Wales v Ireland Match Thread (thanks for nothing awec)

07-02-2021 12:07pm #1

Kick off 3:00PM | Millennium Stadium Cardiff | TV3

Intro

One of the best opening weekends of the six nations in recent memory comes to a conclusion this afternoon as the 2018 Grand Slam winners face the 2019 Grand slam winners.

It goes without saying that this is a must win for both teams but it's also a must win for both coaches. Wayne Pivac is under intense pressure having secured just 3 wins out of 10 matches for the Welsh national team.

Farrell - whilst not under the same degree of scrutiny will be mindful of how Ireland teams tend to perform after a shaky start and will look to build momentum from the outset.

Key differentiators

The biggest disparity I can see between the teams is with the 16 - 23 Jerseys. Ireland have a particularly strong forwards bench to throw at Wales including the fit again Tadgh Furlong.

The form of the regions as against the form of the provinces also can't be ignored in the build up to the game, nor can the lack of a usually raucous Welsh crowd in the Millennium stadium.

Who to watch

For Ireland it's the return to both form and fitness of some key players that paints the picture of our expectations. The return of Lowe and Furlong, the impressive form of O'Mahony, Beirne, Ryan and Henshaw along with Conor Murray seemingly firing on all cylinders is a source of confidence.

For Wales it's the opposite. The lack of minutes for stalwarts like Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens, the reliance on an aging backrow who Stephen Ferris feels are beyond their best and the absence of Liam Williams, Jonathon Davies and serial gender revealer Josh Adams have forced Pivac to play wing George North in mid field whilst relying on Hallem Amos at 11.

Conclusion

You can never under any circumstances dismiss Wales. They are always capable of turning a corner and much of this team have achieved at recent world cups and in the 2019 championship.

At home they are always a determined, intense and agressive force to be reckoned with.

But the collapse of form since Gatland's departure and the absence of key players also can't be ignored. I expect a tight first half but Ireland to drift out of reach of the Welsh as the benches impact the sway of the game in the second half.

Wales 11 Ireland 27

The Inbetween is mine · 07-02-2021 12:10pm

I do expect is to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if things went horribly wrong inside the first 20 minutes and we get a hosing....this fence is lovely and warm...

swiwi_ · 07-02-2021 12:33pm

Hmmm. Venjur calling it Wales 11-27 Ireland

*slips a tenner on Wales. Nothing like a sure bet.

07-02-2021 12:44pm

Just keep the ball in hand and establish a run game, that's all I'm asking.

Larbre34 · 07-02-2021 12:47pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Just keep the ball in hand and establish a run game, that's all I'm asking.

They'll play whats in front of them. If we're in traffic and we have to turn them around, clip their wings, then kicking is what we'll do. Some of the kicking out of hand in yesterday's two games was absolutely glorious.

swiwi_ · 07-02-2021 12:58pm

So what are we drinking? Yesterday was beer but today the fire is lit and the bottle of Writers Tears is open.

07-02-2021 1:00pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

So what are we drinking? Yesterday was beer but today the fire is lit and the bottle of Writers Tears is open.

Debating whether to bother but I admire you're bravery tucking into the Whiskey at 3 in the afternoon.

topdecko · 07-02-2021 1:04pm

I think Ireland by 11 or thereabouts. Think we are stronger than the Welsh in several positions and Scotland's super result yesterday will fire up the team. All to play for.
I will be sticking to tea though, strong tea ....will let it brew for a while till it gets that oily stuff on top. Get a right bang of that cuppa.

Paul Smeenus · 07-02-2021 1:24pm

Good match thread, Awec.

07-02-2021 1:27pm

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Good match thread, Awec.

swiwi_ · 07-02-2021 1:29pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Debating whether to bother but I admire you're bravery tucking into the Whiskey at 3 in the afternoon.

TBH, thinking of switching back to health doses of tannin.

The Inbetween is mine · 07-02-2021 1:37pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

So what are we drinking? Yesterday was beer but today the fire is lit and the bottle of Writers Tears is open.

I have redbreast 12yo cask strength... think I need it tbh

Piehead · 07-02-2021 1:50pm

A catastrophic campaign is probably what’s needed to remove Farrell and the remnants of the Schmidt era. And also move the geriatrics out of the team. We still have 2 years + to properly build to the 2023 World Cup

degsie · 07-02-2021 1:52pm

After yesterdays thrillers, I'm predicting borefest

Scratchly · 07-02-2021 1:55pm

Piehead wrote: »

A catastrophic campaign is probably what’s needed to remove Farrell and the remnants of the Schmidt era. And also move the geriatrics out of the team. We still have 2 years + to properly build to the 2023 World Cup

Hoping the team doesn't win all the games in the hope a different coach could win all the games. Fantastic logic.

Scratchly · 07-02-2021 2:11pm

Love Shane Jennings. Very insightful and plain talking and doesn't rely on all the clichés and bull**** that other pundits rely on to pad out their opinion.

mfceiling · 07-02-2021 2:11pm

Who the fcuk came up with that opening montage on Virgin?

Makes you hark back to the good old days of RTE.

Larbre34 · 07-02-2021 2:28pm

mfceiling wrote: »

Who the fcuk came up with that opening montage on Virgin?

Makes you hark back to the good old days of RTE.

Oh I dunno, we forget very quickly the absolute dose montages RTÉ were responsible for in their day.

PP are offering 8/1 for Ireland by 16-20 pts at the moment. Great value.

cantwbr1 · 07-02-2021 2:31pm

I just saw Ross Byrne in a VM pre-match clip. Has he been added to the match day panel?

Lost Ormond · 07-02-2021 2:33pm

cantwbr1 wrote: »

I just saw Ross Byrne in a VM pre-match clip. Has he been added to the match day panel?

No he isnt in match day 23.

.ak · 07-02-2021 2:34pm

Another match day opener, another great match thread from awec.

Thanks awec !

StevenToast · 07-02-2021 2:36pm

The only good thing ill say about Tv3 rugby is that they dont employ Liam Toland....

Bazzo · 07-02-2021 2:44pm

.ak wrote: »

Another match day opener, another great match thread from awec.

Thanks awec !

No table. 1/10

aloooof · 07-02-2021 2:47pm

Scratchly wrote: »

Love Shane Jennings. Very insightful and plain talking and doesn't rely on all the clichés and bull**** that other pundits rely on to pad out their opinion.

Personally, I’m really not a fan of Jennings at all. Very much like Horgan tho, find him quite insightful.

Joe Molloy an excellent anchor as well.

aloooof · 07-02-2021 2:53pm

Gimme Ireland by 9. Wales missing Jon Davies, Josh Adams and Liam Williams are massively losses for them which I think will be telling.

Mainly hoping we’ll see a bit more variety and looking to get it thru the hands tho.

The Inbetween is mine · 07-02-2021 2:55pm

We gave Wales early leads in 1917 & 1915 ....ok then

PTH2009 · 07-02-2021 2:56pm

Come on Ireland

Scratchly · 07-02-2021 2:56pm

Is this a minute silence or has my TV just frozen?

Sanjuro · 07-02-2021 2:56pm

Frozen for anyone else?

jamesbondings · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Feed is gone feck sake

walshb · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Sanjuro wrote: »

Frozen for anyone else?

Yes!

rodders999 · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Virgin Media Botchmania

SuperSean11 · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Sanjuro wrote: »

Frozen for anyone else?

I love that movie

Scratchly · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Had to switch to BBC One

FintanMcluskey · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

They are really disciplined with the silence for the anthem

DellyBelly · 07-02-2021 2:57pm

Goosebumps listening to this.. Come on Ireland

Larbre34 · 07-02-2021 2:58pm

Spared us some of Ireland's Call at least.

rodge123 · 07-02-2021 2:58pm

Switch to BBC, better picture too than the 1980s virgin signal!

swiwi_ · 07-02-2021 2:58pm

Great to see the players respecting the distance for the singing. Especially after that published study showing the anthems was much more dangerous than the scrum, maul or ruck for picking up Covid.