[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 4: Wales v Ireland (11/02/2017)

[welshoptimist]

I think Payne would've been 23 if fit. Maybe still possibility. I have to say though (and this isn't Munster bias) if anyone deserved a cap and earned it Andrew Conway does. And he's a typical Joe Schmidt guy. A work horse that will fight for everything.
Gilroy issue confuses me. Gets a hat-trick and all of a sudden is frozen out.
The big question is if Payne returns next week do we sacrifice Ringrose or Kearney

ringrose, amazing prospect but I really rate Kearney , feel he gets undue criticism, awesome positionally

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I think Payne would've been 23 if fit. Maybe still possibility. I have to say though (and this isn't Munster bias) if anyone deserved a cap and earned it Andrew Conway does. And he's a typical Joe Schmidt guy. A work horse that will fight for everything.
Gilroy issue confuses me. Gets a hat-trick and all of a sudden is frozen out.
The big question is if Payne returns next week do we sacrifice Ringrose or Kearney

Ringrose to 23 would be my call, we struggled badly when Scotland attacked with width and last week when Kearney's kick defence was missed. We can start to phase Kearney out in the summer, not while there's a cahmpionship and top seeding at an RWC to play for.

 

[munstermuffin]

Ringrose to 23 would be my call, we struggled badly when Scotland attacked with width and last week when Kearney's kick defence was missed. We can start to phase Kearney out in the summer, not while there's a cahmpionship and top seeding at an RWC to play for.

My issue is and we are both in agreement Kearney won't be a starter come next year. Maybe not done but there's too many alternatives even Carbery. I just don't want it done in a way that may hit Ringrose confidence if it is him. Now I've read about him being dropped alot in past for teams so he is resilient. Like it is a toss up as if Ringrose starts v England and defensively is an issue it could hit confidence too.
Would probably edge the same as you but equally I hope Payne is well up to speed as it will be needed. A 6Nations intensity is not where you feel your way back

 

[dullonien]

I agree, but id have a mix, davies at 10, bigger at 12, giles on the wing, btw what has happened to hallum amos? not to sure about steff evans though, never really rated him

Amos long term injured. Never recovered from that popped shoulder v England in the WC, although I think he did make a comeback, but injured again.

Not sure why you 'don't rate' Steff Evans? He's top of the attacking stats in the Pro12 + his defense isn't a weakness unlike North and Cuthbert. Certainly not the finished article, and not as devastating a runner as Giles, but ATM he's probably a little further along the development line.

 

[Groundhog]

Alright boys this is the big challenge. Quite worried about this out of the two remaining fixtures honestly, as we're away here, and I think England will still be holding their ankles after the reaming they're expecting/half hoping for against Scotland this weekend, so they should leave us a nice big opening to just slip in. Will be worth nothing if we lose this week though.

 

[welshoptimist]

Amos long term injured. Never recovered from that popped shoulder v England in the WC, although I think he did make a comeback, but injured again.

Not sure why you 'don't rate' Steff Evans? He's top of the attacking stats in the Pro12 + his defense isn't a weakness unlike North and Cuthbert. Certainly not the finished article, and not as devastating a runner as Giles, but ATM he's probably a little further along the development line.

that's a shame, amos seemed to have a cool head on him for a young player,
I didn't realise his stats were so high in the pro 12, I guess I have watched him a few times and seen him score some great tries, but not so much against the bigger teams, think we have just been spoilt the last few years when north and Cuthbert were lions, and destroying defences for fun. also on a side note think its a shame dan evens from the ospreys hasn't had a shout yet, and james davies! who was excellent in the Olympics, and had been great for the scarlets the last couple of seasons, another idea id be tempted to put into practice is playing 2 7's like Australia used too, because we don't have an excellent old fashioned 6 anymore

 

[dullonien]

that's a shame, amos seemed to have a cool head on him for a young player,
I didn't realise his stats were so high in the pro 12, I guess I have watched him a few times and seen him score some great tries, but not so much against the bigger teams, think we have just been spoilt the last few years when north and Cuthbert were lions, and destroying defences for fun. also on a side note think its a shame dan evens from the ospreys hasn't had a shout yet, and james davies! who was excellent in the Olympics, and had been great for the scarlets the last couple of seasons, another idea id be tempted to put into practice is playing 2 7's like Australia used too, because we don't have an excellent old fashioned 6 anymore

I personally agree with the Wales management re Dan Evans. Excellent regional player, but Imo would struggle at international level, same with Phil Dolman who consistently plays well for Exeter. Dan Evans looked poor under pressure v Edinburgh last weekend, while Sam Davies was finding grass with his kicks, Evans was hoofing the ball straight down their throats. He can also be a little shaky under the high ball.

Cubbi Boi needs a little more maturing time. He's an excellent prospect, along with Young, but he can be a little hot headed, and considering the depth we have at 7 (shouldn't forget Ellis Jenkins or Griffiths either), I can understand why he's not involved with Wales yet. We're already playing dual opensises in the form of Warbs and Tips, who need more time bedding in as a partnership. Either that or we move Moriarty back to his best position on the blindside, Faletau at 8 and let the hoard of 7's battle it out.

 

[welshoptimist]

I personally agree with the Wales management re Dan Evans. Excellent regional player, but Imo would struggle at international level, same with Phil Dolman who consistently plays well for Exeter. Dan Evans looked poor under pressure v Edinburgh last weekend, while Sam Davies was finding grass with his kicks, Evans was hoofing the ball straight down their throats. He can also be a little shaky under the high ball.

Cubbi Boi needs a little more maturing time. He's an excellent prospect, along with Young, but he can be a little hot headed, and considering the depth we have at 7 (shouldn't forget Ellis Jenkins or Griffiths either), I can understand why he's not involved with Wales yet. We're already playing dual opensises in the form of Warbs and Tips, who need more time bedding in as a partnership. Either that or we move Moriarty back to his best position on the blindside, Faletau at 8 and let the hoard of 7's battle it out.

he definitely has discipline problems, I agree with a lot of that tbh, I'm not too sure about warburton though, seems like Cardiff lately turn great players into mediocre ones,
with all the 7's that we have I think id like to see warburton on the bench, brought on for impact

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Wow the Welsh team is even more depressing than we could have imagined. Ball over Charteris, Moriarty over Falateu. Dear oh dear!

 

[Goodey]

@welshrugbyUnion 6m6 minutes ago

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Wales name unchanged match day squad to face @IrishRugby Justin Tipuric to win his 50th cap #WALvIRE

- - - Updated - - -

you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Rob Howley says you don't become a bad team over night and I for one agree with him. However Wales have been becoming a bad team over the last 3 years!

Not saying these players can't win, but there's no foundations in place for the future without blooded new players . Not surprised by this decision though.

 

[Groundhog]

Oof won't count them out but the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over and blah blah blah. That team is riding low on confidence and need a few changes. Losing at home to Scotland and then not reacting in any visible way isn't acceptable.

 

[MikeTheNative]

I think I've just worked out what's going on. Howley is playing the ultimate Number 2 role and intentionally getting the team to lose. This is so when Gatland comes back he instantly makes the team better and they actually look quite good in the AI's and then next 6 nations. He then gets offered the All Blacks job he has wnated on the back of this 'miraculous' turn around.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Oof won't count them out but the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over and blah blah blah. That team is riding low on confidence and need a few changes. Losing at home to Scotland and then not reacting in any visible way isn't acceptable.

Scotland away, but yeah the point still stands. They atleast need a bit of fear to know that if they don't perform, it doesn't matter who they are, they are in danger of being dropped. There's none of that. There's no competition for places, no fear.
I don't doubt they're proud to play for their country but it doesn't seem as though they're too bothered about below par performances or losing . If they dont perform they know they'll have another chance and another. There's no internal pressure on them!

 

[Groundhog]

Possible Irish team from the 42
Possible Ireland team (v Wales):
15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best (captain)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. CJ Stander
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Niall Scannell
17. Cian Healy
18. John Ryan
19. Iain Henderson
20. Peter O'Mahony
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Paddy Jackson
23. Andrew Conway/Jared Payne

Payne not ready to start but probably has the versatility to make up for it from a selection standpoint.

 

[MojoPin]

Tragic that Howley has brought out all the old cliches in justifying his selections. It's like he doesn't realize how many times he's said it before. I really do think there is a very real possibility that we won't win any more matches in this tournament and if that happens then Howley has to go. I never *want* Wales to lose and I'm always an optimist, but I am really, really struggling to go into this match with anything other than a sense of foreboding. There's always a chance that the team will have a big game, but it would take a serious slip up for Ireland to lose, I think.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Ha, it's going to kick off big time when VC and the BigaRena see this team announcement.
Not that I can blame them.

Incidentally, the next coach or pundit to say "We don't become a bad team overnight" needs to be taken out and shot. Such a tired old cliched saying meant to distract from the longer term nature of the decline.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Ireland should be firm favourites here but I could see Wales nicking this purely as a way of keeping Howley in contention for succeeding Gatland. If Wales play like they did against England then this is a 50/50 for me. But I don't think they will.

Ireland by 8

 

[MikeTheNative]

Tragic that Howley has brought out all the old cliches in justifying his selections. It's like he doesn't realize how many times he's said it before. I really do think there is a very real possibility that we won't win any more matches in this tournament and if that happens then Howley has to go. I never *want* Wales to lose and I'm always an optimist, but I am really, really struggling to go into this match with anything other than a sense of foreboding. There's always a chance that the team will have a big game, but it would take a serious slip up for Ireland to lose, I think.

I don't want Wales to lose but I understand that it might be the only way that the WRU may make a change. There's nothing more to say about the team selection really other than what has been said the weeks previous.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Ireland should be firm favourites here but I could see Wales nicking this purely as a way of keeping Howley in contention for succeeding Gatland. If Wales play like they did against England then this is a 50/50 for me. But I don't think they will.

Ireland by 8

No one plays like they do vs England!