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

[dirty harry]

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.

This is my point, Sherat will waste the rest of this 6N, the new coach will trial things in Japan, before the autumn trials... before you know it wales head into 2026 6N with 17 losses and they're having to take risks and are desperate for any type of win!!!

Why not give the interim Job to someone, on the proviso that they build toward 2027 RWC?!

 

[dullonien]

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!

Man, you talk so much **** sometimes. I've also watched every Cardiff/Blues game for the past 25+ years, so don't make out like you know better!

He was often leading the defensive line and getting his man down. Speed bump my arse!

If you want to criticise an element of his game, then criticise his kicking from hand, which along with many other options post Biggar, kacks distance.

 

[dirty harry]

Man, you talk so much **** sometimes. I've also watched every Cardiff/Blues game for the past 25+ years, so don't make out like you know better!

He was often leading the defensive line and getting his man down. Speed bump my arse!

If you want to criticise an element of his game, then criticise his kicking from hand, which along with many other options post Biggar, kacks distance.

Hahahaha

Firstly I criticised his kicking out of hand in my last post lol

Secondly, he did not lead a defencive line, he regularly hid out wide for Cardiff. The last front line tackle he made was a high shot on Johnny William's in 2022, who was already falling forward and essentially lost the win for Cardiff. The same way he tried to lose the game v Argentina in 2021.

You say you've seen him play, but you don't comment like you have ever seen him play.

Like Sheedy, he has consistently found himself lacking, both in his weaknesses and strengths.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

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

Luckily literally nothing was working and they can start afresh then

It'll take some time to wash the putrid stench of Gatland off the side, but you've got to think they'll at least try

 

[dirty harry]

Luckily literally nothing was working and they can start afresh then

It'll take some time to wash the putrid stench of Gatland off the side, but you've got to think they'll at least try

I don't disagree with an overhaul, but why make those changes with 29 year old players who have already failed at this level? Why not take the same risk on younger players with a higher potential ceiling?

 

[Reiser99]

I don't disagree with an overhaul, but why make those changes with 29 year old players who have already failed at this level? Why not take the same risk on younger players with a higher potential ceiling?

I can see both sides. Giving experience is good, but you can also ruin a player if they are part of a losing team, especially in such a pivotal position. It's a bit different to say Italy in the 6Ns. People expected them to lose and so there was less pressure. Wales have been successful enough over the last decade that there is still the expectation that even if they aren't top 4 they should be able to put up a fight. Unless Wales beat Japan they will likely slip so far down the rankings they really will be unofficially T2 level. As I said, I don't see a good option right now, just the least **** and I guess experience is more likely to win you a match right now.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

I don't think you can really judge a player based off of games 3/4 years ago. If it's a disaster then you can judge him on that. Tbf to JE he's added a couple of strings to his bow. Being 2nd choice at your club isn't such a bad thing when it's Marcus Smith either

 

[Welsh Exile]

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?

Still in France. Meant to be doing well but he is, and never was, the answer (or even a credible option imo) for us.

Actually mate while you're here, how has Evans been doing this season in your humble opinion?

 

[dirty harry]

I can see both sides. Giving experience is good, but you can also ruin a player if they are part of a losing team, especially in such a pivotal position. It's a bit different to say Italy in the 6Ns. People expected them to lose and so there was less pressure. Wales have been successful enough over the last decade that there is still the expectation that even if they aren't top 4 they should be able to put up a fight. Unless Wales beat Japan they will likely slip so far down the rankings they really will be unofficially T2 level. As I said, I don't see a good option right now, just the least **** and I guess experience is more likely to win you a match right now.

I disagree, I think Wales will be officially tier 2.

 

[dirty harry]

I don't think you can really judge a player based off of games 3/4 years ago. If it's a disaster then you can judge him on that. Tbf to JE he's added a couple of strings to his bow. Being 2nd choice at your club isn't such a bad thing when it's Marcus Smith either

If you can't judge him off his performances 3 years ago, why has he been selected? He isn't pulling up trees at Quins. His defencive frailties aren't going to have improved since 22

 

[dullonien]

Hahahaha

Firstly I criticised his kicking out of hand in my last post lol

Secondly, he did not lead a defencive line, he regularly hid out wide for Cardiff. The last front line tackle he made was a high shot on Johnny William's in 2022, who was already falling forward and essentially lost the win for Cardiff. The same way he tried to lose the game v Argentina in 2021.

You say you've seen him play, but you don't comment like you have ever seen him play.

Like Sheedy, he has consistently found himself lacking, both in his weaknesses and strengths.

I will disagree on his defence. Not saying he's a beast, but he wasn't a speedbump, and was never 'hidden on the wing' by Cardiff.

I'm setting myself up for him coming on as a replacement with Wales inexplicably leading by a point, only to miss a tackle and cost us the game aren't I!?

 

[dirty harry]

I will disagree on his defence. Not saying he's a beast, but he wasn't a speedbump, and was never 'hidden on the wing' by Cardiff.

I'm setting myself up for him coming on as a replacement with Wales inexplicably leading by a point, only to miss a tackle and cost us the game aren't I!?

I was thinking the same thing to be fair, I'm slating him for him to come on, make 3 linebreaks and for him to have a blinder lol

 

[munstermuffin]

We will win by 25-30 points I think. Welsh will battle but emotion only gets so far and Ireland are ruthless at the moment. Wales rebuild is long term

 

[Welsh Exile]

Ireland are going to be scared after that result tonight. Gatland getting the chop has made even our under 20s good. The triple crown is on.

 

[dirty harry]

Ireland are going to be scared after that result tonight. Gatland getting the chop has made even our under 20s good. The triple crown is on.

It wasn't an easy watch last night, 3 incredible performances from Scott, Beddall and the hooker (his name escapes me). I think they were all top 3 tackles, with 2 nearing 30 and Beddall making 34/35 or so.

I'm not sure my heart could take that kind of performance today, although I'm expecting similar with a different score line

 

[Groundhog]

I'd rather be playing Wales before they toppled the Galtand statue, they might throw the shackles off a bit, but still hard to see us losing. Would take a pretty monumental underperformance. I think we will start stronger with Conan in

 

[Welsh Exile]

I'd rather be playing Wales before they toppled the Galtand statue, they might throw the shackles off a bit, but still hard to see us losing. Would take a pretty monumental underperformance. I think we will start stronger with Conan in

There is no way you're going into this game with any complacency. My head still says you will score a minimum of 6 tries and get to at least 40 points. I just hope we can score 2 or 3 tries and give a good account of ourselves for some brief periods of the match. That's realistically the best we can hope for.

 

[dirty harry]

There is no way you're going into this game with any complacency. My head still says you will score a minimum of 6 tries and get to at least 40 points. I just hope we can score 2 or 3 tries and give a good account of ourselves for some brief periods of the match. That's realistically the best we can hope for.

I'm hoping for less than that lol...

I just want to see us start kicking for a reason, and not out of desperation.

I'd love to see us try something when we are given advantage, instead of just dying with the ball.

I want to see us compete in the lineout, and use our catch and drive more, although with 4 new players in the pack that might not go as well as it has been.

We see plenty of effort, but next to no confidence in our systems, and I worried Sherat will have them playing from 15m to 15m inviting the Irish to smash lumps out of midfield.

Mostly though, I want to see if I've pegged Jarrod Evans wrong, and he'll step up and be the top class 10 noone thinks he can be. I don't want to say I told you so on the final whistle, but I will start a thread ***led it hahahaha

 

[dirty harry]

I would say anything less than a 16 point loss would be a good day out, 16 to 22 points I'd expect, and would understand anything more than 22 points is poor at home with a new coach.

 

[Bluemoon]

I'd rather be playing Wales before they toppled the Galtand statue, they might throw the shackles off a bit, but still hard to see us losing. Would take a pretty monumental underperformance. I think we will start stronger with Conan in

I love the imagery here. I hope you are right. Jockey hasn't been keeping it secret that he's basically going to play his way, which is fast ruck ball and look to use width anywhere from the halfway onwards. I wish wish POM wasn't playing as he is the complete diffuser of that sort of game so our back row need to be hitting rucks at speed all day long.

Conan has been in beast mode this 6N, I have always been a big fan of his. He's probably making more of an impact than Doris, albeit from the bench at the moment. I am concerned about his form from a welsh perspective.

Be good to see us turn a corner and hopefully play with some positivity today against an excellent Irish team.