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6N Ireland v Wales

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KevinO

KevinO

Geoff Shaw (53)
Ireland loves the underdog status and that's exactly what the media is making them this campaign. Time for Joe to prove his the best coach in the 6 Nations and for Ireland to build depth so that at the next World Cup we can cover the loss of the big names ahead of a match.

I am going to go out on a Limb here, Sexton needs to retire before he ends up like Ali, it's a shame but at the end of the day his only 30 and has a lot to live for. I doubt he can make it to 2019 RWC so don't mind bringing Jackson in for the next few years to make sure his ready.

Peter O'Mahony and Henderson still being out is going to hurt Ireland at the breakdown, but I think they should have enough in the back line to win with Joe allows for a attacking game plan.
 
boyo

boyo

Mark Ella (57)
Wales team to play Ireland:
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).
 
mxyzptlk

mxyzptlk

Colin Windon (37)
Ireland team:

15. Simon Zebo
14. Andrew Trimble
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Keith Earls
10. Jonathan Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Nathan White
4. Devin Toner
5. Mike McCarthy
6. CJ Stander
7. Tommy O’Donnell
8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. James Cronin
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Donnacha Ryan
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ian Madigan
23. Dave Kearney

No Sean O'Brien or Rob Kearney, on top of no Peter O'Mahony, no Iain Henderson, no Cian Healy, no Mike Ross, no Chris Henry, no Luke Fitzgerald and no Tommy Bowe.

Surprised Simon Zebo is starting at fullback -- he's okay in space, but his defense has been more than questionable this season. I think many people would have preferred to see Payne at 15 with McCloskey at 12 and Henshaw at 13. Either Schmidt is seeing something in training that the rest of us aren't privy to, or maybe he's getting a case of the conservatives.

But McGrath has arguably been playing better than Healy for some time now, and Mike Ross is a known limited and diminishing quantity (he's just getting older). Samson Lee gets a lot of press, but he's had limited game time this season after his achilles exploded, and he tends to over-lean, so he can be dragged out of position through technique. Stander has the opportunity to take up the mantle of Big Bad Bastard that O'Connell has relinquished, and his all-action style will be necessary against Warburton and Tipuric. Not sure O'Donnell is the breakdown threat they need, but he should be able to keep up with Tipuric -- who is a breakdown threat, and fast, and athletic, and a threat all over.

But the Welsh can likely manage Ireland's aerial game; if Ireland are going to target Wales in the air, it'll probably be over Anscombe and James' heads. Guessing a lot of this game will come down to halfback precision and Irish center cleverness against Welsh center power.

Everyone's picking Wales, and Wales thrive on being chest-thumping favorites while Ireland seems to prefer being written off and under the radar. So Ireland have their excuses at the ready. All they need to do is ignore them to make this a competitive game.
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
boyo said:
Wales team to play Ireland:
Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Tom James (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues).
Click to expand...
Looks strong glad to see foxy back in the suicide spot at 13
 
Shelts89

Shelts89

Tom Lawton (22)
I'll take Wales for a tight win, Ireland's game is based of a good kicking game and making very few mistakes.... and Zebo is at Fullback. I like Zebo but he is prone to trying things and making the odd mistake and I think the Welsh will be able to take advantage.
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
Shelts89 said:
I'll take Wales for a tight win, Ireland's game is based of a good kicking game and making very few mistakes.. and Zebo is at Fullback. I like Zebo but he is prone to trying things and making the odd mistake and I think the Welsh will be able to take advantage.
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Hate when we re popular. Usually a portent of disaster
 
Shelts89

Shelts89

Tom Lawton (22)
I dunno why... This Ireland team doesn't look as strong as it has done over the last few years. It'll be close still... Schmidt has made Ireland a pretty tough side to beat and given them plenty of confidence.
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
Irish pack is wilting. Toner playing a blinder tho. Zebo is a mistake at fb. Henshaw or Trimble motm so far. God I'm glad foxy is back
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
Wish itv would employ Jonny as commentator. Only one speaking any sense. Alfie talking gibberish as usual. Bod wittering on about not much
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
Bloody hell the centres bashed six shades of shit out of each other. Wales still using the wingers as decoration. Lloyd Williams not v good. Priestland v composed other than two brain fart drop goal attempt. Foxy brilliant. Roberts too. Warbs forced to play lydiate game. Toby awesome. Tips too. All in all 6/10. Ireland defence v good
 
KevinO

KevinO

Geoff Shaw (53)
Interesting game, think you were a bit harsh on Zebo. He was not given a lot of opportunity to run but when he did looked very dangerous. Roberts robbed for MOTM, CJ was good but if I had to pick a Irish played McGrath did an incredible amount of work for a prop.

Trimble did not get his hands on the ball at all that I can remember, think Ireland were lucky to hold on but with all the injuries a draw is a good result. I don't think either of these teams will lose to the other 4 from what I have watched this weekend.

Hate to Agree, but Wilko was good up in the box.
 
Cardiffblue

Cardiffblue

Jim Lenehan (48)
KevinO said:
Interesting game, think you were a bit harsh on Zebo. He was not given a lot of opportunity to run but when he did looked very dangerous. Roberts robbed for MOTM, CJ was good but if I had to pick a Irish played McGrath did an incredible amount of work for a prop.

Trimble did not get his hands on the ball at all that I can remember, think Ireland were lucky to hold on but with all the injuries a draw is a good result. I don't think either of these teams will lose to the other 4 from what I have watched this weekend.

Hate to Agree, but Wilko was good up in the box.
Click to expand...
Trimbles defence was monsterous. What worries me is neither Schmidt nor cement seem to have learned lessons of rwc and rethought attack
 
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