[2015 Six Nations] Wales vs Ireland (Round 4)

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

My favourite game every year. Englands two fiercest rivals hatin' on each other for a change, whilst we catch a breather against the Sweaties.

 

[bw245]

Wales Online have picked up on Neil Francis' article about Warren Gatland. Rob Howley (Wales assistant coach) has called it a personal attack on Gatland and that it's completely unfair. While I agree that Neil Francis is an eejit and should never have been silly enough to say some of that stuff, don't think Howley should have commented on it. Leave it to the pundits. Going to be uproar over it anyway.

 

[goodNumber10]

Wales Online have picked up on Neil Francis' article about Warren Gatland. Rob Howley (Wales assistant coach) has called it a personal attack on Gatland and that it's completely unfair. While I agree that Neil Francis is an eejit and should never have been silly enough to say some of that stuff, don't think Howley should have commented on it. Leave it to the pundits. Going to be uproar over it anyway.

“You have to experience the Lions to understand the Lions. I am not too sure if Neil Francis was a Lion."

owned

To be fair i think Howley is fair enough, he doesn't say much other than it's really disappointing that people make personal attacks on people instead of keeping it rugby.

 

[munstermuffin]

I for once feel dodgy about this game. I think Wales are going in with a chip on their shoulder and a "us against the world" mentality. That before you factor in a Welsh crowd. I think this will be our biggest away game under Schmidt so far too. Regards team there's no surprises. Jones at 23 was always case as he's a Schmidt type of player. I think Earls and Fitz have proven they should possibly be in 23 but Earls was told he wouldn't see 6 Nations as he's to concentrate on staying fit. So maybe Fitz is in same boat.

 

[bw245]

I for once feel dodgy about this game. I think Wales are going in with a chip on their shoulder and a "us against the world" mentality. That before you factor in a Welsh crowd. I think this will be our biggest away game under Schmidt so far too. Regards team there's no surprises. Jones at 23 was always case as he's a Schmidt type of player. I think Earls and Fitz have proven they should possibly be in 23 but Earls was told he wouldn't see 6 Nations as he's to concentrate on staying fit. So maybe Fitz is in same boat.

Have to agree. The only away games we've played under Schmidt (excluding the summer series) is England, France and Italy. Lost the england match, very nearly lost the French and didn't do too good against Italy. It's going to be very very tough and I think Wales are up for this. Hoping I am surprised like I was last year when I thought Wales would hammer us.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

They have the team to win it handy to be honest, keep the discipline and they'll be fine. The backline is big enough to handle the Welsh one 685kg to 668kg in favor of the Welsh, taken from the WRU site and the Irish players' clubs sites. They won't be overpowered in the pack and Webb and Biggar won't manage the game as well as Murray and Sexton. Wales will have to play out of their skin and Ireland will have to be a bit off the pace here for anything other than an Irish win. I do think Wales are going to play well, they seem to be saying all the right **** in the media for once but I think due to Ireland's form and the fact the team is used to getting the W it'll be Ireland by 5+.

 

[munstermuffin]

They have the team to win it handy to be honest, keep the discipline and they'll be fine. The backline is big enough to handle the Welsh one 685kg to 668kg in favor of the Welsh, taken from the WRU site and the Irish players' clubs sites. They won't be overpowered in the pack and Webb and Biggar won't manage the game as well as Murray and Sexton. Wales will have to play out of their skin and Ireland will have to be a bit off the pace here for anything other than an Irish win. I do think Wales are going to play well, they seem to be saying all the right **** in the media for once but I think due to Ireland's form and the fact the team is used to getting the W it'll be Ireland by 5+.

If we loose it's not due to poor selections or anything. But this could be the hungriest team we have met. And all it takes is 1 or 2 guys to have bad day for things to crumble. I hope we win and agree with everything you've said except Wales have tools to beat us and it'll be tight

 

[dullonien]

They have the team to win it handy to be honest, keep the discipline and they'll be fine. The backline is big enough to handle the Welsh one 685kg to 668kg in favor of the Welsh, taken from the WRU site and the Irish players' clubs sites. They won't be overpowered in the pack and Webb and Biggar won't manage the game as well as Murray and Sexton. Wales will have to play out of their skin and Ireland will have to be a bit off the pace here for anything other than an Irish win. I do think Wales are going to play well, they seem to be saying all the right **** in the media for once but I think due to Ireland's form and the fact the team is used to getting the W it'll be Ireland by 5+.

I don't agree that it will take Wales playing out of their skin, coupled with Ireland underperforming, for Wales to win. If both sides play well, it'll be tight as hell, if one plays marginally better, they'll win.

Ireland go in as slight favourites due to their 10 match winning streak.

 

[munstermuffin]

I don't agree that it will take Wales playing out of their skin, coupled with Ireland underperforming, for Wales to win. If both sides play well, it'll be tight as hell, if one plays marginally better, they'll win.

Ireland go in as slight favourites due to their 10 match winning streak.

I think this is as accurate as you can put it. There's plenty of talent on that Welsh team to hurt us and well part of my fear is mixture of being away, our gameplan meaning if we fall behind and as I said a Welsh team with a chip on shoulder. They might never say it but they are hurting badly from last year

 

[profitius]

They have the team to win it handy to be honest, keep the discipline and they'll be fine. The backline is big enough to handle the Welsh one 685kg to 668kg in favor of the Welsh, taken from the WRU site and the Irish players' clubs sites. They won't be overpowered in the pack and Webb and Biggar won't manage the game as well as Murray and Sexton. Wales will have to play out of their skin and Ireland will have to be a bit off the pace here for anything other than an Irish win. I do think Wales are going to play well, they seem to be saying all the right **** in the media for once but I think due to Ireland's form and the fact the team is used to getting the W it'll be Ireland by 5+.

Good summary.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I think this is the closest match up of the tournament so far from 1-15. (Englands team were stronger in some areas weaker in others). I think, however, we have the edge in the crucial areas of the pitch - that being up front and in the half backs.
Wales have a more dominant midfield but I feel the times of boshing your way over our centres is over and Henshaw / Payne will just about defensively handle it.

Back row will be crucial, Irelands' back row is far more consistent, but if the Welsh back row show up I think the result of the game might hinge on that. I hope Lydiate comes into serious form again, he's a pleasure to watch (just not against Ireland please ).

 

[bw245]

I think what you see is what you get with Wales. However, when they're good, they're very very good. There won't be many surprises on Saturday. This Welsh team is solid and are the best team we've had to face so far in terms of kicking game, and Ireland know that. They're expecting Ireland to kick, and we probably will kick, but Joe hinted today at the press conference that we might see more of an exciting game, which could mean a different game plan. Going to be tight anyway. Home advantage for Wales and having confidence in an already unreal team are crucial for Wales. Bench will play a big part too. Very exciting.

I went out and bought the new 3 jersey today. 80 quid, let's hope it's a good omen!!

- - - Updated - - -

In Joe we trust.

 

[LiRFCMatt]

Our composite side for the fixture can be found here: http://fourballsblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/wales-and-ireland-composite-side.html

It is as follows;

McGrath
Best
Lee
AWJ
POC
POM
Warburton
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
North
Roberts
Davies
Williams
Kearney

Let us know what you think!

 

[bw245]

Our composite side for the fixture can be found here: http://fourballsblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/wales-and-ireland-composite-side.html

It is as follows;

McGrath
Best
Lee
AWJ
POC
POM
Warburton
Faletau
Murray
Sexton
North
Roberts
Davies
Williams
Kearney

Let us know what you think!

Agree with almost everything, but Bowe in for Williams

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's amazing how orange Kearney is in that pic.

 

[lynam1104]

I reckon this Welsh team is best placed in order to counter the game that this Irish have been playing so far in this championship. Williams despite being a prick has been playing very well and gives their back 3 extras ariel expertise which is a good way to counter the Sexton-Muarry kicking game. Centres and North are also scary- I think Robbie and Payne will be able to chop them down but not before Roberts gets a head of steam and the Welsh get quick ball. I think Ireland have the edge upfront but not by a whole lot and Wales may just pip us in the backs if they fire.

Predicting a really tight exciting game.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Ireland by 25.

 

[welshglory]

Mcbryde and Gatland have better been kicking the boys up the arse during the week to make sure we get quick ball.

Get North, Roberts and Faletau into the game and make sure Davies, Halfpenny and Williams are supporting well.

Thats the only we can counter this Irish team. If we get into an arm wrestle territorial kicking match we will struggle.

 

[Maverick1987]

Ireland by 25.

Haha legend .....

 

[Maverick1987]

owned

To be fair i think Howley is fair enough, he doesn't say much other than it's really disappointing that people make personal attacks on people instead of keeping it rugby.

You got a link for this ?

Also on the nepotism row ... I'm not so sure it was that now . I think in the second test we performed fairly poorly and Gatland went back to his tried and tested partnerships. To be fair BOD had hardly set the world on fire during the first 2 tests . General consensus would probably have been that Davies had outplayed him during in the first 2 tests . Seems to me like this bloke had an axe to grind against Gatland over the lions and strangely chose now to do it