Wales - your selections for Ireland

[dullonien]

Assuming all the possibles are fit, I'd go with:

01 Rob Evans
02 Ken Owens
03 Samson Lee
04 Cory Hill
05 Alun-Wyn Jones
06 Aaron Shingler
07 Josh Navidi
08 Ross Moriarty

09 Gareth Davies
10 Rhys Patchell
11 Steff Evans
12 Hadleigh Parkes
13 Scott Williams
14 George North
15 Leigh Halfpenny

16 Elliot Dee
17 Wyn Jones
18 Thomas Francis
19 Justin Tipuric
20 Taulupe Faletau
21 Aled Davies
22 Gareth Anscombe
23 Liam Williams

Use Shingler as second row cover, making room for two world class backrowers on the bench in Tips and Faletau (if fit, otherwise keep Bradley on the bench).

Keep Patchell at 10, and have Anscombe as impact off the bench. Biggar would be a step backwards! North on the wing over Adams (who I thought was very poor vs England), Halfpenny back at fullback for his kicking and general solidity. Liam Williams adds another world class player to come off the bench and make an impact.

 

[truthteller]

got to have a lock on the bench imo otherwise good team

 

[Maverick1987]

My team for Wales would be

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Cory Hill/Aaron Shingler
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Ross Moriarty
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Toby Faletau
9. Gareth Davies
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Liam Williams
12. Hadleigh Parkes
13. Scott Williams
14. Steff Evans
15. Leigh Halfpenny

16. Elliott Dee
17. Wyn Jones
18. Thomas Francis
19. Cory Hill/Aaron Shingler
20. Josh Navidi
21. Aled Davies
22. Gareth Anscombe
23. George North

Harsh on Navidi and Shingler I know but that back row is experienced and full of quality. If I was the Welsh coach I'd never leave out Faletau under any circumstances . He's the most gifted player in Wales hands down

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Shingler isn't an international lock. He's only 105kg.

 

[Maverick1987]

Shingler isn't an international lock. He's only 105kg.

I can't see that Wales have someone else with a point of difference though . He wouldn't get a game at lock for England but he's got something that players like Cory Hill can't bring . His work in the loose is good and his work on the ground is good too . He seems a very good option at the lineout so the only place he would give something up is weight in the scrum . That's not as important in this day and age if I'm honest . I'd be interested to see what the weight difference is between Shingler and Lawes

 

[munstermuffin]

Why do I get a feeling Ireland will get a BP win.

 

[Maverick1987]

Why do I get a feeling Ireland will get a BP win.

You think ? I reckon it could be another slogfest tbh . Both teams scoring less than 15 points

 

[The5thOfficial]

Why do I get the feeling that Ireland will get a BP but it will be a losing one?

 

[mosfeldt]

I can't tell if munstermuffin was being serious or not. When have Ireland ever scored 4 tries against Wales in a 6N fixture? It's gonna be the same 'ol same 'ol. Ireland will hammer away furiously at the Welsh try line to no avail. Wales, while losing the territory and possession and battle, will score an off the cuff out of nowhere try, probably by George North. Their try plus a few penalties will be enough to just edge them over Ireland. There will be a contentious TMO/ref decision. There will be drama, the Welsh will still lose the 6N, and Ireland will beat England in Twickers whilst also losing the 6N. No one will be happy except the English, who feel a bit miffed anyways that they lost out on a Slam to an inconsistent Irish team.

Sounds about right

 

[munstermuffin]

I'm only messing. Can see Ireland win by more than 7 but something like a 17-7 score or 16-9. Think it will be a game defence nerds will love

 

[mosfeldt]

I'm not at all confident that Ireland will win this, though I never am before a Wales match. Home advantage means nothing. Their Lions will be back. Gatland has outfoxed Schmidt a few times now.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm not at all confident that Ireland will win this, though I never am before a Wales match. Home advantage means nothing. Their Lions will be back. Gatland has outfoxed Schmidt a few times now.

Really? Schmidt hasn't lost a home 6n match and only three at home in his Irish career, two of which were in his first three games. Under Schmidt Lansdowne is a bona fide fortress.

Its Wales who have had a knack of ruining our 6nations recently but I think we'll be more than wary of that this time, a loss would be hugely disappointing especially as we're 10 point favourites in the bookies.

 

[mosfeldt]

True, under Schmidt the home advantage against Wales has become more important but traditionally it has never meant anything. There was a period in the 90s where they only beat each other away. But in this case anyways I don't think these Welsh boys will be scared of coming to the Aviva, plenty of their Lions have had victory here before and the Scarlets in their squad showed that they can walk it in the Aviva. We saw how far they pushed England who are a more complete outfit IMO. We always struggle against Wales (except 2014, that was beautiful) and I except this fixture to be no different

 

[RedruthRFC]

I assume youre trying to be sarky? yeah 45% is terrific strike rate actually, itll get better too once hes back from these horrible injuries

Looking at the all time top try scorers list, it's only terrific for a winger if you're name is Ieuan Evans!

 

[MikeTheNative]

I think Liam Williams is Wales' best back 3 player so I would have him in the team over North, normally wouldn't pick Halfpenny but Ireland will kick a lot and he will be a lot more solid at the back. Against a weaker pack you might get away with Shingler in the row but not against this ireland team.

 

[bushytop]

Why do I get a feeling Ireland will get a BP win.

There's that old Irish confidence, I had begun to miss it.

 

[General Melchett]

Dan Biggar: Wales fly-half must end moaning to referees - Martyn Williams

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/43195627

Well said Martyn.

 

[Groundhog]

Why do I get a feeling Ireland will get a BP win.

I'm only messing. Can see Ireland win by more than 7 but something like a 17-7 score or 16-9. Think it will be a game defence nerds will love

You predicted it, and then you backed down. Being a sheep around Welsh people is inadvisable.