something to be underestimated.

Going to stick a tenner on a draw here.

mikey_dragon wrote:I see a lot of people basing their predictions based on Wales games versus Italy and Georgia. Those days are gone folks, the days of winning ways are back. No Furlong is massive, decent replacements but that’s not something to be underestimated.

I'll tell you who won't be looking at how Wales faired against Italy and Georgia. Ireland!!!
Wales at home in the 6 nations resets everything because it's Wales in Cardiff. Nobody will underestimate that Welsh side and the Gats factor only adds to it.

I reckon it'll be a squeaky bum finish for both sets of fans. Ireland by a nose I reckon but I won't be betting a penny.

Oakdene wrote:Going to stick a tenner on a draw here.

Could be a shrewd move, I might go there myself

Ireland to win by 15. Ireland werent great in November but I can see them getting off to a flier here.

Collapse2005 wrote:Ireland to win by 15. Ireland werent great in November but I can see them getting off to a flier here.

I really do hope so, I'm not really up for having my nerves shredded tomorrow. So excited !!

Aside from Woodward I haven't seen a single media or rugby pundit say this will be anything but a comfortable win for Ireland.

I'll be honest Ireland are favorites but I will have a punt on a Welsh win here given the odds.  Think some of these +15 point predictions of Ireland wins is a bit premature.  They haven't won there in years in the 6 Nations so even if they win I can't see it be that comfortable.  Don't get me wrong they could blow Wales away and if they were playing in Ireland I would be certain of it.  

But it is in Wales and aside from the All Blacks we don't tend to get pasted there.

It would have been a comfortable Ireland win in the last game in Cardiff if Ireland had not got a red card. The Cardiff record isn't the be all and end all. Yes Im guilty of writing off Wales again but this time they really arent showing much at all to suggest they can dominate Ireland aside from a fairly decent backrow.

Collapse2005 wrote:It would have been a comfortable Ireland win in the last game in Cardiff if Ireland had not got a red card. The Cardiff record isn't the be all and end all. Yes Im guilty of writing off Wales again but this time they really arent showing much at all to suggest they can dominate Ireland aside from a fairly decent backrow.

And yet it will be a key part of the game.  If wales win there they will in principle slow Irelands ball down.  And our back row is more than capable of doing that.  No Furlong either and given the Ospreys in the scrum its another area I would Wales to target.  

Of course Ireland are still favorites but I dont think its as comfortable as everyone will make it out to be.

All im saying is I rarely bet on Rugby but at 3 to 1 odds ill take a punt on this one.

Collapse2005 wrote:It would have been a comfortable Ireland win in the last game in Cardiff if Ireland had not got a red card. The Cardiff record isn't the be all and end all. Yes Im guilty of writing off Wales again but this time they really arent showing much at all to suggest they can dominate Ireland aside from a fairly decent backrow.

Not watched much of the Ospreys then?

It's going to be a little kick in the stomach when I watch tomorrow and there's no Eddie Butler.

Oakdene wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:It would have been a comfortable Ireland win in the last game in Cardiff if Ireland had not got a red card. The Cardiff record isn't the be all and end all. Yes Im guilty of writing off Wales again but this time they really arent showing much at all to suggest they can dominate Ireland aside from a fairly decent backrow.

Not watched much of the Ospreys then?

Ah yeah I have and there is plenty to like about them but to be fair a weakened Leinster team beat them in Wales recently. No sexton, Doris, Vdf, Henshaw, Ringrose, Porter, Gibson Park nor Furlong etc.

Regional form doesn’t mean a lot with Wales, but I think it is going to be very helpful that they’re much better than last season.

Excuse my ignorance Ireland are number one team in the wirld right now.

How can they be number one team in the world wjen they have not won a RWX?

Welshmushroom wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:It would have been a comfortable Ireland win in the last game in Cardiff if Ireland had not got a red card. The Cardiff record isn't the be all and end all. Yes Im guilty of writing off Wales again but this time they really arent showing much at all to suggest they can dominate Ireland aside from a fairly decent backrow.

And yet it will be a key part of the game.  If wales win there they will in principle slow Irelands ball down.  And our back row is more than capable of doing that.  No Furlong either and given the Ospreys in the scrum its another area I would Wales to target.  

Of course Ireland are still favorites but I dont think its as comfortable as everyone will make it out to be.

Who is making it out as being a comfortable win for Ireland out of interest? Genuine question as I don't follow mainstream rugby journalists. This will be a dogfight.

Many fans (not all Irish) seem to think it’s a walk-in. A lot predicting us to finish 5th as well. I can’t see either of those happening. I can’t help but think it’s based on the Italy and Georgia games. Pivac is gone, you should see a vast improvement.

One thing I didnt realise was how good Wales' all time record v France is. Its practically 50/50

Not sure, but I assume you’re not talking about u20 level. At any level for all time, it seems to be the French we fight with the most.

No senior level, Wales have won 51 France 48

Gibson Park and Healy both out for Ireland.
Connor Murray starts. Should be an advantage for Welsh back row. Slower ball should be an extra
second in defense, but undoubtedly more box kicks will be going up.

How much of a b;ow wi;; it be fpr Ireland loosing Gibson park before kick off?

Good start for Ireland, long way to go though. No reds please.

Jiffy - that’s a knock on

TMO - there is no clear evidence of a knock on

This might get ugly for Wales really need to go for the jugular now.

Davies, who earlier wanted Wales to push it rather than take the three, is now criticising Wales for 'pushing it'.

That was really poor from Biggar

Rubbish, no idea what they’re trying to do? Biggar having a shocker. Dickson not much better…

Yeah he totally Camille Chat the bed

Is it just me or has Justin Tipurec grown his hair to disguise the fact he has aged about 10 years since the spring?
He appears to have lost any upper body muscle mass that he once had, he actually looks ill.

Gats needs to make a few changes. Not sure what can make a difference as he set us up for this with the match day squad he picked. I was wrong to say this would be better post-Pivac! Ffs. I think Ireland are solid and unspectacular, just in third gear as required. They hold possession very well. Their carriers are much better.

Poor half from Wales who look really unsure about what they're meant to be doing to be honest. Having watched Wales look organised and threatening for most of my adult life this side looks pale in comparison. That said, I think they will play better in the second half and will grow into this tournament. Perhaps this is as bad as it will get for Wales.

mikey_dragon wrote:Gats needs to make a few changes. Not sure what can make a difference as he set us up for this with the match day squad he picked. I was wrong to say this would be better post-Pivac! Ffs. I think Ireland are solid and unspectacular, just in third gear as required. They hold possession very well. Their carriers are much better.

To be fair to Gatland its very hard to come together in your first match in charge, not over yet.

Penalty for red is ridiculous Wales were all over Porter on the ground

Porter dived on him after a try was scored…