Paul O’Connell and Gordon D’Arcy return for Ireland this weekend – what do you make of their team? Will they beat Wales?
Ireland team to play Wales: R Kearney (Leinster); A Trimble (Ulster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), G D’Arcy (Leinster), D Kearney (Leinster); J Sexton (Racing Metro 92), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); P O’Connell Munster, capt), D Toner (Leinster); P O’Mahony (Munster), C Henry (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster), M Moore (Leinster), D Tuohy (Ulster), T O’Donnell (Munster), I Boss (Leinster), P Jackson (Ulster), F McFadden (Leinster).
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
It is often gas at how some of my fellow irish fans will always grasp at straws rather than see reality. This is i believe actually one of the weakest irish sides for quiet a while in lots of areas. We might still get away with it as wales can often wobble in some of their away games every season but if wales come to dublin with intent on playing and backing themselves to peform . (which ireland can never do btw) then it could be a strong welsh victory and land us in real trouble. Where is this great new era that J. S. was about to hearld because if anything things are getting worse and more inward , Most real irish rugby folk that actually follow grasroots rugby are dismayed that j s has continued with the same old rubbish as his predecessor ended with and is simply refusing to back our young players. I will pose one ? , .Would henshaw, hanrahan, jordi murphy , madigan , james harte , or robin copeland all get left out of a welsh 6 n squad if thes lads were all born just west of the severn . Btw watch out for the ireland u 20 s on friday night in their match also against wales and they are of course being coached by mike ruddock , a welsh man whom many rugby people on this side of the irish sea believe should be in the irish coach s box on saturday instead , a proven guy, . What a crazy country we are even in sport.
Mike Ruddock instead of Joe Schmidt??
You are on your own there!
So you reckon that Robbie Henshaw would be in the Wales team ahead of Leigh Halfpenny?
Bunch of ARSE
DDD
I think the line-out and tactical kicking are going to be absolutely crucial in this game. It’s nip and tuck in the pack, I think, but the biggest factor is whether hibbard and Best can hit their jumpers. Gotta say I give Wales a bit of an edge here, although I’m not totally convinced by Hibberd.
Tactical kicking wise, I feel Sexton has a disctinct advantage on Priestland.
I’m going to be very intrigued by this game. I feel this is a game where one side wins or loses with a kick in the dying minutes. I’m going for Ireland… the Wales halfbacks just aren’t their strongest suit.
(My lack of belief in the Wales 9/10 axis is the reason I feel Wales have fallen just short so often against the big SH teams, while Sexton/Murray may be the best combination in the 6nations)
I think ye all might be eating your words this Saturday night. Oh of little faith you Irish “fans”