Wales v Ireland (pre/during/post thread)

ON 13 MARCH 1948, Ireland played Wales in Ravenhill, Belfast, winning by a score of 6-3. Previous to that they'd beaten France in Paris 13-6, England in Twickenham 11-10, and Scotland in Lansdowne Road 6-0.

Jack Kyle, Bertie O'Hanlon, Michael O'Flanagan, Jimmy Nelson, Jim McCarthy, Paddy Reid, Colm Callan, Karl Mullen, Jim McCarthy, Barney Mullan, Jimmy Corcoran, AA McConnell, Bill McKay, Jack Mattson, Dudley Higgins, Hugh de Lacy, Ernie Strathdee, John Christopher Daly, Ernie Keeffe, Des O'Brien, Bob Agar, J.C. Daly

These are the men of the only Grand Slam winning Irish team in the history of the tournament. This is what the current squad hope to emulate on Saturday. The chance of a lifetime, one shot at immortality, a moment of history, and one for the grandchildren. This is not needless hyperbole, the fact of the matter is that what Ireland can achieve this Saturday has only been achieved by an Irish team once in the history of the Five/Six Nations Championship. Not since this group of players in 1948 has a team from this island defeated all of their opponents in Europe's leading international rugby tournament, a time when a lot of our parents probably weren't even around to witness it. Be thankful that you are, and as Declan Kidney said today, enjoy the week, because if you don't enjoy times like this you won't enjoy anything.

It's been steady and solid thus far, with a great opening win against the French leading into the summary dismissal of Italy followed by a real test against England. Last Saturday's display in Edinburgh was as good as the French performance, as what the team showed over the course of the game was a level of professionalism and calm that has rarely been a feature of the Irish game over the past couple of seasons. At times the Scots looked like they were primed to spoil the party as they've been known to do, but at pivotal moments in the game the Irish team stood up and were counted. The Bowe tackle, the Stringer snipe, the O'Gara drop-goal, and the death-by-Munster pick and go drives of the forward unit in the closing minutes all showed how much confidence this team has regained since Kidney took over at the helm.

No doubt somewhere in the west of Ireland, or perhaps even somewhere in the US rugby heartland around California and Colorado, a certain Eddie O'Sullivan will be quietly tuning in to see how his former players get on. In a period of new found confidence and hype around the Irish team, it's easy to forget O'Sullivan contribution, who was the captain of this ship for seven years. There's no doubt his tenure was a touch long, but the blame is at the IRFU's door rather than the former coach's, as who can begrudge a professional for accepting a lucrative financial offer when he has his family to consider. While he may not be penpals with the current coach, O'Sullivan developed a professionalism and a system that Declan Kidney will appreciate and is now benefitting from coupled with the strengths of his own unique style of management.

The Welsh would love nothing more to be the thorn in the side of their Celtic cousins. For a proud nation that sees rugby as it's national sport, they've always had a somewhat superior air with so many of their great players from the past being legends of the game. Two Grand Slams in four years is a record that was more like the French or English in that past couple of decades, but the Welsh established themselves as the Northern Hemisphere team to beat since the 2005 GS victory broke a 23-year hoodoo. Their visit to Paris ended their 2009 hopes, but they still have a very strong chance of the Triple Crown and the Six Nations Championship should they put the required number of points on Ireland. On their home turf they are more than capable of beating any team, and certainly it can be argued that they've the armoury to beat Ireland by the required 13 points on Saturday. Coach Warren Gatland would also like nothing more to ruin his former employer's chances having being acrimoniously replaced by O'Sullivan in 2001.

Onto the facts of the game, and the respective squads. Ireland have a full squad to choose from, with the only doubt being over Denis Leamy who was withdrawn with a suspected shoulder injury after half an hour in Murrayfield. In any event, the impact and previous match form of Jamie Heaslip makes it unlikely that a fully-fit Leamy would get a starting berth in the backrow. Peter Stringer's man-of-the-match performance on Saturday has given the selectors food for thought, and it is quite possible that his experience and resurgent form will give him an edge over Tomas O'Leary. At centre Gordon D'arcy appears to have enough form and match fitness to retain the number 12 shirt, but Paddy Wallace is a more than suitable replacement should the game require it. Hooker is the other key dilemma, with Rory Best having a decent game, although Jerry Flannery is neck-and-neck with him for selection, and it will probably come down to tactics.

The Welsh made nine changes for their narrow win over Italy in Rome, and certainly it hasn't thrown up the sort of selection dilemma that Gatland and co would've wished for. Tom Shanklin is likely to start at centre, with his partner being either Gavin Henson or Jamie Roberts, with Henson the favourite. Mike Phillips is almost certain to retain the scrumhalf position, and I expect Stephen Jones to edge James Hook at outhalf. Martyn Williams and Ryan Jones will return to the back row, with the number 8 jersey between Andy Powell, Jonathan Thomas and Dafydd Jones. On the wing it's a choice between experience and youth with Mark Jones and Leigh Halfpenny vying for the start. The front row will also see changes with Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Matthew Rees expected to return.

The well-publicised issues with Steve Walsh have seen Englishman Wayne Barnes step in as the man in the middle. I'm a fan of his style of refereeing; he's a no-nonsense, strict ref; decently consistent, and I expect him to have a good game. I can see both David Wallace and Martyn Williams conceding penalties, and Ireland will need to be extremely disciplined to ensure that they keep him onside. Barnes doesn't take backchat, or persistent fouling, and in his first outing as referee in the 2009 championship, he'll be quick to stamp out any discipline issues on both sides.

I've had the good fortune to be in attendance at both of Munster's Heineken Cup victories, a good number of internationals both in Lansdowne and Croke Park, including this season's victories over France and England - but in an instant I'd trade them for the opportunity to be in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. History has shown us that these opportunities don't come around very often, and the mass popularity of the sport in Ireland nowadays makes it more special. So wherever you are watching the game on Saturday, wherever green is worn, enjoy the day and the occasion. We're very lucky to be in a position where this is possible, and no matter what the outcome, we know that everyone involved with the team will be giving 110%. Stand behind the team, and support them as loud and as colourfully as you can, and be proud. This is our chance at history, and we should take it with both hands.

COME ON IRELAND!!!