lucky number 7
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If that's true then I'll be over the moon. Lydiate will be a big loss, but Ryan is in excellent form, and can slot back in well. Gill will be a bit of a surprise if true, because I personally think Bevington is an excellent all round player, who could go someway to filling in for Jenkins' loss in the loose. Probably just not seen enough of Gill recently to fully understand his current form.
Other than that, the team is as expected really. That's a pretty beasty backline, with 5 out of 7 pushing 15 stone (over 16 in Roberts, North and Cuthberts cases). I know it's not a very exciting gameplan, but I'd personally bombard Ireland's centres with wave after wave of hard, straight running. Get them all involved, who the hell do you target when Roberts, North, Davies and Cuthbert are capable of bursting a tackle to score?
Of course, alot of this depends on the forwards producing enough quality ball in the correct areas of the field. We should have the slight edge scrum time, but nothing majour, quality ball should be almost guaranteed though. With Ian Evans, lineout should be reletively good aswell (although this can fall apart at any time it seems). The backrow is still of a very high quality, despite missing Lydiate. I don't think Warburton is quite as effective without his parter in crime, but I'd still expect him to be the dominant figure at the breakdown, especially because Ireland still don't have an out and out 7.
Honestly, if this is the team, I'm feeling reletively confident. Ireland are always gonna be tough at home, and they should probably deservedly go into this game as slight favourites, but I see Wales having the edge in most areas of the game. Ireland's backrow are perfectly capable of really clicking on the day and getting the upper hand (especially with Ferris in such phenomenal form), and O'Connell could completely dismantle our lineout, but I don't think either will happen to such an extent that they'll run away with the game.
I think the ultimate difference between the teams will be Wales' power in the backs, in both attack and defense. So I think we'll edge it by 5-8.
Not sure about Best over Bennett. Bennet was one of the best hookers at the WC, just depends if he can continue that. I'd Say draw.
Ian Evans over DOC any day of the week, considering DOC's current form. Ian Evans is back to something approaching good form. Davies aint no push-over either, although I agree O'Connell would pip it.
Faletau over Heaslip please.
Priestland over Sexton aswell. Priestland is the best NH fly-half at the moment, and was up there as the best in the WC. Sexton is perfectly capable of being better on the day, granted, but still...
Tough decision on North v Bowe as you say. I'd take North, currently in better form.
Ah here...Priestland had a great world cup...but an on form Sexton is the NH's top dog at 10.
However I too would give wales the benefit with Bennet and Evans over their Irish counterparts.
