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

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Feel like Wales could win a game with that team tbf (Not against Ireland) but they could be real banana skin games for Scotland and especially England having to go to Cardiff. The streak has to come to an end at some point. Rogers has looked good but the rest of the back three looks week, not sure about Blair Murry. Probably a bit more of a feel good factor in there camp and they have nothing to loose which is always dangerous. I would love them to be Scotland.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

No Assiratti

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Is it appropriate to find it funny that despite a regional set up more than half of the starting XV play outside Wales?

11-15 have 26 caps between them. Bar Osborne who's not first choice, their Irish counterparts all have at least that many each and 213 between them.

 

[dirty harry]

This is why Sherat is a club coach...

In 2008, Gatland came in to a chaotic team, dissarayed and decided to select settled combos, turned out to be 13 ospreys...

Sherat has done the near opposite, but made some super crucial mistakes...

1. Switching out the entire front row. The scrum is going well, the catch and drive is a weapon we could utilise more. There was a basis there, Lloyd getting better etc... john Smith and Dee aren't playing well, and John and Dee have spent most of the time injured.
I just don't get it Thomas has been our best player, and Ospreys best player this season.

2. It's hard to argue against Rowlands, but he's badly out of form, and is only selected by default. I would much prefer to see Thomas with William's off the bench.

3. Edward's must be fuming. He's been one of very few players, probably with Llewellyn who have earned a call up through performances, and now he's dropped for Jarrod the speedbump Evans, who isn't going to have a Wales future let's be honest!

4. Adam's is taking the brunt of a bad backline, he offered Tomos William's some option last week, both near tries were so difficult to finish, and Adam's like a number of others is only half fit.

5. Rogers is the best FB at Scarlets, he's defied my thoughts and I genuinely think he could be good going forward, why start Murray there?

This selection reminds me of Pivacs, desperation for the next 80 minutes, no forethought, no strategy going forward, and panicky. The Llewellyn and Anscombe call ups made sense, Evans selection is laughable.

I dread to consider that Sherat will try to get Wales playing the ball 15 to 15, make higher risk plays from deeper, and kick infield.

 

[Welsh Exile]

This is why Sherat is a club coach...

In 2008, Gatland came in to a chaotic team, dissarayed and decided to select settled combos, turned out to be 13 ospreys...

Sherat has done the near opposite, but made some super crucial mistakes...

1. Switching out the entire front row. The scrum is going well, the catch and drive is a weapon we could utilise more. There was a basis there, Lloyd getting better etc... john Smith and Dee aren't playing well, and John and Dee have spent most of the time injured.
I just don't get it Thomas has been our best player, and Ospreys best player this season.

2. It's hard to argue against Rowlands, but he's badly out of form, and is only selected by default. I would much prefer to see Thomas with William's off the bench.

3. Edward's must be fuming. He's been one of very few players, probably with Llewellyn who have earned a call up through performances, and now he's dropped for Jarrod the speedbump Evans, who isn't going to have a Wales future let's be honest!

4. Adam's is taking the brunt of a bad backline, he offered Tomos William's some option last week, both near tries were so difficult to finish, and Adam's like a number of others is only half fit.

5. Rogers is the best FB at Scarlets, he's defied my thoughts and I genuinely think he could be good going forward, why start Murray there?

This selection reminds me of Pivacs, desperation for the next 80 minutes, no forethought, no strategy going forward, and panicky. The Llewellyn and Anscombe call ups made sense, Evans selection is laughable.

I dread to consider that Sherat will try to get Wales playing the ball 15 to 15, make higher risk plays from deeper, and kick infield.

Is the scrum going well? Maybe against France but it was pretty poor against Italy, no? Having said that I do think Thomas has been decent so can see what you're saying. I don't think you can moan too much about the changes at 2 and 3 though.

I agree on point 2

Point 3 is BS.

Adams is injured that's why he's not selected. Sherratt has just confirmed.

Agree on point 5 as well but I'm not to annoyed about it. Murray did well there at 15 last game.

 

[dirty harry]

Is the scrum going well? Maybe against France but it was pretty poor against Italy, no? Having said that I do think Thomas has been decent so can see what you're saying. I don't think you can moan too much about the changes at 2 and 3 though.

I agree on point 2

Point 3 is BS.

Adams is injured that's why he's not selected. Sherratt has just confirmed.

Agree on point 5 as well but I'm not to annoyed about it. Murray did well there at 15 last game.

I didn't realise Adam's was injured, that's the back 3 we have then. I just don't understand, the last few games for Scarlets Roger's looked good at 15, varied kicking game, positionally was good and even showed flashes of quality.

How you can argelue about Edward's I don't know, he's literally had to force his way into selection and watch Ben Thomas play in front of him. I get Anscombes inclusion, playing well, good combo with William's. But Jarrod Evans, out of international wilderness, plays back up at club level at an average Quins team, and notnplaying very well at that. Jarrod Evans inclusion over Edward's is an insult to every young player plying their trade in Wales.

What exactly is the point performing well at the regions when you can take a better offer, play half as much and get preferential treatment by selectors. We should be moulding a young talented 21 year old to lead at the next world cup, not throw in a 29 year old who hasn't shown any ability at this level who certainly won't be at the next world cup.

This selection reminds me of Mcleods shamefully treatment by Pivac. Forced his way into contention through performances, started at 8 only to attack off scrum ball at 7, and defend from the scrum at 6. Absolutely no faith put in him whatsoever.

As I said before, we aren't winning this game, what does Evans offer short term, that Edward's doesn't? Why has Edward's got to sit in the squad, see the new interim coach bring in 2 other fly halves, and play both in the first game. Evans won't have a clue of any systems, strategy or structure, especially the last 4 weeks worth of work Edward's has put in.

I was optimistic a few days ago, hopefully seeing some green shoots, players in form, playing in the positions they're used to, Lloyd, Thomas, Edward's, Thomas, Llewellyn, Roger's etc...

What does Sherat hope to achieve with an all new front row, a 10 who hasn't been involved for a while, and a 10 who last came off the bench for Wales in 2021, playing against 14 men and couldn't get the ball outside of 12. In fact didn't Evans concede 2 offside penalties late on to lose the match that were both missed by Argentina??!

 

[Welsh Exile]

I didn't realise Adam's was injured, that's the back 3 we have then. I just don't understand, the last few games for Scarlets Roger's looked good at 15, varied kicking game, positionally was good and even showed flashes of quality.

How you can argelue about Edward's I don't know, he's literally had to force his way into selection and watch Ben Thomas play in front of him. I get Anscombes inclusion, playing well, good combo with William's. But Jarrod Evans, out of international wilderness, plays back up at club level at an average Quins team, and notnplaying very well at that. Jarrod Evans inclusion over Edward's is an insult to every young player plying their trade in Wales.

What exactly is the point performing well at the regions when you can take a better offer, play half as much and get preferential treatment by selectors. We should be moulding a young talented 21 year old to lead at the next world cup, not throw in a 29 year old who hasn't shown any ability at this level who certainly won't be at the next world cup.

This selection reminds me of Mcleods shamefully treatment by Pivac. Forced his way into contention through performances, started at 8 only to attack off scrum ball at 7, and defend from the scrum at 6. Absolutely no faith put in him whatsoever.

As I said before, we aren't winning this game, what does Evans offer short term, that Edward's doesn't? Why has Edward's got to sit in the squad, see the new interim coach bring in 2 other fly halves, and play both in the first game. Evans won't have a clue of any systems, strategy or structure, especially the last 4 weeks worth of work Edward's has put in.

I was optimistic a few days ago, hopefully seeing some green shoots, players in form, playing in the positions they're used to, Lloyd, Thomas, Edward's, Thomas, Llewellyn, Roger's etc...

What does Sherat hope to achieve with an all new front row, a 10 who hasn't been involved for a while, and a 10 who last came off the bench for Wales in 2021, playing against 14 men and couldn't get the ball outside of 12. In fact didn't Evans concede 2 offside penalties late on to lose the match that were both missed by Argentina??!

I think this is pretty OTT. Edwards is a kid, he'll get plenty of opportunities. What does Evans offer? He's by far a better player for starters but he also knows Sherratt very well and vice versa and he's in his prime, that's what he offers, but we'll have to agree to disagree about Evans. I'd say he's well over due this opportunity after being managed poorly for many years. Didn't receive a credible offer and leaves to play for a top English side. I don't see the problem to be honest.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

@ jcorrigangolf lol

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Irish arrogance. Arrogant about crumbling under pressure during every big game and exiting every World Cup before the SF

 

[AlRums]

@ jcorrigangolf lol

I wish people wouldn't keep posting telegraph links that are behind a pay wall.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I wish people wouldn't keep posting telegraph links that are behind a pay wall.

It's not in Ireland.

Summary: how dare this former colony be better than us in the mainland at something? We loved them when they were losers. And then a bunch of world cup jabs.

Not mentioned: having the highest win %, joint most 6n ***les and most wins in the SH and v RC teams of any European team in the last 20 years....

 

[Lé Ddanno]

This is why Sherat is a club coach...

In 2008, Gatland came in to a chaotic team, dissarayed and decided to select settled combos, turned out to be 13 ospreys...

Sherat has done the near opposite, but made some super crucial mistakes...

1. Switching out the entire front row. The scrum is going well, the catch and drive is a weapon we could utilise more. There was a basis there, Lloyd getting better etc... john Smith and Dee aren't playing well, and John and Dee have spent most of the time injured.
I just don't get it Thomas has been our best player, and Ospreys best player this season.

2. It's hard to argue against Rowlands, but he's badly out of form, and is only selected by default. I would much prefer to see Thomas with William's off the bench.

3. Edward's must be fuming. He's been one of very few players, probably with Llewellyn who have earned a call up through performances, and now he's dropped for Jarrod the speedbump Evans, who isn't going to have a Wales future let's be honest!

4. Adam's is taking the brunt of a bad backline, he offered Tomos William's some option last week, both near tries were so difficult to finish, and Adam's like a number of others is only half fit.

5. Rogers is the best FB at Scarlets, he's defied my thoughts and I genuinely think he could be good going forward, why start Murray there?

This selection reminds me of Pivacs, desperation for the next 80 minutes, no forethought, no strategy going forward, and panicky. The Llewellyn and Anscombe call ups made sense, Evans selection is laughable.

I dread to consider that Sherat will try to get Wales playing the ball 15 to 15, make higher risk plays from deeper, and kick infield.

Haven't touched a ball yet but it's the apocalypse. Go coach em yourself.

 

[dullonien]

This is why Sherat is a club coach...

In 2008, Gatland came in to a chaotic team, dissarayed and decided to select settled combos, turned out to be 13 ospreys...

Sherat has done the near opposite, but made some super crucial mistakes...

1. Switching out the entire front row. The scrum is going well, the catch and drive is a weapon we could utilise more. There was a basis there, Lloyd getting better etc... john Smith and Dee aren't playing well, and John and Dee have spent most of the time injured.
I just don't get it Thomas has been our best player, and Ospreys best player this season.

2. It's hard to argue against Rowlands, but he's badly out of form, and is only selected by default. I would much prefer to see Thomas with William's off the bench.

3. Edward's must be fuming. He's been one of very few players, probably with Llewellyn who have earned a call up through performances, and now he's dropped for Jarrod the speedbump Evans, who isn't going to have a Wales future let's be honest!

4. Adam's is taking the brunt of a bad backline, he offered Tomos William's some option last week, both near tries were so difficult to finish, and Adam's like a number of others is only half fit.

5. Rogers is the best FB at Scarlets, he's defied my thoughts and I genuinely think he could be good going forward, why start Murray there?

This selection reminds me of Pivacs, desperation for the next 80 minutes, no forethought, no strategy going forward, and panicky. The Llewellyn and Anscombe call ups made sense, Evans selection is laughable.

I dread to consider that Sherat will try to get Wales playing the ball 15 to 15, make higher risk plays from deeper, and kick infield.

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.

 

[Which Tyler]

I wish people wouldn't keep posting telegraph links that are behind a pay wall.

Or twitter links as if they actually embed (or [m]any of us want to support Elon)

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's not in Ireland.

Summary: how dare this former colony be better than us in the mainland at something? We loved them when they were losers. And then a bunch of world cup jabs.

Not mentioned: having the highest win %, joint most 6n ***les and most wins in the SH and v RC teams of any European team in the last 20 years....

Don't lump all of us colonisers in with the W*lsh (which is where that journo is from)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Don't lump all of us colonisers in with the W*lsh (which is where that journo is from)

You all look the same

 

[Smurfy]

It's not in Ireland.

Summary: how dare this former colony be better than us in the mainland at something? We loved them when they were losers. And then a bunch of world cup jabs.

Not mentioned: having the highest win %, joint most 6n ***les and most wins in the SH and v RC teams of any European team in the last 20 years....

Read this earlier, and yes, we were much more likeable when getting hockeyed by everyone else. Fans of my vintage well remember being patronised and dismissed by opposition fans and newspapers, but you're right, how dare we get above our station and celebrate our wins and ignore the sensitivities of our opposition. If Irish teams had pinned all the disrespectful comments and articles to the dressing room wall in Lansdowne Road it would have needed to be replastered after every game. They could have wallpapered the whole place just using Stephen Jones outpourings of bile, and they could still find plenty of recent bile from that particular moron with which to redecorate the place.

 

[AlRums]

This is an old joke from the joke thread in the Clubhouse Bar, but it's quite appropriate here.

An Englishman, Welshman and West Indian are in hospital, waiting for their wives to give birth. There is quite a bit of pacing up and down when the nurse comes out and happily announces that they are all fathers of bouncing baby boys.

"There's just one problem" she says. "Because they were all born at the same time we got the tags mixed up and we don't know which baby belongs to whom. Would you, as their fathers, mind coming to identify them?" The men agree and walk into the delivery room and look at the babies.

Immediately the Englishman stoops down and picks up the black baby. "Yes, this is definietly my baby" he says confidently.
"Um, excuse me" says the West Indian "but I think it's fairly obvious that this is my son"
The Englishman pulls him aside and says "I see where you're coming from mate but one of these babies is Welsh and I'm not prepared to take the risk"

 

[dirty harry]

I think this is pretty OTT. Edwards is a kid, he'll get plenty of opportunities. What does Evans offer? He's by far a better player for starters but he also knows Sherratt very well and vice versa and he's in his prime, that's what he offers, but we'll have to agree to disagree about Evans. I'd say he's well over due this opportunity after being managed poorly for many years. Didn't receive a credible offer and leaves to play for a top English side. I don't see the problem to be honest.

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.

 

[dirty harry]

Haven't touched a ball yet but it's the apocalypse. Go coach em yourself.

Not apocalypse, but stupidity as usual...

Take a regional coach, who's region is fighting for a play off spot for the first time in years, give him a temporary contract, of just 3 games, wll everyone he won't be considered for the job long term, then allow him to make whole sale changes to a team struggling already, and bring in players from the wilderness to start against the best NH team lol.

I would coach them myself, I certainly am qualified, and believe I could get a 6N win... however I also say I'd rather fly the plane to be in control, than allow someone else to control my destiny, noone has allowed that yet either.