Ireland vs Wales, Croke Park, Sat 13 March 2:30pm Match Thread

thomond2006

RBS SIX NATIONS: Ireland v Wales

VS

Ireland:
15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary,
8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Rob Kearney.

Wales:
15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 James Hook, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Richie Rees,
8 Gareth Delve, 7 Martyn Williams (Captain), 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Luke Charteris, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Ian Gough, 19 Sam Warburton, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Tom Shanklin

Date: Saturday, March 13
Venue: Croke Park
Kick-off: 14.30 GMT
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Chris White (England), Peter Allan (Scotland)
Television match official: Jim Yuille (Scotland)

Previous Results:
2009: Wales 15 - 17 Ireland
2008: Ireland 12 - 16 Wales
2007: Wales 9 - 19 Ireland
2006: Ireland 31 - 5 Wales
2005: Wales 32 - 20 Ireland
2004: Ireland 36 - 15 Wales

The Teams:

Ireland: Declan Kidney has retained the same starting XV that defeated England at Twickenham. The bench shows the only change to the matchday squad, with Rob Kearney among the substitutes after recovering from a knee injury, in place of Andrew Trimble.

Wales: The starting XV shows 3 changes from the side that lost to France. Matthew Rees comes in at hooker with Huw Bennett reverting to the bench. Luke Charteris is in for the injured Deiniol Jones. Ryan Jone's injury has opened the door for Gareth Delve to earn his 10th cap. Dwayne Peel moves onto the bench after Mike Phillips was ruled out through injury.

The Coaches:

Declan Kidney: His team needed to deliver in Twickenham and they did. With the nightmare of Paris at the back of fans' minds, now the minimum expectation is a Triple Crown. While it can be argued that Kidney is building a squad in some positions and not in others, it can be denied that the coach has produced a team that is dogged, determined and will take its chance when presented.

Warren Gatland: For once, Gatland has had a quiet week in the press. The aura that he and Shaun Edwards created during Wales' Grand Slam year has all but disappeared. He is under massive pressure as his side have yet to produce an 80 minute performance in this Championship. They can be absolutely brilliant (final 10 minutes against Scotland, final 20 minutes against France) or terrible (performance against England). An unlikely win against Ireland would put Gatland and Wales firmly back on the horse.

Key Battles

Tommy Bowe vs Shane Williams: The two Ospreys teammates are the match's potential gamebreakers. Shane Williams delights in having time and space to run rings around opponents. His last minute try against France proved that the 33 year old still possesses that magical ability to leave opponents for dead. Tommy Bowe is cementing his position as one of the top wingers in world rugby. His move to the Ospreys has proven to be the best decision Bowe ever made. He runs superb lines and is very strong and quick in possession and arguably is the greatest success of Kidney's reign as coach. The battle on the wing between these two will be fascinating.

Brian O'Driscoll vs James Hook: Where would Ireland be without their newest centurion? He has been the cornerstone of Ireland's growth and success over the last decade. A once in a lifetime player. His opposite number James Hook has had a bizarre season, having been played at 10, 12, 13 and 15. In this championship, he has blown hot and cold at outside centre. However, his talents are such that the experiment is worth persisting with. He may be a weakness that Ireland can exploit and force errors but like Shane Williams, he is a potential gamebreaker. Ireland will no doubt use O'Driscoll as a shooter in defence to put Hook under pressure.

Jamie Heaslip vs Gareth Delve: Heaslip has been a consistent performer for Ireland in this championship and has become a talismanic figure in the side. As well as being a formidable runner in attack, he has a high work rate and is a real grafter, as shown against England. Delve the "forgotten man" of Wales, has got an opportunity due to Ryan Jones' absence. He is not in the class of Heaslip but he is a strong ball carrier who can get over the gainline. Wales have been accused of not earning "the right to go wide" by making the hard yards. Delve is potentially the answer to the problem as Wales have been short of ball carrying forwards so far.

Prediction: If Ireland can control and impose a structure on the game, they can force Wales into mistakes and Ireland will captalise. Wales may need to play a fast and loose game to breach Ireland's defence that could lead them open to turnovers and counterattacks. In the key areas Ireland are stronger so I think Ireland will win by 7-10 points.

Oafley Jones

This is more about the venue than the match, but what's the quickest way to get to the airport and how long should it take after the match from Croke Park? Need to be in the airport for about 5:15. Thanks.

phog

This is the one match that I feared since winning the GS last year, I always felt we would lose in France and I'm seriously concerned that we may lose two 6Ns games this year. However, I don't see us allowing them to score so much in the last quarter of the game like they did against France and Scotland.

SomeFool

Can't see anywhere outside the front row where Ireland would be bettered by the Welsh. BOD for MOTM on his 100th cap might be worth a punt too, Ireland by 10 for me.

JustinDee

Oafley Jones wrote: »

This is more about the venue than the match, but what's the quickest way to get to the airport and how long should it take after the match from Croke Park? Need to be in the airport for about 5:15. Thanks.

You're grabbing a cab I'd say.
Game will finish around 4pm. I wouldn't risk any other mode of transport getting to airport in an hour.

Ciaran-Irl

"A back page headline in yesterday’s Western Mail read “A Menopausal Warthog” in relation to a description of Gatland in an article in an Irish newspaper earlier this week, the general gist of which rather incurred the wrath of the Welsh newspaper which was moved to defend Gatland, Cardiff as a Six Nations venue and generally all things Welsh."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0312/1224266106124.html

Does anyone know what Irish newspaper riled up the Welsh so much???

yeraulone

Nice job Thomond!

castie

There is a bus that goes from somewhere around croker and gets to the airport alright. Another option is to get the train to connolly and get the bus from there.

Noffles

Oooh, good start to the thread!

Can barely concentrate on work today without trying to read something on this match, really looking forward now and for a Welshman living in Ireland this is the biggest game for me.
Personally I think Delve is going to play a blinder tomorrow and prove a point, Williams to get some space and cause havoc and the Welsh to show some patience and not try and score off every bit of possession, we should know that it can't be forced (France two gift tries) and if we can do that we should have a right game on our hands.
And obviously the enjoyment of the whole day out too, before and after the match!

JJ

For Wales, it's no surprise Jones, Jones and Jones are playing. There were some questions about Jones but I think he's earned his place. It's a little surprising to see Jones, Jones, Jones and Jones on the bench but they could make an impact late in the match.

toomevara

Still awaiting Gatland's usual disastrous pre-game psychological posturing. Maybe they've told him to keep his gob shut this time....

Noffles

toomevara wrote: »

Still awaiting Gatland's usual disastrous pre-game psychological posturing. Maybe they've told him to keep his gob shut this time....

I usually look forward to him saying something, far too quiet this year especially for this match, maybe the Warthog comment made him think twice... it's all "posturing" as you say but it's funny to read.

Noffles

JJ wrote: »

For Wales, it's no surprise Jones, Jones and Jones are playing. There were some questions about Jones but I think he's earned his place. It's a little surprising to see Jones, Jones, Jones and Jones on the bench but they could make an impact late in the match.

Being a Jones myself I've got my boots in the car and waiting for the phone to ring....

Eoin

JJ wrote: »

For Wales, it's no surprise Jones, Jones and Jones are playing. There were some questions about Jones but I think he's earned his place. It's a little surprising to see Jones, Jones, Jones and Jones on the bench but they could make an impact late in the match.

It really is hard to keep up with the Joneses.

toomevara

toomevara wrote: »

Still awaiting Gatland's usual disastrous pre-game psychological posturing. Maybe they've told him to keep his gob shut this time....

He's certainly more reserved this year.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0312/1224266106124.html

Aidric

toomevara wrote: »

Still awaiting Gatland's usual disastrous pre-game psychological posturing. Maybe they've told him to keep his gob shut this time....

Ya, cause boring platitudes are so hot right now.

toomevara

Aidric wrote: »

Ya, cause boring platitudes are so hot right now.

?. Not quite sure I follow.....(bit slow today, or at least slower than usual.)

Aidric

toomevara wrote: »

?. Not quite sure I follow.....(bit slow today, or at least slower than usual.)

I'm simply saying that it's refreshing to hear a coach/player speak off the cuff and not from a memory bank of practiced answers, at least occasionally.

toomevara

Aidric wrote: »

I'm simply saying that it's refreshing to hear a coach/player speak off the cuff and not from a memory bank of practiced answers, at least occasionally.

Oh yeah, completely agree.

Noffles

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2010/03/12/irish-attack-on-warren-gatland-and-his-stars-91466-26014839/

Could be worse I suppose...

irishbucsfan

Noffles wrote: »

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2010/03/12/irish-attack-on-warren-gatland-and-his-stars-91466-26014839/

Could be worse I suppose...

Ah come on, you can't quote Neil Francis in a real article.. he doesn't count.

Its the same as quoting Stephen Jones. Thats right, I went there

nosco

Don't see a problem with Francis myself. A seemingly bright fella who speaks his mind and makes some very valid points.

chimchimney

what will johnny sexton be doing with the ball? id say keep it in hand, no point in kicking it down to byrne, williams, halfpenny. maybe send a few forwards down hooks channel.

their pack arent so strong, and also are weak at the lineout so maybe try and get some catch and drives going when the opportunity arises.

our backrow need to get to the breakdown first and slow down their ball to prevent them playing fast and loose.

thomond2006

nosco wrote: »

Don't see a problem with Francis myself. A seemingly bright fella who speaks his mind and makes some very valid points.

"Jamie Roberts has been average for Wales, because he is an average player. It’s amazing that he got player of the tour in South Africa." :rolleyes:

I beg to differ.

PhatPiggins

nosco wrote: »

Don't see a problem with Francis myself. A seemingly bright fella who speaks his mind and makes some very valid points.

Problem is that the valid points usually account for only 5% of what he writes. The rest seems to be tabliosedsque and merely there to provoke a response.

When ever I hear him as a pundit he always contribute good stuff but the lad has serious "notions" about himself.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

"Jamie Roberts has been average for Wales, because he is an average player. It’s amazing that he got player of the tour in South Africa." :rolleyes:

I beg to differ.

That comment is Francis too a tee "Jamie Roberts has been average" - absolutely, his levels have dropped no end since the summer.

"because he is an average player"- quit while your ahead Neil

nosco

thomond2006 wrote: »

"Jamie Roberts has been average for Wales, because he is an average player. It’s amazing that he got player of the tour in South Africa." :rolleyes:

I beg to differ.

I can see it being a controversial point in the light of the positive media coverage he got, and i must admit i thought myself he looked dangerous. But, there is a school of thought that attributes a lot of roberts effectiveness down to his centre partner and that he doesn't have the skills of many other top players. I heard gerry thornley(or keith wood) suggesting something similar the other day. I don't think its as ridiculous a claim as you seem to make out.

Snickers Man

Ciaran-Irl wrote: »

"A back page headline in yesterday’s Western Mail read “A Menopausal Warthog” in relation to a description of Gatland in an article in an Irish newspaper earlier this week, ......

Does anyone know what Irish newspaper riled up the Welsh so much???

It was Vincent Hogan in the Irish Independent.

What a twat!

ScholesyIsGod

Can see it being a close one, even though Wales have lost twice they could very well have beaten England had it not been for the intercept try at the end to kill off their momentum and against France they gave away another two intercept tries in the first half to put the game beyond them. Shane Williams try against France shows that he's still a devastating finisher given a bit of space so we'll have to keep him quiet. They've been behind in all the games so far but they've managed to fight their way back into contention each time so we'll have to keep the foot on the pedal for the 80 minutes and not lose the concentration if we get ahead by a couple of scores.

I'd go for Ireland by 5 points.

chris85

I just got a ticket very happy

I am looking forward to see how Sexton will play this. He will have to read the back three very well. I think we will attack Hooks channel himself and test him as Sexton is always seeking to attack himself. our lineout is functioning very well so kicking the corners would be good but i would say it will be mixed up a lot as wales will adapt very quick if we are predictable.

irishbucsfan

nosco wrote: »

I can see it being a controversial point in the light of the positive media coverage he got, and i must admit i thought myself he looked dangerous. But, there is a school of thought that attributes a lot of roberts effectiveness down to his centre partner and that he doesn't have the skills of many other top players. I heard gerry thornley(or keith wood) suggesting something similar the other day. I don't think its as ridiculous a claim as you seem to make out.

Calling Jamie Roberts an average player is a ridiculous claim. There's no defending that.

Admittedly I don't read Francis, but his analysis on TV is infuriating.

anonymous_joe

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Calling Jamie Roberts an average player is a ridiculous claim. There's no defending that.

Admittedly I don't read Francis, but his analysis on TV is infuriating.

He's had an average year. He is though, potentially, almost world class.

twinytwo

anonymous_joe wrote: »

He's had an average year. He is though, potentially, almost world class.

thats because after the lions he is a marked man.. that said i cant see him making much ground against d'arcy/drico.... ireland by 10

df1985

kick off delayed 10 mins. everyones in the pub!

Daysha

Great tribute to BOD on the BBC just now. What a legend.

sickpuppy

Not a huge fan of Mcgurk theres the garda helicopter hope Andy Powells not flying it :pac:
Ireland to hopefully dominate up front and Bod to score ireland by 12

df1985

was just mentioned on bbc today is the last game in croke park.didnt even realise.




also gabby logan would get it.

wixfjord

No the Scotland game is the last.
COME ON IRELAND!!

df1985

yeah you're right actually.stupid gabby logan! was thinking it would have been mentioned more if it was.

redout

Is ROG playing ?

Looks odd standing in line wearing tracksuit bottoms.

Agent Smith

Is it Just me, or does half the welsh squad not know the words to Hen wlad fy nhadau?

yogidc26

redout wrote: »

Is ROG playing ?

Looks odd standing in line wearing tracksuit bottoms.

No he's a sub today

jd007

redout wrote: »

Is ROG playing ?

Looks odd standing in line wearing tracksuit bottoms.

Sexton is starting.

redout

yogidc26 wrote: »

No he's a sub today

jd007 wrote: »

Sexton is starting.

Why in the name of god is he standing in line then ?

Its usually just the starting team, no ?

Agent Smith

Fecking RTE doing ads now!

yogidc26

No all the team are there

Think your thinking off football

the immortals

dont ya just love the way hayes always looks as if he's just played a match!

redout

yogidc26 wrote: »

No all the team are there

Think your thinking off football

Fair enough.

He still looks odd though being the only one wearing tracksuit bottoms.

That goes for both teams.

redout

Christ that was woeful kicking.

The bloody thing was straight on!

Griffen262

Where was Amhrán na bhFiann?? Thought they played that at home matches??..I know they were a few minutes behind, but they still should of played it tbh...