Ireland v Wales

[Macsen]

I'm glad the Wales games are always first because then I can enjoy the other games without crapping my pants.

But I'm sure the coverage will be all about the Calcutta Cup. 'Now that the cartoons are over we can move on to the main feature'.

 

[shtove]

Come on boys from both teams, let's make it the best game of the weekend. At least then, when one of us goes home the loser at least it'll have been a great game.
[/b]

Well, Ireland are already at home - which means ...

 

[Sir Speedy]

<div class='quotemain'> Come on boys from both teams, let's make it the best game of the weekend. At least then, when one of us goes home the loser at least it'll have been a great game.
[/b]

Well, Ireland are already at home - which means ...
[/b][/quote]
which means ... the Irish will not have to endure a long miserable journey home at the end of the game.

 

[An Tarbh]

Ireland have left a vacancy at full back with doubts remaining over Murphy and Dempsey, elsewhere Paul O'Connell and Rory Best come into the pack with Jackman and O'Driscoll on the bench.

Ireland: 15. A.N. Other, 14. Bowe, 13. O'Driscoll ©, 12. Trimble, 11. Kearney, 10. O'Gara, 9. Reddan, 1. Horan, 2. Best, 3. Hayes, 4. O'Callaghan, 5. O'Connell, 6. Leamy, 7. Wallace, 8. Heaslip.

Replacements: 16. Jackman, 17. Buckley, 18. O'Driscoll, 19. Easterby :rahh: , 20. Stringer, 21. Wallace, 22. Horgan.

 

[Macsen]

A.N. Other, dangerous on the counter attack.

Byrne; M Jones, Shanklin, Henson, S Williams; Jones, Phillips; G Jenkins, Bennett, A Jones, Gough, AWJ, Thomas, M. Williams, R. Jones

Rees, Duncan Jones, Evans, Delve, Peel, Hook, Parker.

 

[dullonien]

Can't believe Jamie Roberts didn't make it. Not even on the bench! But I believe Gatland knows what he's doing.

 

[Cymro]

Can't believe Jamie Roberts didn't make it. Not even on the bench! But I believe Gatland knows what he's doing. [/b]

For the love of god, why the hell is Sonny Parker in the squad? Get either Roberts or Jaime Robinson on the bench!

 

[danny]

This is the big one as far as Wales ae concerned. If they can overcome Ireland at Croke park then its hard to see France beating them in Cardiff with the grand slam on the table. Personally I think Ireland at home will be too strong and I pick them to win by 10 points. Should be a cracking game whatever the result.

 

[shazbooger]

Yeah I'm kinda going the same way. Home advantage is always worth a few points, and while I see it being a fairly open game I think the Irish pack will have too much for the Welsh. Ireland to win by 14-16 points.

 

[Macsen]

Prediction: Second half comeback makes it Ireland 18 - 24 Wales.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Roberts had a good game on Saturday, but he made a lot of mistakes aswell. His poor clearing kicks didn't relieve the pressure from the Cardiff pack as most of them barely crossed the twenty-two line, and he missed the tackle which cost Cardiff a try. On that basis, I agree with Gatland's decision.

 

[shazbooger]

Yeah was thinking again and bugger it, if any team can go from shite to brilliant in the blink of an eye its a Welsh team, more important a confident Welsh team.

I'm half thinking it could be Wales to win by 15 points.

Right then I'm sitting on the fence. Ireland or Wales to win by 15 points.

 

[sandrino.14]

i bet that ireland win the match

 

[Col]

Ireland to win, they're pack should have an advantage over Welsh tight 8, and I think Redden & O'Gara will get the better of Phillips & Jones tactically.

If Wales can work the ball wide, thats where I see them having an advantage and if the ball moves through the centres well, O'Driscoll will have to be at his defensive best to stop the back 5 of Wales. That could be a hell of a contest BOD v Shanklin.

 

[stormmaster1]

Ireland to win. O'Gara to control things, being given a smooth ride by the dominant pack but struggling to break down the resurgent Welsh defence.

 

[shtove]

O'Driscoll will have to be at his defensive best to stop the back 5 of Wales. That could be a hell of a contest BOD v Shanklin. [/b]

Agree. Shanklin looks excellent since the end of last year's championship - still the odd brainfart, but nothing nearly close enough to put him behind Parker.

What was Gatland thinking? Crap coach! Fire him now, BEFORE you get the Slam.

 

[An Tarbh]

Both Goerdan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey have been ruled out of the Wales game. Rob Kearney will now start at full with Tommy Bowe switching wings to accommodate Shane Horgan, who had been originally on the bench and whose place there will be taken by Leinster teammate, Luke Fitzgerald.

I would have preferred to see Fitzgerald given a run at full back as it would have minimised disruptions but Eddie has seen things differently. This could be the beginning of the end.

 

[gjohn85]

I'm absolutely gutted I am working this weekend. I will also miss the Maccarinelli v Haye fight too...I'm not happy.

 

[el_tk]

Both Goerdan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey have been ruled out of the Wales game. Rob Kearney will now start at full with Tommy Bowe switching wings to accommodate Shane Horgan, who had been originally on the bench and whose place there will be taken by Leinster teammate, Luke Fitzgerald.

I would have preferred to see Fitzgerald given a run at full back as it would have minimised disruptions but Eddie has seen things differently. This could be the beginning of the end. [/b]

He appears to have taken the advice of Ristear Cooper in the Irish Times today. It's still a nice looking back 3 and Fitzgerald is a nice bench option as a relatively unknown quantity at international level.

 

[shazbooger]

Cross field kicks for Shane Horgan all day now. Shane Williams could be in for a tough time defensively. No doubting his ability defensively, but a lot of bigger players have struggled to manage the O'Gara to Horgan combination.

I too dont like the idea of shaking up the back three that much. Have no problems with Kearney at FB, but would prefer to see Bowe stay on the wing he is used too.

(And nicely moderated there. Good to see the nonsense posts removed)