Ireland v Wales. Sat 24th Feb, 14:15 RTÉ2

Mr Disco

Who will win? Ireland easily no doubt. Whales have little in the tank these days. Gatland more than regrets his return. Spicy affair usually. Many not this one!

MOD: If you're going to start a thread, do the title properly. This is the third 6N thread you've started and the third one that you've added something smart and gotten basic details wrong.

StreetLight

Whales can play rugby? You learn something new every day.

StevenToast

How many fùck ups can you have in a thread title?

Edit...Mod Fixed...

sydthebeat

Same tool that fcuked up the previous match thread... Probably thinks they're edgy

gipi

No such time as 14.15pm.....

Danny Drier

6/2 split looks odd when one of the 2 is an unversatile mccloskey

blue5000

I found an old Irish Times from 1955, thought this was a good place to put a picture. Jack Kyle is the only name to ring a bell for me

Neither team back then were in the running for a Triple crown.

Mods feel free to move it.

leakyboots

That must be Lions legend Tony O'Reilly in there also is it?

crossman47

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808262#Comment_121808262

Yes and Cliff Morgan on welsh team.

magic mike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808262#Comment_121808262

It is indeed the great Tony O'Reilly. Other Lions legends on that day included Cecil Pedlow, Noel Henderson, Robin Thompson, Robin Roe etc. the 55 Lions tour to South Africa was captained by Ulster player Thompson and managed by another Ulsterman, Jack Siggins. The series ended in a 2-2 draw.

magic mike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808324#Comment_121808324

Yep, who not only commentated on 'that' try by gareth edwards for the BaaBaas, but who also played a pivotal role in one of the most iconic tries of all time on that tour, scored by Pedlow. (I tried to post the link but I can't be trusted yet- as I'm an ancient newbie)

phog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808107#Comment_121808107

Excellent find, as already said that is Tony O'Reilly.

leakyboots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808419#Comment_121808419

Welcome! Didn't realise it was that Cliff Morgan!

part time punk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121804672#Comment_121804672

Is Larmour injured? Thought he'd have been a much better option given 6-2 split

ersatz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121808327#Comment_121808327

edit

O Reilly made is his debut at 18 in the same year against France.

Clegg

Wales weren't as bad as the scoreline suggests. Showed some good skills and frustrated Ireland quite a bit.

But their discipline was terrible. Gave away two penalties for next rolls in quick succession and couldn't stop infringing at the ruck. Think the Ireland squad is full of better athletes too. Just out muscled them in the final 25 minutes.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121810016#Comment_121810016

Are you a clairvoyant now clegg??

😛

Podge_irl

Italy making a solid game of it against France. 20-16 to France after a try just now, but the Italian scramble defence has been very good, albeit ropey in the middle of the pitch.

They just can't make their possession count for anything though.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121810081#Comment_121810081

this is in the wrong thread...anyway

We'll hammer Wales.

randomname2005

Nervous that it will be closer than the media and some folks here expect. Expect Ireland to win but Gatland (auto correct trying to give me garland) and Wales always raise their game against us. And worried an early injury in the backs will destroy everything

Ireland to Bonus point victory in 3rd gear.

this young Wales team haven’t played a team anywhere near the calibre of this Irish one yet.

Hopefully a good atmosphere at Lansdowne

Jump_In_Jack

Reading Gatland’s comments about the terrible state of the Welsh regions, interesting that he isn’t convinced they’ll ever sort it out. Very envious of the Irish structures.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2024/0222/1433847-gatland-right-structures-gives-ireland-advantage/

Clegg

Ireland should win comfortably, but it may take a good while to break Wales down. They've only conceded nine penalties across two games. That's a freakish stat and if they can keep their discipline we may find it hard to gain consistent entries into their 22.

Wales might also have some success targeting the breakdown. Italy slowed down Ireland's ball and got a few very good turnovers and I'd expect Reffell to really have a go there.

We've better players, especially in the pack where our forwards look so much more powerful. The respective benches are weighted far in Ireland's favour too.

Akrasia

Here are the teams for today's match in case anyone is wondering what year it is

Ireland

: Ciarán Frawley; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: 

Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey.

Wales: 

Cameron Winnett; Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Elliot Dee, Keiron Assiratti; Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard; Alex Mann, Tommy Reffell, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 

Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Llyod, Mason Grady.

Referees are

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)

ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng)

Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Akrasia

Delighted to see Jager making his first Irish cap. Very good for Irish rugby to get him into the international set up this soon after joining Munster in a position we are really struggling for depth in

Frawley at full back is probably the right call although he is very inexperienced there. If he doesn't play well, Mike Haley is waiting having played well in the few games since his return from long term injury

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121809523#Comment_121809523

Larmour is not international standard in his preferred position, never mind as full back or utility bench cover

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811361#Comment_121811361

Just remember that Frawley is basically playing for 4th full back spot, and benefits being in the squad due to versatility.

If Haley is to be seen as a viable option, he needs to offer more to the squad than JOB, Hansen and Frawley.

Ironically I think the best change of a squad spot for Haley is if Keenan was ruled out for a longer term, which doesn't seem likely with his injury profile.

Akrasia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811386#Comment_121811386

I don't think it's ironic to suggest that a specialist full back is more likely to make the squad to replace the only other specialist full back if he picks up a medium to long term injury.

If the other backs are good enough to cover Keenan in a pinch then AF will not use a squad place another specialist FB if Keenan is available. But if Frawley has a poor game at FB, then the argument for at least bringing Haley in to train becomes stronger given that Hansen and Job are both injured and Keenan is uncertain

magic mike

Great opportunity for Frawley today. I hope he smashes it and starts putting pressure on Hugo as he needs some serious competition to make him even better. 15 is the one of the few positions where there is no serious competition for the shirt.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121810983#Comment_121810983

Nervous and worried...about a shocking Wales in Dublin.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121810983#Comment_121810983

No they don't. They havent won in Dublin since 2012. We beat them 34-10 in Wales last year and that was arguably a better Wales team.

All_in_Flynn

In all reality we win even if we don't play particularly well. I still can't help feeling nervous as I just really dislike Gatland and seeing his face if they pull off the unthinkable would ruin my year.

Hope Frawley goes well. Like to see him carry hard a few times.

kowloonkev

I feel like Ireland will slip up at some stage in this championship and don't think they'll get a grand slam. Just can't see it being a totally seamless transition from Sexton to Crowley. If it was that would be some achievement.

They said to Gatland on ITV that all the talk was how much Ireland would win by and he had a sly grin on his face. They lost by a point to Scotland and two points to England. Yes, Ireland should win comfortably but there is potential for egg on faces if they're at all complacent.

walshb

I think we’ll do it today. Could be tough, but should get over the line.

theVersatile

Ireland by 13.

Never underestimate a Welsh team's (especially a Garland lead Welsh team) ability to drag you down to their level

Dick phelan

I'm very confident we will win but don't think it will be all one way traffic.

FrancieBrady

Aviva surface looks great after the abomination of that plastic pitch at the U20's

LambshankRedemption

Finally. Ireland's Call being played at the right tempo.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121811994#Comment_121811994

I'm not underestimating it, I'm estimating it. Wales have been poor, even under Gatland, for some time now.

All_in_Flynn

'Mon Tadhg

walshb

Fitst Italian to referee a 6N match? That right???

LambshankRedemption

I predict this to be the first really difficult game for Ireland. Still a victory for us, but certainly not as clear cut as last weeks.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812029#Comment_121812029

yes

walshb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812032#Comment_121812032

Sounds mad.. been in 6N since 2000…formation

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812036#Comment_121812036

Yeah, took me by surprise I have to say.

LambshankRedemption

Clipping Bundi Acki's hip with your neck must be like head butting a concrete block.

theVersatile

Some nice patterns being played off the goalline drop out and the previous lineout. Just started forcing it a bit after.

Excellent turnover from Bundee

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121812030#Comment_121812030

I would have disagreed before the match and on the evidence of the early exchanges and shape of attack, I disagree even more.

Ireland have it well within them to completely demoralise this Wales team in all facets long before half time.

FrancieBrady

Wales having to work very hard. Could see a big score here

Burkie1203

Josh Adams plays international rugby and tackles with his head

irelandrover

Is that 5 penalties against Wales already? After only conceding 9 in the previous 2 games