I think people are looking at this match as being against Wales historically and not Wales 2026.
When we played Italy who are a good bit better than Wales players were "rested" but now they are "dropped". This is the game more than any where we should have a bit of squad rotation.
The issue, for me at least, is that post WC we have had an aging group in the centres, who are playing well below their previous high standards. They've been persisted with, despite many younger alternatives playing well at the Provinces. Our attack has suffered, in no small part, due to the dearth of creativity and threat offered through the centre. McCloskey has gone a long way towards rectifying that, but he's also old unfortunately. Ringrose can seemingly have an unlimited number of poor performances, without coming under pressure. Farrell doesn't carry all the water for that, Cullen has been far too slow to back youth in the centre too.
It's not shiny new thing syndrome at this point. It's recognising that a younger player genuinely offers more upside than the incumbent, which offsets the lack of experience. Something that they can gain by being played, here and now, rather than 12 months from now if/when the wheels fall off one of the lads in situ, and we're put in a bind when Farrell's hand is forced.
The RWC is next year, there's no reason for age concerns for a player who has shown zero signs of decline. If anything Stu looks quicker and sharper recently, he'll be fine for the RWC timeframe.
Stu is on fire. Not concerned that his form is going to go off a cliff.
Still have age concerns though (injury/age). He gets injured, and they play who? Bundee? Robbie?
Im sure Farrell wont go to RWC with 35 year old Stu & 37 year old Aki as his tried and tested.
Its prudent that he gets time in to an alternative at 12. The outstanding candidate* is Osborne.
This summer is the time to do it.
*Considering age profile of alternatives and Henshaws age profile and injury record.
I know what you mean and I hope Ireland come flying out of the traps tonight for a number of reasons: Firstly, Left wing and LH look like a little weak. A good start will help their respective defensive and scrum issues/pressures.
Those two selections indicate to me that Farrell is in someway treating Wales as "Wales 2026".
If Wales start well and score an early try this will be anything but an easy BP win.
I think Ireland will win and with a BP but they have to start well. Dont give Wales a sniff.
Really want to see JC 'kick-on', loads of room for improvement and would love to see more of him running with the ball (nice break v Eng) and making those wider passes when the break is on out wide.
Hoping a fast start will also mean Doak can get a good 30mins to show what he can do.
as long as McCloskey is playing at the level he's at right now then he should be left in there and nobody else should be getting an opportunity against tier 1 opposition.
And therein lies the problem ladies and gents.
Stu is 34. He might be able to continue his form through to the World Cup. But given his age, there’s a good chance his form drops. Or he gets injured. What then? What’s our solution? 37 year old Bundee Aki?
That’s where we are right now. Praying for dear life that a 34 year old continues to be excellent and available, otherwise it’s an out of form 37 year old who can’t even start for his province.
You're probably the only poster on here who think Aki will play in the RWC
I mean, he keeps getting selected for squads and we’re not looking at anyone else. What’s there to suggest that he won’t be in the squad?
Stu mc might have the age but he's not even on the same planet say as Henshaw when it comes to the years of mileage & hard hits against test level opposition & at the business end of European rugby.
If he was playing in Top 14 i'd be more concerned but he is relatively fresh compared to Henshaw & Aki.
I hope to see Osbourne at 12 during the summer though
I was just about to say that I think that the reason McCloskey is playing so we'll at his age is because he doesn't have a huge amount of hard millage on the clock. He doesn't have a huge amount of international caps (less than he deserves imo) and playing for Ulster for the last decade means he hasn't had a lot of big knock out games at the end of the season.
For a big centre who really uses his physicality, he probably hasn't taken/given the number of big hits you might expect. He is probably therefore in relatively good nic. Despite that, age will catch up with him at some stage and that could we'll be within the next 18 months. Giving someone else (there are several candidates) half a dozen caps at 12 between now and the WC would be a sensible thing to do imo.
we’re not looking at anyone else
Of the last ten games Ireland have played, Aki has started one. He’s fit and available tonight and not in the 23.
Once again, I’m baffled.
desperate response from tom shanklin and yes, the article itself is also desperate in its own way. i can almost guarantee that the 'author', shanklin or most people on here have actually listened to it
the gist of it was that they didnt want to mollycoddle wales as they thought they deserve better than that, which is fair to be honest. one of the hosts is a comedian ffs, people shouldnt really be getting up in arms about it
"We're not looking at anyone else"
Well that's your first mistake right there.
There are none so blind.......
.....
Perfect response.
Lovely interview on Newstalk radio 'The Hard Shoulder' this evening (should be available on https://www.newstalk.com/listen-back later)
with a Ireland rugby fan who struck up a friendship with some Welsh fans before a game 50 years ago & which has continued to this day.
Rugby eh …
Love hearing thiz. Will listen later. Thanks
Rugby!
Less of those attention seeking podcasters and more of this please
That's fair enough…
I happen to catch that on the way back from the dentist (Refix a crown which dates back to 1983ish. Front teeth kicked out playing rugby. Ahhh the days) Great story about a certain Rugby correspondents da. Lovely story about Rugby and friendship.
Sam Prendergast is out on the pitch as part of the warm up, working with the kickers.
With Porter, Boyle, McCarthy and Loughman injured, we have a newly converted tighthead as our fifth choice loosehead. Danger of conceding penalties and getting yellow cards. If the scrum and disclipine holds up, we should prevail
Even with a decent LH from the AIL we would beat this Welsh team. They are awful!
Enjoying Alex Cuthbert here. Very frank and honest about the state of the Welsh game at the moment.
I am a pessimist when I come to sport, it helps me deal with dissappointments
1 Free Infraction to whoever puts up a quick match thread (I'm stuck on a phone only)
*terms and conditions apply
RTE punditry is gone to the dogs!
Think tonight will be closer than people expect. I'm going for Ulster by 5
I mean the scrum could give Wales access into the game so I wouldn't discount them completely. They are the most momentum team you'll ever see. If they get their tails up it could become harder than you think. I still expect us to win, but a stable scrum is pretty important!
it’s the pits
You'd miss Hook, Popey and O'Shea with McGuirk for sure.
Although that explosion just made Stevie Ferris think he was back in Belfast of the 80s, which was hilarious.
Lads. Wales lost by 50 to Argentina, England and France. We should absolutely pump them.
