Ireland v Wales 2018 6Ns

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Wales do look strong and will be boosted by those guys returning, but I think people are forgetting how good we are too.

Ordinarily I don't think that announcing a team early in the week matters much, but I'm surprised Wales have done so now because the three changes in their back line really transforms how they can both attack and defend. The kicking battle is transformed now. I have a slight hope that the changes might mean that Wales are fixated with our kicking game and might overdo it when covering the back field.

[Flash Gordon]

I am a huge fan of Tipuric too.

They would be the 2 good players on the bench for me. The rest.... Meh. Gatty will have them well up for it though. We could easily lose this.

And I just got a present of 2 tickets... Yaaaay

Lucky b$&%@#d!!! Very jealous! Enjoy!

[Flash Gordon]

Wales do look strong and will be boosted by those guys returning, but I think people are forgetting how good we are too.

Ordinarily I don't think that announcing a team early in the week matters much, but I'm surprised Wales have done so now because the three changes in their back line really transforms how they can both attack and defend. The kicking battle is transformed now. I have a slight hope that the changes might mean that Wales are fixated with our kicking game and might overdo it when covering the back field.

They are very good and as you say, so are we. It should be a cracker of a game! On balance I think we'll win but it will be close and I'd be a lot happier if we had Henshaw or Payne in the center.....

[simonokeeffe]

Tadhg Furlong still not training fully so one must assume he cant/wont start

[paddyor]

Wales do look strong and will be boosted by those guys returning, but I think people are forgetting how good we are too.

Ordinarily I don't think that announcing a team early in the week matters much, but I'm surprised Wales have done so now because the three changes in their back line really transforms how they can both attack and defend. The kicking battle is transformed now. I have a slight hope that the changes might mean that Wales are fixated with our kicking game and might overdo it when covering the back field.

He's always done this. Don't be surprised if there's a late change for Biggar.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I know but usually the team is more predictable, there were big questions marks over Biggar and Williams though, think Halfpenny was expected.

[desperado]

Wales do look strong and will be boosted by those guys returning, but I think people are forgetting how good we are too.

Ordinarily I don't think that announcing a team early in the week matters much, but I'm surprised Wales have done so now because the three changes in their back line really transforms how they can both attack and defend. The kicking battle is transformed now. I have a slight hope that the changes might mean that Wales are fixated with our kicking game and might overdo it when covering the back field.

He's always done this. Don't be surprised if there's a late change for Biggar.

you know I was thinking exactly the same thing; we plan for Biggar.. he gets a 'knock' on the Captains run and Patchell or Anscombe start. Of course it goes without saying we have to concentrate on our game and how we're going to play but....

[Ruckedtobits]

The key player is the Scarlets scrum half who has a wind-up pass which isn't fast through the air. He is an excellent runner - probably better than Conor Murray - but he is vulnerable to one-on-one pressure and there's no doubt Easterbunny will have spotted it and planned for it. NZ always consider that one weakness is all you need to expose at International level. Gareth Davies is the man to target.

[suisse]

I would be really surprised if both Dan Biggar and Liam Williams are fully fit to start this game. It complicates the situation for Ireland a little. I would imagine they expected both to be named but have contingency plans in place in case one or both dropped out. The thing is, Wales know this is their season. Win this, and they'll probably feel the Championship is there even though they are relying on others (Scotland or Ireland to beat England). Gatland probably feels a risk or two is needed and had Wales been hosting Scotland, Italy or France, for example, maybe he wouldn't have named this team.

I can't see those bookie odds at all. For me, heart says Ireland, head says Wales if the two lads are fully fit. I just don't know where our tries are going to come from. I know some posters like to trot our stats in November internationals, but they mean little here. We don't score often enough against France, England and Wales. If Wales score 2 tries in this game, with 1/2P kicking, they'll win this game. I really can't see Ireland scoring more than 20 points. They were a converted try from beating England.

Even if Furlong doesn't make it, I still think we have a better 1-10 than Wales. Not by much, but our team is a little stronger. 11-15 is all Wales for me. I know Earls is in great form, Stockdale has unbelievable potential and Murray Kinsella wrote a piece about Rob Kearney, but overall, that's where we're weakest. We'll probably spend 80 mins trying to pound Aki over the gainline without freeing the wingers much.

[suisse]

Furlong set to miss Wales clash as Porter and Ryan ready to start

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 26389.html

Tadhg Furlong appears to have lost his race to be fit for Ireland's pivotal clash with Wales on Saturday with Andrew Porter set to get his first Six Nations start in the pivotal fixture.

James Ryan is set to start having recovered from his hip injury and a decision on Iain Henderson's involvement will be taken tonight after his training was also limited by a hamstring issue.

[offshorerules]

Furlong set to miss Wales clash as Porter and Ryan ready to start

https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ ... 26389.html

Tadhg Furlong appears to have lost his race to be fit for Ireland's pivotal clash with Wales on Saturday with Andrew Porter set to get his first Six Nations start in the pivotal fixture.

James Ryan is set to start having recovered from his hip injury and a decision on Iain Henderson's involvement will be taken tonight after his training was also limited by a hamstring issue.

I think the fascinating thing about this is Porter's elevation at so young an age and so early in his career. Something else really.

[arsebiscuits1]

I think it's fascinating that ROC is getting the inside scoop after all the recent tension.

I can't imagine the IRFU left this under his door ha

[Dave Cahill]

What inside scoop? Its literally stuff that was said in public to the media by the coaching staff!

[arsebiscuits1]

What inside scoop? Its literally stuff that was said in public to the media by the coaching staff!

About Furlong not playing? No one else ran with it

[simonokeeffe]

What inside scoop? Its literally stuff that was said in public to the media by the coaching staff!

About Furlong not playing? No one else ran with it

Farrell said at the injury update press conference on Tuesday who had and hadnt trained fully. Sure even I ran with it

[Oldschool]

The fake match is in full swing.
Wales like being favourites.
Ireland like being underdogs.
Currently Wales are the underdogs.
Currently Ireland are the favourites.
Both coaches are trying to jockey the favourites tag in their favour.
They face a dichotomy however.
Shift the balance too much and the result could be counterproductive.
So neither want the favourites tag but both want to appear to be confident.
Gatland's naming his team early (not for the first time) is a statement of confidence. "I don't fear this Ireland team"
Joe on the other is trying to manage public expectation while not undermining his teams confidence. "I respect this Wales team"
They are both being very careful to give away no hostages to fortune.
Cam Gattie generate enough bitterness from the "try" not given against England
Can Joe prevent Wales' angst from moving Ireland out of their comfort zone?

[MylesNaGapoleen]

I would be really surprised if both Dan Biggar and Liam Williams are fully fit to start this game. It complicates the situation for Ireland a little. I would imagine they expected both to be named but have contingency plans in place in case one or both dropped out. The thing is, Wales know this is their season. Win this, and they'll probably feel the Championship is there even though they are relying on others (Scotland or Ireland to beat England). Gatland probably feels a risk or two is needed and had Wales been hosting Scotland, Italy or France, for example, maybe he wouldn't have named this team.

I can't see those bookie odds at all. For me, heart says Ireland, head says Wales if the two lads are fully fit. I just don't know where our tries are going to come from. I know some posters like to trot our stats in November internationals, but they mean little here. We don't score often enough against France, England and Wales. If Wales score 2 tries in this game, with 1/2P kicking, they'll win this game. I really can't see Ireland scoring more than 20 points. They were a converted try from beating England.

Even if Furlong doesn't make it, I still think we have a better 1-10 than Wales. Not by much, but our team is a little stronger. 11-15 is all Wales for me. I know Earls is in great form, Stockdale has unbelievable potential and Murray Kinsella wrote a piece about Rob Kearney, but overall, that's where we're weakest. We'll probably spend 80 mins trying to pound Aki over the gainline without freeing the wingers much.

Fair points. Williams looked sharp against sale last friday for saracens. Like you my head says wales but heart says ireland win with BP. My arse says draw, though. Especially if its raining.

[Oldschool]

I would be really surprised if both Dan Biggar and Liam Williams are fully fit to start this game. It complicates the situation for Ireland a little. I would imagine they expected both to be named but have contingency plans in place in case one or both dropped out. The thing is, Wales know this is their season. Win this, and they'll probably feel the Championship is there even though they are relying on others (Scotland or Ireland to beat England). Gatland probably feels a risk or two is needed and had Wales been hosting Scotland, Italy or France, for example, maybe he wouldn't have named this team.

I can't see those bookie odds at all. For me, heart says Ireland, head says Wales if the two lads are fully fit. I just don't know where our tries are going to come from. I know some posters like to trot our stats in November internationals, but they mean little here. We don't score often enough against France, England and Wales. If Wales score 2 tries in this game, with 1/2P kicking, they'll win this game. I really can't see Ireland scoring more than 20 points. They were a converted try from beating England.

Even if Furlong doesn't make it, I still think we have a better 1-10 than Wales. Not by much, but our team is a little stronger. 11-15 is all Wales for me. I know Earls is in great form, Stockdale has unbelievable potential and Murray Kinsella wrote a piece about Rob Kearney, but overall, that's where we're weakest. We'll probably spend 80 mins trying to pound Aki over the gainline without freeing the wingers much.

Fair points. Williams looked sharp against sale last friday for saracens. Like you my head says wales but heart says ireland win with BP. My arse says draw, though. Especially if its raining.

My head says we're good enough to beat Wales however there are a few buts.

[Twist]

We looked so vulnerable out wide in both games so far which was a continuation of the Argentina game, and so uncreative against France (though I think we were a lot better than them). Take away Henshaw and Furlong. Add Williams, Halfpenny and Biggar - I see no reason for confidence


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[wixfjord]

I’m absolutely fascinated to see whether our attacking structure from Italy stays or whether we revert to a more base level game as seen against France in the rain. Hopefully the former, as the latter will be playing into Wales’ and Gatland’s hands. Against Italy, we used the second row and backrow to pass way more than in the first game. We’ll need that bit of extra to open up Wales. We should’ve learned from Cardiff last year in particular.