[2025 Six Nations] Wales vs Ireland - 22/02/25

[dirty harry]

1. What are you on about? Gareth Thomas is an average player at best, who was OK vs Atonio who's picked for his size in the loose, not his scrummaging. Thomas was poor v Italy. Nicky Smith is a better player, and was consistently picked ahead of Thomas for the Ospreys before leaving for Leicester.

Dee is a far better player than a hooker who's barely out of nappies. He has potential, but Dee is a proven performer who will shure up our lineout.

Tighthead is meh regardless. Assume Bomb has had input here, so I'll trust his judgement.

2. Agree fully, Rowlands has been **** poor for a long while now!

3. I like Edwards, earn't his place in the squad and will hopefully develop into our future 10. But we will ruin him if he's just thrown into the side to sink and swim, let him develop at a natural pace.

Jarrod should have lots more caps by now, great attacking player who's capable of unlocking defenses. So happy to finally see him get his opportunity as Pivac and then Gats have inexplicably ignored him despite the dearth of options! At 28 he's a great age, and would complement Dan Edwards well at 21 y/o.

4. Adams has been pretty poor thus far this campeign. Don't blame him at all for those missed try's as conditions were terrible, but his yellow card was poor for a senior player like him. Mee has been very good for Scarlets, Rogers looks class, and Murray was excellent v Italy.

5. I'd also like to see Rogers given his chsnce at fullback, I think that's his best position. However, Murray waa excellent there v Italy, so can understand why he's earn't another go.

Gareth Thomas will win player of the year at Ospreys this season, he's been the corner stone of their pack. Antonio offers nothing around the park BTW, he's near 150kg and is there for his size. Thomas gave away 30kg to Antonio lol

Don't get me wrong, I reckon Bomb is a rare positive for Wales, our scrum is far better than it deserves to be, especially with Lloyd, Assiratti and Co in there. And I'll agree with you Smith is a superior all round player than Thomas, my gripe is the wholesale changes of the front row, not individuals, especially considering Dee and John have played little through injury, it's asking for trouble.

I'd also agree, given the state of welsh 10s Evans probably should have a few more caps, but he's just so small and feeble, like Sheedy. Like I said, that last caps for both were against Argentina in 21, Sheedy was ran over for 2 tries, and Evans tried twice to give the game away. Neither could unlock a 14 man defence after 20 min red card. Neither are up to Int standard. I'd like to ease Edward's in with 6 off the bench appearances, a start or 2 against lower level opposition and then easing into the starter position, but we don't have the time for that, or the players in front of him. Right now he's probably as good as any other welsh 10, and is the only one guaranteed to be around for the next RWC, in a team that won't win a game until the summer.

Re Adam's, he's been poor because, and I can't believe I have to constantly say thos, he isn't fit. He's just returned from a big injury, and looks half the player he was 2 years ago. He's shouldnt have made the squad really.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Now I'll agree with that, he should have been nailed down and built an attacking game around. It's not that he's a bad player, and he was mismanaged, but at 29, playing a bit part role at his club, he's just not good enough for international rugby. I'd say the same about sheedy, Andrew Forde could put a compilation together of those 2 being run over at all levels.

I like Evans and would 100% be happy if he returned to Cardiff, infact I'd prefer him over Lloyd honestly. But in this scenario, it makes absolutely 0 sense to throw him in. Especially when Anscombe is one broken nail from retirement, with no credible 10 options, we have to give Edward's gametime now, before we are left with a green Edwards playing a RWC group all or nothing vs Fiji in 2027.

Realistically Anscombe isn't going to get there, Evans and Sheedy aren't int quality (being that theyre 29 and have 20 odd caps between them)Ben Thomas has proved himself lacking, Owen Williams and Angus o brien aren't 10s, or international quality. So currently Edward's is in pole position, how about we cap him, give him 15 to 20 caps before then?!?! Surely that makes more sense than using 3 10s this year who won't go past this season! It's short term thinking.

But you've got to look at it from Sherratt's point of view, he's got the gig for 3 games and we're in the worst run in our history so he's not going to think about anything beyond the next 3 games, and rightly so.

 

[dirty harry]

But you've got to look at it from Sherratt's point of view, he's got the gig for 3 games and we're in the worst run in our history so he's not going to think about anything beyond the next 3 games, and rightly so.

I get it, and that's why I wouldn't have ripped him away from Cardiff, told everyone he doesn't stand a chance of getting it long term, and allowed him to bring in personel changes.

It just makes no sense, there are plenty of coaches who could have come in and kept the seat warm, not disrupted a region and allowed them to compete for the job at the same time. That would have allowed a longer term view, and disrupted less.

Sherat isn't going to win a game, Ireland and Scotland have way too many weapons, and England have too much power up front.

The selfish thing to do is throw the kitchen sink at all 3, the tougher option would have been to build toward the future.

I personally thought this was a chance to do both, get Lloyd, Freddie Thomas, Jenkins, Edward's, Thomas, Llewellyn / James, and Roger's all in the positions they're playing well in, and start what could be the spine of the team at 2027 RWC.

 

[dullonien]

For me it's at the expense of Anscombe that Edwards comes into the 23. Anscombe is right at the tail end of his career, with injuries and age really taking their toll recently. But I can understand the benefit of playing Anscombe short term to hopefully help us get out of this hole as we need some experience.

Jarrod is a good age for the next WC, and I'm very hopeful Edwards will also be pushing for that starting 10 spot well in advance of that too. There's not really any other options at present, so those 2 are the sensible choices to take us forward.

 

[The Seeker]

Wales have been practicing "your mother was a hamster" and other similar zingers to provoke the Irish into getting 10 red cards, then they might be able to scrape a draw.

..."and your father smelt of elderberries".

 

[BPM]

What's Sam Davies up to these days? I seem to recall Valley Commando telling us all he was going to be a future legend in his uniquely aggressive way.

Last I heard he was in France looking at a potential Premiership move but I think he stayed out there? Presumably doesn't have enough caps to be selected?

 

[Duct Tape]

..."and your father smelt of elderberries".

But hopefully no private parts will be waved at aunties on national TV.

 

[dirty harry]

For me it's at the expense of Anscombe that Edwards comes into the 23. Anscombe is right at the tail end of his career, with injuries and age really taking their toll recently. But I can understand the benefit of playing Anscombe short term to hopefully help us get out of this hole as we need some experience.

Jarrod is a good age for the next WC, and I'm very hopeful Edwards will also be pushing for that starting 10 spot well in advance of that too. There's not really any other options at present, so those 2 are the sensible choices to take us forward.

Is a 20 cap 31 year year old 5 foot 5 fly half really our best option for the 2027 RWC?

Especially considering his best skill is his running game in broken play, he'll be on the old side, with not enough caps, no RWC experience, and has to be hidden in defence. Even if he did have a top class kicking game, which he doesn't, that wouldn't make up for his deficiencies.

Team's don't win RWCs without experienced players, or players who have experience of knockout rugby, not that I'm claiming Wales will be targeting to win 2027, but they should be working toward winning 2031. Which means we need players experienced in knockout rugby in 2027...

Anscombe should have been selected originally, with Edward's behind him let's be honest

 

[dullonien]

Is a 20 cap 31 year year old 5 foot 5 fly half really our best option for the 2027 RWC?

Especially considering his best skill is his running game in broken play, he'll be on the old side, with not enough caps, no RWC experience, and has to be hidden in defence. Even if he did have a top class kicking game, which he doesn't, that wouldn't make up for his deficiencies.

Team's don't win RWCs without experienced players, or players who have experience of knockout rugby, not that I'm claiming Wales will be targeting to win 2027, but they should be working toward winning 2031. Which means we need players experienced in knockout rugby in 2027...

Anscombe should have been selected originally, with Edward's behind him let's be honest

Once again, you over exagerate his deficiencies. His defense was always decent, and very similar to Dan Edwards', smallish player who always fronts up, but may fall off the odd tackle.

Plenty of sides have managed well with similar defensively limited 10's, O'Gara, Ford two prime examples of worse defenders.

It's down towards the bottom of my list for important attributes I'm looking for in my 10. Nice bonus if they're good, but not end of the world if not.

31 is fine for a 10 at a WC.

If Dan Edwards is first choice (which is fine by me given time), who would be your 2nd/3rd choice building towards the WC then?

 

[BenniMarco]

Honestly think Costellow would be doing a lot better if he could have stayed away from internationals a bit longer - happy to see Edwards train with the team but he doesn't seem ready so let's not ruin the guy. Happy with Evans and Anscombe, and Edwards can make a late break for a world cup, plenty of time for that.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

What I will say for Sherrat particularly r.e the 10's. he's been brought in to try and get a result from 3 games. He's already said he won't be the HC long term so developing players for the future isn't part of his mandate. Right now GA and JE are better than DE

 

[Weldit]

Ireland will easily win this, but I'm just hoping we see something from Wales to show some sort of shape going forward. On which, I'm wondering if going for a known coach is a good option and maybe someone who has worked with the younger players would be a better fit. Bit like how Southgate worked with the u21 etc.

 

[dirty harry]

Once again, you over exagerate his deficiencies. His defense was always decent, and very similar to Dan Edwards', smallish player who always fronts up, but may fall off the odd tackle.

Plenty of sides have managed well with similar defensively limited 10's, O'Gara, Ford two prime examples of worse defenders.

It's down towards the bottom of my list for important attributes I'm looking for in my 10. Nice bonus if they're good, but not end of the world if not.

31 is fine for a 10 at a WC.

If Dan Edwards is first choice (which is fine by me given time), who would be your 2nd/3rd choice building towards the WC then?

Are you seriously saying Jarrod Evans is a 10 who 'fronts up' but 'falls off the odd tackle'?

I can promise you, as a Cardiff season ticket holder, who saw Evans week in week out, he is little more than a speed bump, Matthew Morgan esque.

He has what 9 caps, and 11 points, little more than 1 point per cap.

I agree defencive ability isn't top of the fly half list, but when you have to hide your 10 on the winge, and it disrupts your entire defence it's a problem. I've probably seen 80% of his professional appearances, and although I'd be happy with him at Cardoff, he will be nothing less than a liability against Ireland, I promise you!

 

[dirty harry]

Honestly think Costellow would be doing a lot better if he could have stayed away from internationals a bit longer - happy to see Edwards train with the team but he doesn't seem ready so let's not ruin the guy. Happy with Evans and Anscombe, and Edwards can make a late break for a world cup, plenty of time for that.

We are 2.5 years away from the next world cup, and you want the only viable option to be a 'late break'?

 

[dirty harry]

What I will say for Sherrat particularly r.e the 10's. he's been brought in to try and get a result from 3 games. He's already said he won't be the HC long term so developing players for the future isn't part of his mandate. Right now GA and JE are better than DE

Anscombe is... but there is 0 evidence that Evans is. He has had what 8 or 9 chances at int level, and failed 100% of the time.

I get Sherat isn't meant to build for the future, but the wholesale changes of the front row, the addition of Anscombe and Evans both attacking decision makers, who havnt trained with the squad, or in Evans case seen the squad in 4 years, is ludicrous

 

[dirty harry]

Ireland will easily win this, but I'm just hoping we see something from Wales to show some sort of shape going forward. On which, I'm wondering if going for a known coach is a good option and maybe someone who has worked with the younger players would be a better fit. Bit like how Southgate worked with the u21 etc.

Shape? What shape?

The attacking plan has been practised over the last 4 weeks... and now the starting and back up 10 havnt been part of that hahaha

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The attacking plan has been practised over the last 4 weeks... and now the starting and back up 10 havnt been part of that hahaha

Considering the Head Coach and Attack Coach have both been taken behind the barn, I think it's safe to assume there might have been some changes to the systems

 

[Reiser99]

I honestly don't see a good solution unfortunately. I know some Welsh fans just want to see any improvement, others desperately want a win to get the monkey off the back and some feel that Wales should accept some short term pain to build for the next WC and hope that by then the team has improved enough to stand a chance. I'm not sure what's best because Wales can't keep losing like this. As far as I can see, after this Wales have 2 games against Japan, then Argentina, Japan again, NZ and SA. At the moment, Japan are the only team they are likely to beat. However, I feel if they could beat Japan in the summer then it might give Wales some momentum to potentially upset Argentina. Unfortunately, only having Sherratt for the rest of the 6Ns makes it hard to build any combos. I guess under Sherratt the aim is just to try and win anything. Then hopefully a new coach can use the summer to try and get something in place for the autumn.

 

[dirty harry]

Considering the Head Coach and Attack Coach have both been taken behind the barn, I think it's safe to assume there might have been some changes to the systems

Some...

I'm not sure if you've ever coached before, but the first thing you do is consult with the players what is working and what isn't.

If I stepped in after a head and an attack coach departure, I'd rely on the players input leading up to match 1, 10 days from my introduction lol

 

[Welsh Exile]

I honestly don't see a good solution unfortunately. I know some Welsh fans just want to see any improvement, others desperately want a win to get the monkey off the back and some feel that Wales should accept some short term pain to build for the next WC and hope that by then the team has improved enough to stand a chance. I'm not sure what's best because Wales can't keep losing like this. As far as I can see, after this Wales have 2 games against Japan, then Argentina, Japan again, NZ and SA. At the moment, Japan are the only team they are likely to beat. However, I feel if they could beat Japan in the summer then it might give Wales some momentum to potentially upset Argentina. Unfortunately, only having Sherratt for the rest of the 6Ns makes it hard to build any combos. I guess under Sherratt the aim is just to try and win anything. Then hopefully a new coach can use the summer to try and get something in place for the autumn.

So you're saying there's a half chance we could win the triple crown?