6N 2016: Ireland v Wales, 7 February

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IRELAND v WALES
7 February 2016
KO: 15:00 GMT
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Live on RTE, ITV, FR2, DMAX, BBC(H)

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

123 Played 123
52 Won 67
4 Drawn 4
67 Lost 52
1,365 Points 1,461

B. Recent Form

29 August 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
10 – 16 to Wales

8 August 2015
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
21 – 35 to Ireland

14 March 2015
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
23 – 16 to Wales

8 February 2014
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
26 – 3 to Ireland

2 February 2013
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
22 – 30 to Ireland

C. Teams

IRELAND

S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), N White; D Toner, M McCarthy; CJ Stander, T O’Donnell, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J Cronin, T Furlong, D Ryan, R Ruddock, K Marmion, I Madigan, D Kearney.

WALES

G Anscombe; G North, J Davies, J Roberts, T James; D Biggar, G Davies; R Evans, S Baldwin, S Lee, L Charteris, A-W Jones, S Warburton (capt), J Tipuric, T Faletau.

Replacements: K Owens, G Jenkins, T Francis, B Davies, D Lydiate, L Williams, R Priestland, A Cuthbert

I do not understand why the Welsh think the starting back row will produce any miracles .It is the same back row that played against Australia in the world cup and did nothing against dare i say 13 man Australian team.Strange.

......because we're not playing the world cup finalists Australia

irnbrew wrote:I do not understand why the Welsh think the starting back row will produce any miracles .It is the same back row that played against Australia in the world cup and did nothing against dare i say 13 man Australian team.Strange.

I haven't seen anyone saying they'll produce miracles. A lot of posters have called for Warbs and Tips to start together in the past, and are now happy that their wish has come true. But miracles???

irnbrew wrote:I do not understand why the Welsh think the starting back row will produce any miracles .It is the same back row that played against Australia in the world cup and did nothing against dare i say 13 man Australian team.Strange.

Why are you trolling several threads with this ?

geoff999rugby wrote:

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Best 10's in NH, the best 2 12's in NH, best 8's in NH, and IMO the top consistenly strongest teams in the NH going head to head, both with something to prove.

I think you're on the wrong thread   .

hahaha really? Sexton, Biggar, Henshaw, Roberts, Falatau, Heaslip, whos better up here?

I'll give you Biggar.
As to the 3 Irishmen there are many Ireland who do not think they are the best in their respective positions let alone the best in Europe - you could argue Jackson, McCloskey, Stander
Falatau ahead of Vunipola, Parisse, Picamoles - really?
Roberts ahead of Fofana, Danty (you wait till you see him play) - very questionable.


The players are good but your claim is a bit of a stretch to say the least

Couldn't disagree more, Falatau has proved over and over that he posesses far more than just 50 mins of carrying of Vunipola, the wild offloads and 3 carries per game of Picamoles (who btw is ineffective at the breakdown imo), and the ageing Parisse (2/3 seasosns ago PArisse was hands down the best, today he isnt the same player).

Fofana has offered nothing on the big stage for near 3 seasons, show me a good performance by him in a France shirt, Danty has good club form but how many top class performances in a French shirt?

Henshaw is the best 12 in NH IMO, Roberts a very close second. Sexton hasnt become a bad player because of a transition period returning to Ireland, in green he's top class!

I think my claim is pretty resonable.

Didn't Vunipola play the full 80 minutes of each 6 nations game last season? His tackle count was third highest overall as well (above Faletau). Also, describing Picamoles as ineffective at the breakdown is simply incorrect. He makes as many turnovers as many international openside flankers. Plus the majority of his offloads and carries are extremely effective.

As for Robbie Henshaw, he isn't even the best 12 in Ireland let alone Europe. Nor is it his best position. He has of course been very good but he is a stopgap player at 12. He will be shifted further out wide very soon - if not this tournament.

I'm not so sure you have seen an awful lot of the players you are describing...

BTW Faletau is a great number 8 but it is extremely debatable that he is the best in the NH.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I'm not so sure you have seen an awful lot of the players you are describing...

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Best 10's in NH, the best 2 12's in NH, best 8's in NH, and IMO the top consistenly strongest teams in the NH going head to head, both with something to prove.

I think you're on the wrong thread   .

hahaha really? Sexton, Biggar, Henshaw, Roberts, Falatau, Heaslip, whos better up here?

Farrell, Ford, Eastman, Slade , Morgan and Vainapolo for a start.

Stop it Rodders - an awareness of the wider European game isn't allowed.

The Henshaw one I would say is particularly strange. I would certainly pick Scott, Taylor and Dunbar over Henshaw, should Henshaw be available to play for Scotland. That is just my opinion of course.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

I'm not so sure you have seen an awful lot of the players you are describing...

Lets not be too condescending though. The guy is entitled to his opinion.

I think Henshaw is underrated by his own Irish supporters, even if he's playing out of position. Probably our most consistently good player over the last 18 months and certainly most consistent back.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The Henshaw one I would say is particularly strange. I would certainly pick Scott, Taylor and Dunbar over Henshaw, should Henshaw be available to play for Scotland. That is just my opinion of course.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

I'm not so sure you have seen an awful lot of the players you are describing...

Lets not be too condescending though. The guy is entitled to his opinion.

Of course, as I am entitled to mine and to counter others. It would be very boring here if everyone agreed with each other. I don't see it as being condescending (though it was a little cheeky admittedly).

I like the team selection it's a calculated gamble. If Wales lose then people won't mind too much, Ireland are a good side and hard to beat in Dublin. Then again potentially Wales can score a lot of points and possibly play the type of rugby that Argentina did against Ireland, and pull off a big win.
Either way Gatland won't lose because people are asking him to try and push for a more expansive game.

theslosty wrote:I think Henshaw is underrated by his own Irish supporters, even if he's playing out of position. Probably our most consistently good player over the last 18 months and certainly most consistent back.

Henshaw is an excellent player and he has been very good at 12 but he offers a whole lot more in the wider channels. In terms of what he is being asked to do at 12 I think that McCloskey is much better.

So what is the Irish starting XV going to be? This feels like the most open selection in years for an Irish side.

Reading through this thread, Ireland might as well not bother showing up at all. Comfortable victory for Wales the order of the day.

For some reason I feel that Wales have the mental edge over us. In all honesty I have grown to fear them the most out of all other teams in the Six Nations.

The tone may be defeatist, but it would really be a fantastic result for Ireland if we won. I have high hopes for this team in the next few years and really believe in them but you'd expect a slight dip in form with the disruption in the tight five.

So if we win, fantastic result. Would be ecstatic. Whatever criticisms the Irish selection gets (and it will be criticised regardless of how it goes) would ring hollow if Schmidt pulls this one out of the hat.

It remains a 50/50 game but we have an advantage in the boiler house and the back row in my opinion and this has not always been the case. There is a mental side to these 2 teams and Wales have won the last 2 that really mattered IMO. I'm conveniently overlooking that 1 st warm up game where Gatland fielded a strange 2nd and 3Rd choice team, maybe that was part of his plan. Deep down do Ireland believe they can win this? On the surface there's no doubt but deep down I'm not sure. 04.02.2016

I think Ireland will edge it but we go there in confidence because we know the team selected can get a result (pretty much like when you guys come to Cardiff!). However I don't buy into this Irish pessimism, a team who has won back to back titles and qualified from their group easily in the World Cup (and succumbed to a loss in the quarters due to bad luck....injuries, suspension and an obvious red card not given) are not the underdogs like joe Schmidt and you guys are trying to make out.

I feel Ireland have the weapons to make a statement, but feel there playing with the break on half the time.
And it really gets to me that we play to negate the opposition rather than to beat them. Maybe I'm wrong who knows

Rory_Gallagher wrote:For some reason I feel that Wales have the mental edge over us. In all honesty I have grown to fear them the most out of all other teams in the Six Nations.

Haha we feel the same way about Ireland, basically we all know it's a 50/50 game home or away and were normally going at it hammer and tongs after the game. As long as both teams do the basics right thats normally what happens, but if either team doesn't do the basics the potential is there for the other team to be embarrassed. A couple of points in the game either way and a bounce of the ball, or referees decision is normally the difference.
I've always disliked Irish games, in the 90's we always seemed to bring out the worst in each other, but these days we tend to have good games.

RubyGuby wrote:It remains a 50/50 game but we have an advantage in the boiler house and the back row in my opinion and this has not always been the case. There is a mental side to these 2 teams and Wales have won the last 2 that really mattered IMO. I'm conveniently overlooking that 1 st warm up game where Gatland fielded a strange 2nd and 3Rd choice team, maybe that was part of his plan. Deep down do Ireland believe they can win this? On the surface there's no doubt but deep down I'm not sure. 04.02.2016

I completely agree with this statement. I'm not so sure either.

Ansombe is pretty untried as a FB at this level Rory and Tom James is an absolute liability so you have more than hope to hang on to. That aside we have some great combinations in AWJ and Charteris. Back Row and Roberts and JD. I guess we'll have to wait n see. Good luck enjoy the game

RubyGuby wrote:Ansombe is pretty untried as a FB at this level Rory and Tom James is an absolute liability so you have more than hope to hang on to. That aside we have some great combinations in AWJ and Charteris. Back Row and Roberts and JD. I guess we'll have to wait n see. Good luck enjoy the game

Gatland really wanted Anscombe, and I think we have to trust his judgement. After all he's taken a lot of these Welsh lads from relative obscurity as young players who have barely played regional rugby, to house hold names in Wales.
I don't think any forum poster can really know more than Gatland on picking the Welsh team, after all he's done for us, we really should just back his judgement.

I always back his judgement Shifty but am happy to criticise him at the same time preferably before a ball has been kicked. Anscombe kicked the ball away on the SA 22 when keeping the ball in hand would have been the better option. It's fine lines at the top level. Tom James is fine going forward but for me remains a liability in defence and with his handling. It's nit picking but the forums for giving our opinions and Inhave Patchell in there instead of Priestland

Really disappointed that Jackson has been released back to Ulster.
He wasn't going to start ahead of Sexton but should have been on the bench.
Some say is because Madigan knows Joe's systems better, but Joe has had two 6 nations and a world cup everyone outside Leinster should be familiar with these by now.

Others say its his versatility, but if we think on this, 15 is covered by Payne and Henshaw, so he's there to cover primarily 10 and secondary 12. Now at 10 Jackson has been far better, and at 12 Sexton/Jackson isn't that much behind Sexton/Madigan.

So he's picked someone who's worse at his primary job but slightly better at his secondary job, to me this is putting to many eggs in the Sexton basket.

Kingshu wrote:Others say its his versatility, but if we think on this, 15 is covered by Payne and Henshaw, so he's there to cover primarily 10 and secondary 12. Now at 10 Jackson has been far better, and at 12 Sexton/Jackson   isn't that much behind Sexton/Madigan.

To be honest, I mainly agree with the point you're making. But I keep seeing it said that Payne and Henshaw cover 15- not if they both start at centre they don't. They don't want to have to change the whole back line around, they just want the guy coming on to slot in as seamlessly as possible.

I don't agree with the logic of not selecting him, but I understand there is logic to it.

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Best 10's in NH, the best 2 12's in NH, best 8's in NH, and IMO the top consistenly strongest teams in the NH going head to head, both with something to prove.

I think you're on the wrong thread   .

hahaha really? Sexton, Biggar, Henshaw, Roberts, Falatau, Heaslip, whos better up here?

Farrell, Ford, Eastman, Slade , Morgan and Vainapolo for a start.

So let me get this straight, you honestly beleive Morgan and Vunipola are better 8's than Toby Falatua? I'd personally be looking at Thomas the tank over these 2 for England, neither are particularly rounded or decent ball players, theyre 2 very similar powerfull ball carriers who a) become ineffective at ruck time easily, and b) struggle to last beyond 50 minutes like props. Vunipola is a very good player, but he's been pitted against Falatau numerous times in numerous ways, Falatau is the best 8 in europe.

Slade isn't the best centre in England, and Farrell has been opted out of position before him, is he really the best 12 in the NH? Better than the doc? Come on...

On another thread everyone is discussing Russell having an edge over Ford, which I don't agree with but they are similar in stature, and a pretty step behind both Sexton and Biggar.

I'm not sure considering the sole English players as the 'wider view of european rugby' is very accurate, there aren't many world beaters in a white shirt currently, if a lions team were being chosen right now Launchbury, Farrell?, Hartley? and Brown would get a shout, but outside those 4 noone would challenge for a starting shirt, don't you agree?

btw I think you meant Vunipola, Eastmond?

My apologies to the thread, my comments were merely promoting the game ahead, as IMO these are the 2 teams to beat and favourites for the championship.

Does this definitely rule Jackson out of Sunday?

For all I know Sexton could turn up and have a storming game. Form-wise, though, I feel Schmidt has let Wales off with Jackson's omission.

RubyGuby wrote:I always back his judgement Shifty but am happy to criticise him at the same time preferably before a ball has been kicked. Anscombe kicked the ball away on the SA 22 when keeping the ball in hand would have been the better option. It's fine lines at the top level. Tom James is fine going forward but for me remains a liability in defence and with his handling. It's nit picking but the forums for giving our opinions and Inhave Patchell in there instead of Priestland

I would agree with all these statements if it weren't for the alternative.

James is on fire with Cardiff, and Cuthbert is still playing his unique brand of U12's rugby.

Patchell looks great ball in hand but his defence is so weak, RP played well for bath when starting, but had a horror show when he came on last week. My gut wants Patchell there, but realistically I think he's all style and not enough substance.

Anscombe has been shoehorned in from the off, but with injuries who else is there? Morgan? Patchell? Fish?

Notch wrote:

Kingshu wrote:Others say its his versatility, but if we think on this, 15 is covered by Payne and Henshaw, so he's there to cover primarily 10 and secondary 12. Now at 10 Jackson has been far better, and at 12 Sexton/Jackson   isn't that much behind Sexton/Madigan.

To be honest, I mainly agree with the point you're making. But I keep seeing it said that Payne and Henshaw cover 15- not if they both start at centre they don't. They don't want to have to change the whole back line around, they just want the guy coming on to slot in as seamlessly as possible.

I don't agree with the logic of not selecting him, but I understand there is logic to it.

I understand this, but its better to risk having to break these up if Sexton is off form/gets injured, than have Madigan come on instead of Jackson.


Anyway part of me is hoping Joe is playing with Gatland, Jackson will only come on for 10 mins and will be the bench option on Sunday, taking the Welsh preparations by surprise.

Fanster wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:I always back his judgement Shifty but am happy to criticise him at the same time preferably before a ball has been kicked. Anscombe kicked the ball away on the SA 22 when keeping the ball in hand would have been the better option. It's fine lines at the top level. Tom James is fine going forward but for me remains a liability in defence and with his handling. It's nit picking but the forums for giving our opinions and Inhave Patchell in there instead of Priestland

I would agree with all these statements if it weren't for the alternative.

James is on fire with Cardiff, and Cuthbert is still playing his unique brand of U12's rugby.

Patchell looks great ball in hand but his defence is so weak, RP played well for bath when starting, but had a horror show when he came on last week. My gut wants Patchell there, but realistically I think he's all style and not enough substance.

Anscombe has been shoehorned in from the off, but with injuries who else is there? Morgan? Patchell? Fish?

Nice comments Fanster and I know we have injuries - I like a specialist FB and on this occasion I may well have given Dan Evans a shout instead of Anscombe. That might be too radical for Gats though but he's a quality FB IMO

RubyGuby wrote:

Fanster wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:I always back his judgement Shifty but am happy to criticise him at the same time preferably before a ball has been kicked. Anscombe kicked the ball away on the SA 22 when keeping the ball in hand would have been the better option. It's fine lines at the top level. Tom James is fine going forward but for me remains a liability in defence and with his handling. It's nit picking but the forums for giving our opinions and Inhave Patchell in there instead of Priestland

I would agree with all these statements if it weren't for the alternative.

James is on fire with Cardiff, and Cuthbert is still playing his unique brand of U12's rugby.

Patchell looks great ball in hand but his defence is so weak, RP played well for bath when starting, but had a horror show when he came on last week. My gut wants Patchell there, but realistically I think he's all style and not enough substance.

Anscombe has been shoehorned in from the off, but with injuries who else is there? Morgan? Patchell? Fish?

Nice comments Fanster and I know we have injuries - I like a specialist FB and on this occasion I may well have given Dan Evans a shout instead of Anscombe. That might be too radical for Gats though but he's a quality FB IMO

I must admit I havn't seen too much of Evans this year, but what I have seen hasn't been great. I don't see him being able to step up, and would class him as similar to Dan Fish, both have strengths but both have too many weaknesses too

I think we should probably count ourselves lucky to have 1/2p and Williams, and cover options are still better than most, take Hogg for example, if he goes down the cover is not very good at all.

Yeah we have pretty good cover its a shame 3 FBs are injured in 1/2p Liam and Amos that's just unlucky. I'll stick with my Dan Evans suggestion but Gats like to pick from within the squad which also makes sense. Is Cory Allen fit? Would have preferred him on the bench to Cuthbert

I'd have prefered my gran than Cuthbert, but as you said, Gatland is a loyal guy, and beleives in his veiw of players, which you have to respect!

Forgot about Amos too hahaha we are blessed with quality back atm, 3 top centres when anyone else would kill for 1 or 2 of them.

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Best 10's in NH, the best 2 12's in NH, best 8's in NH, and IMO the top consistenly strongest teams in the NH going head to head, both with something to prove.

I think you're on the wrong thread   .

hahaha really? Sexton, Biggar, Henshaw, Roberts, Falatau, Heaslip, whos better up here?

Farrell, Ford, Eastman, Slade , Morgan and Vainapolo for a start.

So let me get this straight, you honestly beleive Morgan and Vunipola are better 8's than Toby Falatua? I'd personally be looking at Thomas the tank over these 2 for England, neither are particularly rounded or decent ball players, theyre 2 very similar powerfull ball carriers who a) become ineffective at ruck time easily, and b) struggle to last beyond 50 minutes like props. Vunipola is a very good player, but he's been pitted against Falatau numerous times in numerous ways, Falatau is the best 8 in europe.

Slade isn't the best centre in England, and Farrell has been opted out of position before him, is he really the best 12 in the NH? Better than the doc? Come on...

On another thread everyone is discussing Russell having an edge over Ford, which I don't agree with but they are similar in stature, and a pretty step behind both Sexton and Biggar.

I'm not sure considering the sole English players as the 'wider view of european rugby' is very accurate, there aren't many world beaters in a white shirt currently, if a lions team were being chosen right now Launchbury, Farrell?, Hartley? and Brown would get a shout, but outside those 4 noone would challenge for a starting shirt, don't you agree?

btw I think you meant Vunipola, Eastmond?

My apologies to the thread, my comments were merely promoting the game ahead, as IMO these are the 2 teams to beat and favourites for the championship.

Lol, your perspective on Billy Vunipola is about 3 years out of date

Slade is injured or he would have started at 12, he's not better than Doc yet, but I'm willing to bet he will be in a year or so

Keep up the comprehensive knowledge of English players though

Kingshu wrote:

Notch wrote:

Kingshu wrote:Others say its his versatility, but if we think on this, 15 is covered by Payne and Henshaw, so he's there to cover primarily 10 and secondary 12. Now at 10 Jackson has been far better, and at 12 Sexton/Jackson   isn't that much behind Sexton/Madigan.

To be honest, I mainly agree with the point you're making. But I keep seeing it said that Payne and Henshaw cover 15- not if they both start at centre they don't. They don't want to have to change the whole back line around, they just want the guy coming on to slot in as seamlessly as possible.

I don't agree with the logic of not selecting him, but I understand there is logic to it.

I understand this, but its better to risk having to break these up if Sexton is off form/gets injured, than have Madigan come on instead of Jackson.


Anyway part of me is hoping Joe is playing with Gatland, Jackson will only come on for 10 mins and will be the bench option on Sunday, taking the Welsh preparations by surprise.

I agree with that first part completely, can't see the second part though. You wouldn't ask a player to get his head into Ireland calls, then switch back to provincial, then immediately back to Ireland. Don't think this means that Jackson is behind Madigan if Sexton pulls out in the week though- wouldn't be surprised to see Jackson get a game later in the tournament depending on how the first few games go. Fully expect Jackson to start at least one test before the season is over, if not this tournament then on the tour.

Why are Ireland delaying naming their side? Is this a sign of uncertainty or are there injury concerns. It's very unlike Schmidt

The IRFU have named the team two days from match day for literally as long as I remember. It just seems longer because this is a Sunday game, not a Saturday game. Hence it comes on Friday.

Having said that, there are some injury concerns over Kearney and O'Brien. This is probably why they have always named the team later in the first place. Rarely is everyone 100% fit coming into a match weekend.

Notch wrote:The IRFU have named the team two days from match day for literally as long as I remember. It just seems longer because this is a Sunday game, not a Saturday game. Hence it comes on Friday.

Having said that, there are some injury concerns over Kearney and O'Brien. This is probably why they have always named the team later in the first place. Rarely is everyone 100% fit coming into a match weekend.

They've done it since Schmidt became coach. I remember the time he went against his kiwi agreement with Gats prior to the world cup and unleashed a strong team on our third string - he was able to do it because of the date of the naming of the team.... Talk about double crossing your mate. Of course when both teams evened up we had to go and get revenge by winning in Dublin .

RubyGuby wrote:Why are Ireland delaying naming their side? Is this a sign of uncertainty or are there injury concerns. It's very unlike Schmidt

They said it's because they are awaiting news on SOB

BamBam wrote:

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

rodders wrote:

Fanster wrote:

Best 10's in NH, the best 2 12's in NH, best 8's in NH, and IMO the top consistenly strongest teams in the NH going head to head, both with something to prove.

I think you're on the wrong thread   .

hahaha really? Sexton, Biggar, Henshaw, Roberts, Falatau, Heaslip, whos better up here?

Farrell, Ford, Eastman, Slade , Morgan and Vainapolo for a start.

So let me get this straight, you honestly beleive Morgan and Vunipola are better 8's than Toby Falatua? I'd personally be looking at Thomas the tank over these 2 for England, neither are particularly rounded or decent ball players, theyre 2 very similar powerfull ball carriers who a) become ineffective at ruck time easily, and b) struggle to last beyond 50 minutes like props. Vunipola is a very good player, but he's been pitted against Falatau numerous times in numerous ways, Falatau is the best 8 in europe.

Slade isn't the best centre in England, and Farrell has been opted out of position before him, is he really the best 12 in the NH? Better than the doc? Come on...

On another thread everyone is discussing Russell having an edge over Ford, which I don't agree with but they are similar in stature, and a pretty step behind both Sexton and Biggar.

I'm not sure considering the sole English players as the 'wider view of european rugby' is very accurate, there aren't many world beaters in a white shirt currently, if a lions team were being chosen right now Launchbury, Farrell?, Hartley? and Brown would get a shout, but outside those 4 noone would challenge for a starting shirt, don't you agree?

btw I think you meant Vunipola, Eastmond?

My apologies to the thread, my comments were merely promoting the game ahead, as IMO these are the 2 teams to beat and favourites for the championship.

Lol, your perspective on Billy Vunipola is about 3 years out of date

Slade is injured or he would have started at 12, he's not better than Doc yet, but I'm willing to bet he will be in a year or so

Keep up the comprehensive knowledge of English players though

So once again, just so I understand fully, my comment on Roberts and Henshaw being the best 12s around are totally incorrect, because Slade will be better in a year or so? You still want to argue that Ford is better than Biggar and Sexton? Eastmond is a better 12 than Roberts and Henshaw?

The issue is your trying to be offended, without even reading what is being written. A simple compliment of Welsh and Irish 8's 10's and 12's has driven people mad into claiming every English equivilant is better, i'm not sure why the need to do this is here, but it's probably best left on a 'why English players are beter than yours' thread elsewhere.

Once again sorry to the guys commenting on the upcoming game, I couldnt resist replying.

I do not know how true this is, yes I know it is WOL, but they are saying SOB will not be playing on Sunday due to injury.

Ireland set to name South African-born back row star to face Wales but Lion Sean O'Brien to miss out.

Joe Schmidt expected to name CJ Stander later on Friday with the Munster man having qualified on residency.

South African-born CJ Stander is set to make his Ireland debut against Wales this Sunday, while fellow back rower Sean O’Brien looks likely to miss out through injury.
Munster’s Stander has been one of the outstanding performers in the Pro12 over the past couple of seasons with his mighty ball-carrying and having qualified on the three-year residency rule he is now odds on to start at blindside.
With Lions star O’Brien having been struggling with a tight hamstring this week, openside Tommy O’Donnell is standing by to step in on the other flank in a new-look back row.
Rob Kearney is also carrying a muscle problem, so Munster’s Simon Zebo is expected to be announced at full-back this afternoon, with Keith Earls getting the nod on the left wing.
Coach Joe Schmidt is set to revert to his regular centre partnership of Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne, with both men having recently returned from injury.
Up front, Nathan White starts at tight-head prop with Mike Ross and Marty Moore crocked, while
Mike McCarthy takes on the onerous role of filling the boots of the now retired Paul O’Connell in the second row.
O’Brien and Kearney both sat out training on Wednesday and are unlikely to be risked for this weekend’s championship clash at the Aviva Stadium, with just a six-day turnaround before Ireland play France in Paris.
Ireland (Probable): S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best (capt), N White; D Toner, M McCarthy; CJ Stander, J Heaslip, T O’Donnell.
Replacements: S Cronin, J Cronin, T Furlong, D Ryan, R Ruddock, E Reddan, I Madigan, D Kearney.

I would not be surprised to see Dave Kearney / Trimble on the wings if I am honest.

If this is true, and Ireland are going to have Zebo at fullback, and they will be without Sean O'Brien, then that must mean advantage Wales, doesn't it ? Although Ireland can never be written off, they have a quality squad, losing Kearney and SOB will be a massive blow for them, or any other side that would lose players of that quality.

Loosing SOB will be a blow but loosing Rob Kearney not such a blow given his recent form.

Still think, and hope, that Payne plays at 15. Not because I think Zebo is bad there but because I believe that Payne would bring an immense balance there.

Due to Jackson being released, it will be a Henshaw/Payne centre pairing now which I feel is a negative. Its very much advantage Wales in my opinion.

Schmidt's selection has made Wales favourites - depressing

I still don't know where to put my money on . wales if they continue their world cup form