Wales vs Ireland Match Thread, Sat 12 March 5pm. **ALL RF POSTERS PLEASE READ OP**

thomond2006

MOD Warning;

Apologies for getting all school-marmish and I know this doesn't apply to the majority of you who post on the RF but;

Last weekend we were short staffed on the mod front, with only Ruggie trying to stem the tide of general eejitry which erupted on this thread. Now obviously Ruggie has a life and probably wanted to, oh I don't know, enjoy his weekend and maybe even watch the match without having to act like a schoolmaster in a playground on the RF.

Consequently a lot of posters, frankly, took the piss and had a field day. There are probably 5-6 posters on this thread who I could ban legitimately and quite happily for tribalism, abuse and just general idiocy. I'm not going to do that as we're a week on from the game. However this weekend there will be a zero tolerance policy on all match threads particularly the England/Ireland game and anyone who abuses another poster/ a player or starts tribal LvM rubbish is getting a ban straight up, no questions asked. Those of you who were responsible for the above know who you are and you will be particularly keenly monitored this weekend. I would suggest that this might be a time to read/re-read the forum charter if you haven't done so.

Enjoy the game and ferchrisakkes keep it civil.

Thanks, Toom.

Apologies to Thomand for inserting this bit of moderator instruction:

Firstly, enjoy the match. We don't get many that many Test matches (relatively) each season.

Before you post in this thread (or any other thread) this weekend please read the charter. There tends to be quite a few non regulars posting on 6nations weekends, so please make sure you are aware that the Rugby forum is relatively strict.

For the more regular posters, there are a lot of the same arguments repeated ad nauseum in every other post by some users, especially with regards ROG/Sexton and Munster/Leinster. This will not be tolerated for much longer.

There will be zero tolerance to the messing which has gone on the last few match weekends. This includes calling any players/refs/coaches/other posters/moderators derogatory names.

Please report posts, don't complain about them on thread.

Do not argue with any moderator posts on thread. If you want to comment/disagree use the PM function

Lastly, Enjoy the match and posting about it

VS

Wales:
15 Lee Byrne, 14 Leigh Halfpenny, 13 Jamie Roberts, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Shane Williams, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips,
8 Ryan Jones, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Matthew Rees (capt), 1 Paul James.

Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 John Yapp, 18 Dwayne Peel, 19 Stephen Jones, 22 Morgan Stoddart, plus two from Rob McCusker, Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas.

Ireland:
15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Eoin Reddan,
8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Sean O'Brien, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Paddy Wallace.

Date: Saturday, March 12
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Millennium Stadium
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Peter Allan (Scotland)
Television match official: Geoff Warren (England)

Two sides who both harbour hopes of winning the championship (should England falter) meet at Millennium Stadium this Saturday. With a trip to France to come for Wales and the likely prospect of a Grand Slam showdown with England to come for Ireland, there is a real danger that the loser of this fixture could finish the championship with only 2 wins. With both sides attempting to gather momentum for an assault on the William Webb Ellis Trophy in September, that would leave a team in a disastrous state of affairs.

Before the tournament began Wales looked to have lost the smarts and composure required to win/close out games, as evidenced by their results in the Autumn Internationals, where they showed glimpses of brilliance but where their overall innings left a lot to be desired. So as we pass the middle point of the Six Nations, what has changed for Wales? A similar formula to the Autumn Internationals produced a pitiful display against England, the Welsh pedestrian efforts in attack proving as fruitless as the Green Party's recent election campaign. Then Warren Gatland, under pressure from the fans and media, said "Enough is Enough" and took a positive decision by plumping for change. James Hook whose mercurial talents were being wasted at fullback was moved to number 10. With Hook in the commander-in-chief role Wales routed Scotland in Murrayfield. While Scotland have shown themselves to be an abject pack of numptys when they don't "turn up", Wales victory can be attributed to their collective improvement as a team. Their subsequent win over Italy in Rome was at times toughed out but very few teams win easy at Stadio Flaminio. So in short, Wales are a far better side than the outfit that stuttered and stammered through the autumn series.

It's hard to say if Ireland's journey so far in the Six Nations has been inconsistent or a steady upward graft. It depends on the currency of all of the results so far. Is a valiant defeat to a talented France better than holding on for a close victory over a terrible side like Scotland? You could say that Ireland's win over Italy was their only match in the championship so far where Ireland's opponent played to the best of its ability. On the flip side it is also probably fair to say that Ireland have yet to play at their best if you consider their recent disciplinary record. At least Ireland now have only one achilles heel to eradicate, thankfully their excessive error count has been supressed. Ireland need to curb their enthusaism at the breakdown but they cannot, as Donncha O'Callaghan put it, become "alter boys". It was very frustrating as an Irish supporter to watch Scotland vs Ireland, when Ireland players at times showed the common sense level of an indignant toddler, Denis Leamy's penalty near the end where he was lucky not to be carded as Dan Parks elected to continue play and take a drop goal to give an example. Scotland were there for the taking, Ireland at one point were cruising at 9-21 ahead and let the Scots back in the game through ill-discipline. What is worrying for Ireland is Wales will score tries if Ireland are similarly ill-disciplined, unlike Scotland who just take the points because they know they can't score tries.

Key Battle:

James Hook vs Ronan O'Gara: The two key playmakers will both play a crucial role on Saturday. Both are in exceptional form and will try to stamp their authority on the game. Hook has transformed the Welsh backline since being moved to the pivotal position. He was once accused of lacking the composure to control the game, well he has now matured and proved that he can do more than control proceedings. He is a brilliant running threat, deceptively quick and strong and is a good decision maker. However the question remains over Hook's ability to play under pressure, when he has played at 10 and the pack in front of him has been beaten up he can be flaky. O'Gara took his opportunity against Scotland and came back with a bang on the international scene. While he may have kicked too much, he played to his strengths and played brilliantly. While Jonny Sexton is a better running threat, O'Gara is world class at all other facets of fly-half play. Both Hook and O'Gara play the game in a different manner so their battle will be mouthwatering. Hook and the midfield will see O'Gara as a defensive weakness so he will kept busy in defense all game.

Prediction: This is a very difficult game to call, both sides will fancy their chances. Wales will have a brilliant home crowd behind them but Ireland won't fear a trip to Millennium Stadium given their recent history there. It is a cliche but the team that takes their opportunities will win. Both Ireland and Wales have been taking their chances for the most part so we could be in for a high scoring game. I'm hopeful of a quality match, which the tournament really needs. If you put a gun to my head, I'd plump for Ireland by 3-7 points but with not much confidence. It really is a toss up.

---

WRU logo taken from answers.com, IRFU logo taken from sportspeak.com

Player images taken from Sky Sports & Planet Rugby sources

Lineups, Refs and Times taken from:
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_6801871,00.html
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3820_6802003,00.html

Everything else is my own work.

duckysauce

cmon IRELAND

Quint2010

Great preview. I actually think the game will be won up front and in this regard Ireland have the edge. 23-16 to Ireland.

durkadurka

Maybe it's blind optimism but I think we're going to cut loose at some point and this could be it.

Timothy Bryce

durkadurka wrote: »

Maybe it's blind optimism but I think we're going to cut loose at some point and this could be it.

Agreed - I think we are a couple of passes away from giving a team a serious thrashing. Hopefully Wales will be that team!

Webbs

The battle in the forwards will be an intriguing one.

The scrum will hopefully be allowed to be a scrum and despite Wales losing their 2 best props will just shade this area. Wales haven't had too much problem at scrum time and I cant see this changing although I dont expect either side to get a real advantage, there will be penalties no doubt.

The second rows again are evenly matched. POC is coming back in to form and Bradley Davies apart from his one howler against Italy is proving to be a class ball carrier and provides a huge amount of shunt at scrum time. AWJ hasnt really sparked into life but is solid, he needs a big game, DOC similarly hasnt really done a huge amount wrong but not shone either.

The lineout is traditionally a disaster for Wales and whilst it has improved M Rees darts is OK, Wales do have a tendency to suffer at pressure lineouts. However, Ireland have had a poor season at lineout time, both Best and Cronins throwing has not been the best and maybe Ireland are missing the lineout skill of Hayes. Even so Ireland will just have the edge in this department.

The backrow, wow where do you start? I think this will be a cracker as both backrows are looking good as a unit.

Heaslip isnt playing as well as he can at the moment a few too many mistakes and penalties but he provides an excellent ball carrying option and is decent enough at ruck time if he joins them! He is up against Ryan Jones who is slowly getting back to form, while he has lost his explosiveness around the fringes he has turned into one of those players that is just a plain nuisance, and is really only noticed when he isnt playing, he doesnt give away that many penalties considering his style. Ireland will need to marshall him well if they want quick ball.

SOB has been a revelation for Ireland their best backrow forward and probably their best player this 6N, carries really well, excellent tackler and getting turnovers. Lydiate similarly for Wales seems as if he has been there for a long time, he doesnt have the ball carrying ability of SOB but not many do, he is however a class guy at rucktime either causing turnovers and slowing ball down.

Finally at 7 there are 2 contrasting styles, I think the Warburton is going to be a superb player he is quick to the breakdown, is invariably on the shoulder in support and has a good footballing brain. But he is up against Wallace and while many are writing him off that is ridiculous he is still at the top of his game, whilst more of a 6.5 than a 7 his carrying is excellent and it will be a battle royal at breakdown time between him and Warburton.

Should be a tight tough game, cant wait

Badgermonkey

It's been my favourite match of the championship for years, great fans, great stadium, passion, history and two teams capable of turning eachother over.

I've a feeling our pack could produce a ruthlessly efficient 80mins and strangle the welsh.

Our bench doesn't inspire though.

Good job Thomond.

profitius

Anyone know much about Warburton? Listening to the Welsh you'd think he was as good as Pocock! He might be for all I know.

thomond2006

profitius wrote: »

Anyone know much about Warburton? Listening to the Welsh you'd think he was as good as Pocock! He might be for all I know.

IMO the Welsh are the worst for hyping up the players. For many years they hyped Dan Biggar as the next best thing when he turned out to be an average player in reality.

Warburton has been good for Wales, not yet in Martyn Williams class (when Williams was in his prime). He's still young so he has time to get better. With him at 7 there is a good balance to the Welsh backrow. Lydiate does the destructive work, Warburton is the 'traditional' 7 and Jones is a ball carrying number 8.

TheRevolution

thomond2006 wrote: »

IMO the Welsh are the worst for hyping up the players. For many years they hyped Dan Biggar as the next best thing when he turned out to be an average player in reality.

Turned out to be average? Hes 21! hes far too young in his career to claim that he has turned out average. Already at such a young age he has 6 international caps, I think he will be the next best thing tbh.

Risteard

TheRevolution wrote: »

Turned out to be average? Hes 21! hes far too young in his career to claim that he has turned out average. Already at such a young age he has 6 international caps, I think he will be the next best thing tbh.

I'm not sure he'll be the next big thing but I agree it's certainly too young to declare him 'average.'

Sexton didn't get regular runs for Ireland 'till what 25/26?

As for hyping players I think generally speaking we have to look at ourselves for that.

stephen_n

thomond2006 wrote: »

IMO the Welsh are the worst for hyping up the players. For many years they hyped Dan Biggar as the next best thing when he turned out to be an average player in reality.

In fairness that's not the sole preserve of the Welsh

Hard to call but like others I think Ireland are not that far short of clicking and really blowing some team away might be Saturday but something makes me think this is going to be a tight one with less than 3 points in it.

RachaelVO

Smashing preview! Loved reading it...

Come on Ireland, and for the love of GOD get some discipline, no more giving away stupid penalties!

molloyjh

stephen_n wrote: »

In fairness that's not the sole preserve of the Welsh

Hard to call but like others I think Ireland are not that far short of clicking and really blowing some team away might be Saturday but something makes me think this is going to be a tight one with less than 3 points in it.

I wonder will it be like Leinster at the start of the season? It took the Munster game for it all to come together. The big rival, the one team we'd want to get one over on. I've a sneaking suspicion that we'll see a tight game this weekend and the show coming together in the Aviva against the English.

profitius

thomond2006 wrote: »

IMO the Welsh are the worst for hyping up the players. For many years they hyped Dan Biggar as the next best thing when he turned out to be an average player in reality.

Without doubt.

As for Bigger, I think hes a very good kicker but limited in other areas. He might come good. Sexton was different in that he probably has more talent but needed more time to reach his potential.

profitius

molloyjh wrote: »

I wonder will it be like Leinster at the start of the season? It took the Munster game for it all to come together. The big rival, the one team we'd want to get one over on. I've a sneaking suspicion that we'll see a tight game this weekend and the show coming together in the Aviva against the English.

Yeah against Scotland there were signs that they were starting to click. If they can play like that again and cut out the errors then they'll beat Wales. The lineout needs to be worked on though.

crisco10

profitius wrote: »

Yeah against Scotland there were signs that they were starting to click. If they can play like that again and cut out the errors then they'll beat Wales. The lineout needs to be worked on though.

In fairness, we close to clicking against france to, 6 tries is very healthy. And I think our defense is solid. If we stop giving away need less pens, we are sorted. The scotland game would have bee n a facile win, without the pens..

TheRevolution

Risteard wrote: »

I'm not sure he'll be the next big thing but I agree it's certainly too young to declare him 'average.'

Sexton didn't get regular runs for Ireland 'till what 25/26?

As for hyping players I think generally speaking we have to look at ourselves for that.

Sexton started getting selected ahead of O'Gara in AI 2009 so he would have been just turned 24 but thats beside the point, Biggar got starts ahead of a better outhalf and at a younger age. Hes definitely not average.

Noffles

I always like the opening of these game threads the rest is pretty predictable... so in the spirit of this...

Wales have played sections of each match well but not carried it on, with too many penalties giving and going to sleep once we've got ahead.... Lets see us not do any of this and win at home

GerM

Risteard wrote: »

Sexton didn't get regular runs for Ireland 'till what 25/26?

Poor old Jonny. Bloke doesn't even turn 26 for another 5 months. Hook has a lot to answer for with his "by the age of 26" comments in relation to Sexton!

PhatPiggins

TheRevolution wrote: »

Sexton started getting selected ahead of O'Gara in AI 2009 so he would have been just turned 24 but thats beside the point, Biggar got starts ahead of a better outhalf and at a younger age. Hes definitely not average.

Untill it became glaringly obvious that he has no game management of note and is now fourth choice for Wales.

He's a very average international but hides this fact well by having the odd stormer in the ML against poor teams ala the game against Glasgow a couple of weeks ago.

If anyone can provide an example of a good 80 minutes in a Welsh jersey or back to back decent performances in the HC from Biggar. I'll send you a gold star sticker

And to think the O's gave up Hook for him :pac::pac:

thomond2006

TheRevolution wrote: »

Turned out to be average? Hes 21! hes far too young in his career to claim that he has turned out average. Already at such a young age he has 6 international caps, I think he will be the next best thing tbh.

Aye I concede that was a poor example.

PhatPiggins

thomond2006 wrote: »

Aye I concede that was a poor example.

Don't he's played enough top class rugby to prove that he is. It's just that you're not allowed to criticise young players on here

tolosenc

Wales by 5, I reckon. Certainly don't stand a chance if we decide to give them a 20 point head start...

Risteard

GerM wrote: »

Poor old Jonny. Bloke doesn't even turn 26 for another 5 months. Hook has a lot to answer for with his "by the age of 26" comments in relation to Sexton!

Fair enough.

Sorry Johnny, it's just your mature visage that had me fooled.:pac:

trackguy

Poor Warren is concerned about Ireland's foul play

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9420873.stm

ambid

Good preview Thomond. Incisive as always.

Magic Eight Ball

trackguy wrote: »

Poor Warren is concerned about Ireland's foul play

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9420873.stm

****ing Gatland!
Pot kettle black!

GerM

Gatland knows exactly what he's doing. He's not very good at it but he knows what he's doing. Public pressure on the referee in front of a big home crowd could see a 50/50 go in his favour. Kaplan should be far too long in the tooth to succumb to such efforts though particularly from Gatland who makes a concentrated effort to supply one controversial interview ahead of every game in order to put pressure on the opposition.

PhatPiggins

trackguy wrote: »

Poor Warren is concerned about Ireland's foul play

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9420873.stm

:pac::pac::pac: Gatland is really awful with the mind games. You'd think he'd get better with practice but its not so.

I believe Wales are the most penalised team in the tournament

trackguy

PhatPiggins wrote: »

:pac::pac::pac: Gatland is really awful with the mind games. You'd think he'd get better with practice but its not so.

I believe Wales are the most penalised team in the tournament

Yeah, he could have picked something that he actually had a point on - targetting the scrum or something?

He just seems a little foolish - again.

SomeFool

trackguy wrote: »

He just seems a little foolish - again.

*awaits Welsh RWC exit after 15 man lineout*

PhatPiggins

SomeFool wrote: »

*awaits Welsh RWC exit after 15 man lineout*

Ironically it was Johnaton Kaplan who ruled the 15 man lineout illegal on the Irish tour to SA in 98 that Gatty was in charge of.

Some useless trivia for you.

some_dose

Make no mistake about it, this one will be close. What we have here are two teams on around the same level. It really does have the potential to be the most evenly contested fixture of the entire tournament.

Saying that, something deep down tells me Ireland may shade it. I just think we will have the edge on Wales in key positions and I think Ireland have more of a hunger for the victory. Cutting out the stupid penalties, we could even run away with it (I hope I won't have to eat my words).

Ireland by 10

chimchimney

The Welsh line speed has been fairly good this season from what I've seen. Ireland's defence has been reasonably good as well. In the early stages, I reckon ball-carriers on both sides will struggle to get across the gain line against the opposition's well organised defence. The result being a lack of good quality go-forward ball for the backs and the game will come down to game management by the respective half-backs.

Phillips has been off-form lately and Hook's kicking game is not his strong point so I reckon Ireland can gain the upper hand here. This will set the momentum in the game and ultimately i reckon will give Ireland the platform to win again in Cardiff.

walshb

Really hope we do it, but a betting man would surely have to back the Welsh in the Millennium. Rugby is such a game where that home advantage is so important. I know we have beaten them so many times away, but the Welsh team this year are looking good. We are looking good, but to get the win we need to be better. Home team advantage is about ten points IMO.

I said earlier that I think we stand a better chance at Aviva to beat England than we stand at Millennium.

Let us hope that the ****ing commentators and panelists don't ruin the game with their incessant criticism of the lads. Get behind them.

kevin99

Quint2010 wrote: »

Great preview. I actually think the game will be won up front and in this regard Ireland have the edge. 23-16 to Ireland.

Ireland should win easily, if they don't concede silly penalties. Wales have a very poor forward contingent and will be beaten in the front 5, line-out and open play.
Philips is too slow at scrum half. Either Wales want a third wing forward at the expense of slow ball delivery, or a nippy nine who can get the talented backline moving.
England took it easy in the second half against Wales earlier in the Championship having built uup a commanding lead by the break, and the final scoreline flattered the men from the valleys; so I expect Ireland to hit them hard, create plenty of space out wide and get at least three tries.

Final score Wales 9 Ireland 27

thomond2006

Rob McCusker and Jonathan Thomas complete the Welsh bench.

GerM

kevin99 wrote: »

Ireland should win easily, if they don't concede silly penalties. Wales have a very poor forward contingent and will be beaten in the front 5, line-out and open play.
Philips is too slow at scrum half. Either Wales want a third wing forward at the expense of slow ball delivery, or a nippy nine who can get the talented backline moving.
England took it easy in the second half against Wales earlier in the Championship having built uup a commanding lead by the break, and the final scoreline flattered the men from the valleys; so I expect Ireland to hit them hard, create plenty of space out wide and get at least three tries.

Final score Wales 9 Ireland 27

The Welsh pack is not as weak as we'd like to imagine. They've one or two weak links which really skew the look of the pack but the likes of Warburton are serious players and are in there on merit. Ryan Jones is coming back into some form after a disasterous couple of years and their second row is nothing to sneeze at and Rees has become a very good player over the years.

As mentioned above, home advantage is worth a few points in itself. Would like to think we'll win it simply because we're that bit more experienced where it counts but I cannot see more than a score being in it at the end. An English side that has been in better shape than us went there and only won by a single score in the end, we'll be doing well to match it.

Webbs

kevin99 wrote: »

Ireland should win easily, if they don't concede silly penalties. Wales have a very poor forward contingent and will be beaten in the front 5, line-out and open play.

Final score Wales 9 Ireland 27

Can you explain what you think is poor about the Welsh forwards?

jacothelad

Webbs wrote: »

Can you explain what you think is poor about the Welsh forwards?

I'd like to know that also. They have 3 Lions there for a start plus a great 2nd row in Bradley Davis and Warburton and Lydiate who are excellent young players and two decent props who would walk in to the irish squad....so ?

Risteard

jacothelad wrote: »

I'd like to know that also. They have 3 Lions there for a start plus a great 2nd row in Bradley Davis and Warburton and Lydiate who are excellent young players and two decent props who would walk in to the irish squad....so ?

Paul James and Mitchell wouldn't walk into our squad.

Jenkins and Adam Jones yes, but I wouldn't put their starting props above ours.

Agree with the rest of your post though, especially on Davies.

kevin99

Webbs wrote: »

Can you explain what you think is poor about the Welsh forwards?

The Welsh forwards don't play as a cohesive unit, but rather as individuals.
They are inexperienced compared to Ireland and the Irish front five will take them apart in the scrum. They try to mix it in the loose only to concede silly penalties or receive yellow cards. They don't have that explosive burst on the fringes and their ball handling skills leave a lot to be desired.
The Wales lineout has been, well a complete shambles and I can't see them improving that department against a sturdy Ireland.
None of that Wales forward division would get near the Irish team.
What have they achieved in terms of Grand Slams, Triple Crowns and as individuals with their Heinken Cup sides?
The Wales backrow will try to upset Ronan O'Gara as they have attempted to do in the past, only to find Rog and co. well able to deal with Wales provocation.
Referee Jonathan Kaplin will not tolerate any illegal tackles or off the ball incidents which Wales are renowned for. However, Mr Kaplin, a very astute and fair referee, along with his linesmen, will need to keep a watchful eye on any illegal punches being thrown at Ronan O'Gara and Reddan.
Remember Tony Copsey's straight arm that knocked out Neil Francis at a line out at Lansdowne Road many years ago !
I can only see one winner and they will be wearing the green jerseys and one loser and they will be crying in their beer with their fading daffodils.

jacothelad

Risteard wrote: »

Paul James and Mitchell wouldn't walk into our squad.

Jenkins and Adam Jones yes, but I wouldn't put their starting props above ours.

Agree with the rest of your post though, especially on Davies.

I meant the extended squad, not the match day one. Paul James is no great shakes when he is forced to scrummage legally but he is o.k. Craig Mitchell is a youngish guy, about 24 / 25 and looks as if he may be very good. Certainly as good as or better than any young Irish tight head.

bleg

Backed Ireland to win and layed against Shane Williams scoring .

kevin99

jacothelad wrote: »

I meant the extended squad, not the match day one. Paul James is no great shakes when he is forced to scrummage legally but he is o.k. Craig Mitchell is a youngish guy, about 24 / 25 and looks as if he may be very good. Certainly as good as or better than any young Irish tight head.

I meant to add that Mike Ross, Cian Healy and Rory Best are well capable of mixing it if the Welsh props fancy a go. And Donnacha doesn't take prisoners either and neither does any of our back row.
So if the Welsh team want to have a punt at our lads, there will only be one outcome - a walk to the wildside by the boys from the valleys.

Welsh rugby has been in decline for the past 15 years ever since the game went professional. The WRU has failed to embrace the professional game and hark back, like the Scottish Rugby Union, to the amateur days.

Ireland, which has the smallest rugby playing population in England, Scotland, France and Wales, introduced a proper professional playing structure for its Heineken cup clubs and the international team and it has paid off handsomely. Four Heineken cups Ulster (1), Leinster (1) Munster (2), a Grand Slam and countless Triple Crowns.

More people watch Heineken cup games in Ireland than in Wales or Scotland or England. Better fan base, better players, better underage structures.

Now, if we adopt the same structures for the Irish Cricket Team, God only knows where we will be in a few years' time!!!

Risteard

I think you're being pretty unfair with the whole 'better fan base' attitude.

From what I understand lots of Welsh Rugby fans don't care a lot about the regions, they prefer to support their clubs as the regions have no history. Imagine for example there were never provincial teams in Ireland and instead one day the IRFU just rocked up and said that all the Limerick clubs had to join and form one team, likewise with Cork teams and Dublin teams.

It would be pretty hard for the fans of those teams to just suddenly put aside traditional rivalries and support what is essentially a made up team. We didn't have that problem which is why people were quick to take up support of the provinces. Their success has also attracted lots of new fans to rugby who mightn't have watched before.

I don't think there's any doubt that the Welsh fans are just as passionate about their National side as we are.

profitius

I'm not knocking the Welsh team but I have to say that I've never seen anything of Alun Wyn Jones to justify him starting for the Lions a few years back.

profitius

kevin99 wrote: »

Now, if we adopt the same structures for the Irish Cricket Team, God only knows where we will be in a few years' time!!!

Theres no chance of cricket taking off like rugby did because its a dull game that isn't liked by the majority of people outside Dublin.

wavehopper1

kevin99 wrote: »

The Welsh forwards don't play as a cohesive unit, but rather as individuals.
They are inexperienced compared to Ireland and the Irish front five will take them apart in the scrum. They try to mix it in the loose only to concede silly penalties or receive yellow cards. They don't have that explosive burst on the fringes and their ball handling skills leave a lot to be desired.
The Wales lineout has been, well a complete shambles and I can't see them improving that department against a sturdy Ireland.
None of that Wales forward division would get near the Irish team.
What have they achieved in terms of Grand Slams, Triple Crowns and as individuals with their Heinken Cup sides?
The Wales backrow will try to upset Ronan O'Gara as they have attempted to do in the past, only to find Rog and co. well able to deal with Wales provocation.
Referee Jonathan Kaplin will not tolerate any illegal tackles or off the ball incidents which Wales are renowned for. However, Mr Kaplin, a very astute and fair referee, along with his linesmen, will need to keep a watchful eye on any illegal punches being thrown at Ronan O'Gara and Reddan.
Remember Tony Copsey's straight arm that knocked out Neil Francis at a line out at Lansdowne Road many years ago !
I can only see one winner and they will be wearing the green jerseys and one loser and they will be crying in their beer with their fading daffodils.

Huh?

CouchSmart

If Ireland click we can do some serious damage tomorrow, the same can be said for Wales too though. Being optimistic I think we're going to click and Wales aren't. Cian Healy is going to have a massive game (he hasn't gotten nearly enough credit for how well he's been playing) and score two tries. :P

Ireland by 13.