RWC Pool D, Ireland v Canada, 19/09/15, 14:30 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

P_1

Well here we are...

It's rasher sandwiches v bacon and maple syrup, hurling v ice hockey. It's Ireland v Canada.

I think it's safe to say a marker needs to be set here if Ireland are to be considered as contenders. Joe Schmidt names an arguably full strength side (bar a contentious decision or 2 in the backs) for the opener in Cardiff.

First to the teams:
Ireland: R Kearney; D Kearney, J Payne, L Fitzgerald, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross; I Henderson, P O'Connell (capt), P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, N White, D Ryan, C Henry, E Reddan, I Madigan, S Zebo.

Canada: M Evans; J Hassler, C Hearn, N Blevins, DTH Van Der Merwe; N Hirayama, G McRorie; A Carpenter, J Moonlight, K Gilmour; J Cudmore (capt), B Beukeboom, D Wooldridge, R Barkwill, H Buydens.
Replacements: B Piffero, D Sears-Duru, A Tiedemann, J Sinclair, R Thorpe, P Mack, L Underwood, C Trainor.

Ian Henderson steps in for Devin Toner (who doesn't make the 23) in the engine room while Cian Healy is waiting to cause carnage on the hour mark. Out in the backs there is no room for Robbie Henshaw or Tommy Bowe as Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls step in.

Canada have been in rather poor form, decisively losing the 49th Parallel Derby and while they have one or two bright lights, anything less than an emphatic bonus point win for Schmidt's men will have eyebrows the world over elevated slightly. The bookies certainly agree with the handicap being set at a steep 40 points.

So then Canadians, let's be 'aving ye...

circos

I cant believe its here...I'm so excited. COME ON IRELAND!

Noopti

Ireland by an absolute country mile. +50

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Noopti wrote: »

Ireland by an absolute country mile. +50

They'll have to give us 2 bonus points!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n2qGTx2MR4

That press conference video is terrible. Doesn't answer anything.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

That press conference video is terrible. Doesn't answer anything.

It really did avoid the big questions.

Is there a God?
GOT

Is Jon Snow really dead?

Is there any truth at all in Santa?

chris85

Cant wait. Its like Christmas eve at moment.

[Deleted User]

[Deleted User] wrote: »

It really did avoid the big questions.

Is there a God?
GOT

Is Jon Snow really dead?

Is there any truth at all in Santa?

OMG spoilers! I still haven't finished the new testament

Wang King

I'd expect the Wolfhounds to steamroller Canada, I'd be looking more at performances and see how the backs dovetail more than anything else. We could, and should have a BP by halftime

munsterlegend

hopefully cian healy gets on for 20-30 minutes and no injuries together with the bonus point win is whats required.

.ak

I think a lot of people are under rating Canada. Don't get me wrong, I think we should convincingly hammer them, but there's a few new combos on the pitch for us, a pretty unfamiliar back three, we may stutter a bit and Canada have always managed to pick up the intensity for world cups, they have a very mobile and physical pack, I imagine they'll give us a good go for the opening quarter, it'll be just about us not forcing it and keeping our shape and eventually the scores will come and they'll lose their shape. DTH and Evans are quality players too, if we fall asleep they can exploit it.

I think we'll get a BP win, but it'll late in the game before we get a 4th try if at all.

It's the Romania game that we'll really run up a big score.

munsterlegend

.ak wrote: »

I think a lot of people are under rating Canada. Don't get me wrong, I think we should convincingly hammer them, but there's a few new combos on the pitch for us, a pretty unfamiliar back three, we may stutter a bit and Canada have always managed to pick up the intensity for world cups, they have a very mobile and physical pack, I imagine they'll give us a good go for the opening quarter, it'll be just about us not forcing it and keeping our shape and eventually the scores will come and they'll lose their shape. DTH and Evans are quality players too, if we fall asleep they can exploit it.

I think we'll get a BP win, but it'll late in the game before we get a 4th try if at all.

It's the Romania game that we'll really run up a big score.

while we know after 2007 what can go wrong i don't expect any complacency under this regime. i will call it 65-9 to ireland.

irishbucsfan

I've only seen Canada a couple of times over the last while but from what I've seen we should be putting up a very big score. Particularly if they're unable to slow us down when we have the ball.

jacksie66

This post has been deleted.

Losty Dublin

.ak wrote: »

I think a lot of people are under rating Canada. Don't get me wrong, I think we should convincingly hammer them, but there's a few new combos on the pitch for us, a pretty unfamiliar back three, we may stutter a bit and Canada have always managed to pick up the intensity for world cups, they have a very mobile and physical pack, I imagine they'll give us a good go for the opening quarter, it'll be just about us not forcing it and keeping our shape and eventually the scores will come and they'll lose their shape. DTH and Evans are quality players too, if we fall asleep they can exploit it.

I think we'll get a BP win, but it'll late in the game be.

AK is a natural in his new George Hook role.

.ak

Losty Dublin wrote: »

AK is a natural in his new George Hook role.

I just think we need to manage expectations a little.

Bridge93

Where is Tyler Ardron?

Teferi

.ak wrote: »

I think a lot of people are under rating Canada.

I've watched quite a few of their games over the last few months and while they're an athletic bunch you really couldn't call them too skilled at all. They've also been playing like dregs compared to other minnows. Anything less than a try bonus point win isn't a great result for me.

bilston

While I fully expect a decent sized win tomorrow you all have to remember that it is a very different proposition playing the likes of Canada and Romania in a World Cup than in a November test in between world cups. These guys will have had three months together and they will have all their best players available. Yes we should beat them comfortably, but other than Namibia* and Uruguay I'd be surprised to see too many teams getting beaten by enormous scores (60+).

I'd be pleasantly surprised if we beat Canada by more than 40 points tomorrow.

*Namibia v New Zealand will not be pleasant viewing at all.

Uriel.

To be honest, all I want out of tomorrow is comfortable win, the bonus point, all 23 to have a run out, and no injuries.

redmca2

Uriel. wrote: »

To be honest, all I want out of tomorrow is comfortable win, the bonus point, all 23 to have a run out, and no injuries.

Couldn't agree more.

Hopefully the hype and media unanimity that we will wipe the floor with Canada will be tempered by Joe and the team so that they remain patient.

The idea of a bonus point by half time is great, but both the team and the fans need to accept the Canada will probably up up some reasonable resistance in the early stages and it could take us well into the 2nd half to break them down completely.

Akrasia

redmca2 wrote: »

Couldn't agree more.

Hopefully the hype and media unanimity that we will wipe the floor with Canada will be tempered by Joe and the team so that they remain patient.

The idea of a bonus point by half time is great, but both the team and the fans need to accept the Canada will probably up up some reasonable resistance in the early stages and it could take us well into the 2nd half to break them down completely.

What I'm looking for is accuracy and intelligent play. I don't want to see a load of unforced errors or ill discipline.

chupacabra

I predict Ireland by a few tries but only towards the end, Henderson to absolutely rampage all day long and DTH van der Merwe to score a try.

rrpc

chupacabra wrote: »

I predict Ireland by a few tries but only towards the end, Henderson to absolutely rampage all day long and DTH van der Merwe to score a try.

I don't know about that. We've often started at a fast pace to really put pressure on the opposition and gain territory and points quickly. Sometimes it doesn't come off and we cede possession and end up defending for the first quarter, so I expect accuracy foremost (something we've only had in flashes in the warm ups).

Getting points on the board early can really change a game and it takes a determined opposition to come back from early concessions.

Buer

We'll win and do so with plenty to spare I would imagine but those thinking we'll win by 50+ are deluded.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Bridge93 wrote: »

Where is Tyler Ardron?

Injured apparently.

I watched a few of Canada's matches in the Pacific Nations thing and they were very poor. Granted they're one of those teams that gets about a week together before a match if they're lucky. This extended period of training together will, you'd assume, have done them some good but still, I'd be expecting a comfortable win and to have it wrapped up quite easy. I'd like us to be ruthless, to be honest. If we do have the BP in the bag by half time I don't want us taking the foot off and allowing them sneak a consolation try. I want dominance for the full 80 minutes, I want to see them cry in shame!!!!!

rrpc

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Injured apparently.

I watched a few of Canada's matches in the Pacific Nations thing and they were very poor. Granted they're one of those teams that gets about a week together before a match if they're lucky. This extended period of training together will, you'd assume, have done them some good but still, I'd be expecting a comfortable win and to have it wrapped up quite easy. I'd like us to be ruthless, to be honest. If we do have the BP in the bag by half time I don't want us taking the foot off and allowing them sneak a consolation try. I want dominance for the full 80 minutes, I want to see them cry in shame!!!!!

Well it's been the hallmark of Joe Schmidt to be ruthless. I don't think anything annoys him more than lads taking their foot off the gas and conceding points late in the game. You often here mention of it in post match interviews when something like that happens.

P_1

En route to Bristol with cans in hand, the tuts from the English rush hour commuters are audioable. Ah well. Cmon Ireland

sullivlo

In Cardiff. It's pretty much green.

molloyjh

I'm getting really pumped for this game, forgone conclusion and all as it is. It's like Christmas when I was a kid. Cannot wait.

Stheno

molloyjh wrote: »

I'm getting really pumped for this game, forgone conclusion and all as it is. It's like Christmas when I was a kid. Cannot wait.

I'm getting up early tomorrow and doing a massive amount of housework to excuse me spending the rest of the day watching ALL the matches

pickarooney

I'm hoping for some quality beards.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

TV3 are showing thr Georgia match from 11 but said they're showing the Ireland build up from 1. That doesn't work time wise. Are they going to start the first match on TV3 and then change it to 3e in the middle of it?

ThisRegard

Yeah, apparently that's what they're doing.

Personally I think the build up is too long and will be a borefest.

Stheno

ThisRegard wrote: »

Yeah, apparently that's what they're doing.

Personally I think the build up is too long and will be a borefest.

Half an hour of a build up is enough, are tv3 doing an hour and a half?

ThisRegard

Yeah, starts at 1. The Georgia game coverage starts on 3e at 12.50.

Stheno

ThisRegard wrote: »

Yeah, starts at 1. The Georgia game coverage starts on 3e at 12.50.

Sounds like a right kludge.

Though, given that when they announced the panel/commentators to the press they said that the aim was to involve non rugby viewers I suppose they are just trying to entice in more viewers, knowing that the die hards will switch to 3e?

PTH2009

It's going to be a game of the century Tonga v Georgia

Stheno

PTH2009 wrote: »

It's going to be a game of the century Tonga v Georgia

Well personally I'd like to watch it to get a bit more familiar with the players etc

duckysauce

PTH2009 wrote: »

It's going to be a game of the century Tonga v Georgia

will actually be interesting . Godzilla will be fun

pickarooney

I would not like to be commentating on Tonga V Georgia.

kuang1

Good morning all!
Jaysus England were nervy last night...would love to get them in the SF. I think Australia will top that group though.

I'm waking up in Cardiff this morning. Lot of Irish fans around last night. All of whom I spoke to seemed to have organised their trips 9/12 months ago. (As I did)
Brilliant feel to the place I have to say. The locals seem to be really glad that the RWC is underway.
Smiling faces everywhere.

Ireland by 46 points.

IT'SHEREATLASTTHANKSBETOFOOK! COMEONDELADS!!!!!!!

vienne86

Today's the day at last - bonus point and no injuries and get out of there is what I hope for. Enjoy the day in Cardif, travellers!

errlloyd

My flight to Birmingham was crammed with Irish fans at 7am. Certainly feels like an invasion. C'mon on Ireland.

sullivlo

errlloyd wrote: »

My flight to Birmingham was crammed with Irish fans at 7am. Certainly feels like an invasion. C'mon on Ireland.

I was in an Aussie bar last night and it was pretty much dominated by Irish jersies. There was a group of Canadians - some of them ex-international players - and a scattering of English supporters. But we are most definitely invading Cardiff this weekend.

crybaby

Has Bowe been dropped or is he nursing a knock?

P_1

I can confirm lots of dishevelled looking folk in green assembling for the invasion in Bristol

irishbucsfan

About to emerge out of the Welsh countryside myself, looking forward to the great invasion

aimee1

If we get a good solid start and a few scores on the board i think we could hit 50. Feeling confident of a good step up from The warm ups

total former

crybaby wrote: »

Has Bowe been dropped or is he nursing a knock?

Dropped, or forced out by Dave Kearney, depending on how you want to look at it.

Wouldn't rule him out of making as comeback for the later games; form is temporary etc.