WELSH TEAM ANNOUNCED - Ireland vs Wales

First topic message reminder :

ROBERTS AND PRIESTLAND WIN WALES RACE

R hys Priestland and Jamie Roberts will both start for Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday (kick-off 3.00pm)

Scarlets fly half Priestland and Blues centre Roberts have recovered from knee injuries in time to take their places in a starting line-up which shows six changes to that which faced Australia at the Millennium Stadium in December and just five from that which defeated Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals six weeks earlier.

Osprey Huw Bennett is set to win his 50 th Wales cap, making him only the second hooker to do so (Garin Jenkins has 58 caps), in a squad which features no debutants in its ranks but has three players who will make their second appearance for their country.

Saracens loosehead prop Rhys Gill comes into the side for the injured Gethin Jenkins (knee), after winning his other cap two years ago - appearing from the bench against Ireland at Croke Park in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations.

Blues wing Alex Cuthbert, who made his debut against Australia before Christmas, makes his first start profiting from the retirement of Shane Williams, with Scarlets wing George North (who played in all 7 RWC matches last year) switching flanks to take the No11 jersey synonymous with Wales’ top try scorer.

The third player with a single cap to his name is Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who starts on the bench after making his debut at the RWC in the Pool D clash with Namibia.

Elsewhere in the starting XV Scarlet Jonathan Davies (7 RWC 2011 appearances) is reunited with Roberts (6 RWC 2011 appearances) and Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips (6 RWC 2011 appearances) also returns.

Davies replaces his Regional colleague Scott Williams and Phillips replaces Blues half back Lloyd Williams, with both departing players providing cover from the bench.

Ospreys and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones returns to the front row alongside Gill and half centurion Bennett.

The final change from the Australia match sees another Osprey Ryan Jones come into the back row for injured Dragon Dan Lydiate (ankle).

The second row duo of Ian Evans (Ospreys) and Bradley Davies (Blues) is retained, with this pairing giving the side a different look as neither figured in the RWC showdown with Ireland.

Blues full back Leigh Halfpenny, Roberts, North, Priestland, Bennett, captain Sam Warburton (Blues) and Dragons No8 Toby Faletau (the other player alongside North and Davies to play in all 7 RWC 2011 matches) are all retained from last time out in Cardiff and all figured in that historic match at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

“We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas, we have been working hard and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“We are two sides who know each other well, Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand, they will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined mood.”

On the bench James Hook (Perpignan) joins the Williamses in providing cover for the backs and could win his 60 th cap. Osprey Paul James joins Owens to provide front row cover and Sale Sharks No8 Andy Powell and Osprey Justin Tipuric complete the list of replacements. Dan Lydiate (ankle), Matthew Rees (calf) and Gethin Jenkins (knee) were unavailable for selection due to injury.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Rhys Gill, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams

WALES

15 Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5’10” / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 27 caps (W 12, L 15; 75 pts – 9T, 10PG)

14 Alex CUTHBERT (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,089)
DoB: 05.04.90. 6’6” / 1.98m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

13 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 21 caps (W 11, L 10; 25 pts – 5T)

12 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 39 caps (W 18, L 21; 20 pts – 4T)

11 George NORTH (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6’4” / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 16 caps (W 6, L 9, D 1; 45 pts – 9T)

10 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 10 caps (W 6, L 4; 50 pts – 1T, 12C, 7PG)

9 Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE – Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 60 caps (W 28, L 29, D 2; 40 pts – 8T)

1 Rhys GILL (SARACENS – Cap No 1,073)
DoB: 30.10.86. 5’11” / 1.80m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 1 cap (L 1)

2 Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 49 caps (W 23, L 25, D 1)

3 Adam JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6’0” / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs
International record: 75 caps (W 35, L 37, D 3; 10 pts – 2T)

4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 32 caps (W 14, L 17, D 1)

5 Ian EVANS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,045)
DoB: 04.10.84. 6’8” / 2.04m. 18st 3lbs / 116kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 6, L 10, D 1; 5 pts – 1T)

6 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 58 caps (W 28, L 28, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 24 caps (W 12, L 12; 10 pts - 2T)

8 Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6’2”. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 11 caps (W 5, L 6; 10 pts – 2T)

REPLACEMENTS:

16 Ken OWENS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,088)
DoB: 03.01.87. 6’1” / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)

17 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 31 caps (W 12, L 18, D 1)

18 Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS – Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6’4” / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 22 caps (W 12, L 10; 5 pts – 1T)

19 Justin TIPURIC (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,086)
DoB: 06.08.89. 1.88m / 6’2” 15st 10lbs / 100kgs
International record: 2 caps (W 1, L 1)

20 Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,087)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6’0” / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2; 10 pts – 2T)

21 James HOOK (PERPIGNAN – Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 59 caps (W 25, L 32, D 2; 326 pts – 12T, 40C, 58PG, 4DG)

22 Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6’0” / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 4; 20 pts – 4T)

I think Kiss will have a major bearing on things from our side. Please let him unleash the backline. Then, we wont have to worry as much about the Welsh backline - as strong as it is. Must go at them and stop pussey-footin around.

Parity in the scrum and dominance at the Lineout. Sexton to run the show.

I Believe.

No Rory I agree, the first half Ireland were on the front foot, had they taken a few shots at goal they turned down, the scoreline would have been different, but not the result. To say the backrow was outplayed in all areas bar defence, is something ill never agree with, the welsh backrow played very intellgently in that game and picked their battles, and the battles they got involved in, they invariably won. Not outplayed, just less headless chicken, the important/match-turning battles at the breakdown/in carrying and the tackle area were won by the lads in red jerseys....

Using a childrens story as a base....

Irelands backrow were all huff and puff but they couldnt blow the house down, by the time they'd realised that, the welsh backrow had picked the lock round the back and each had their way with the fair maiden locked inside before calming leaving with all the valuables.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:Ireland got nothing to offer in attack.

I presume that's a wind-up.

Unfortunately, it is true, I just hope Kidney has sorted it out this time. I don't agree with the faster/bigger part. I also think Bowe/Trimble are just as big and physical as North. Especially Trimble.

Comfort wrote:No Rory I agree, the first half Ireland were on the front foot, had they taken a few shots at goal they turned down, the scoreline would have been different, but not the result. To say the backrow was outplayed in all areas bar defence, is something ill never agree with, the welsh backrow played very intellgently in that game and picked their battles, and the battles they got involved in, they invariably won. Not outplayed, just less headless chicken, the important/match-turning battles at the breakdown/in carrying and the tackle area were won by the lads in red jerseys....

Using a childrens story as a base....

Irelands backrow were all huff and puff but they couldnt blow the house down, by the time they'd realised that, the welsh backrow had picked the lock round the back and each had their way with the fair maiden locked inside before calming leaving with all the valuables.

Nice way of putting it

Lets just hope for Ireland's sake Kidney realises this too and has changed his tactics. If he hasn't I will be shocked, and be calling for his head!

Absolutely, I think Kidney will have taken a lot from the game tactically, Gatland had worked him out and he didnt give the players a plan B.

I think thats something he'll look at this 6nations and being able to motivate the irish players. No doubting Ireland have the players to consistently be at the top of the tree in the NH along with France (imo), they just seem to lack consistency in their overall performance at international level, i put that down to poor man-management and motivational skills from Kidney. When they fire they're near unstoppable, its getting them firing consistently that Kidney has to achieve now.

Now the side's been announced, I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that we'll put quite a score on Ireland. But every time I think that, I remember the pasting Ireland handed out to England in their last Six Nations home game.

In conclusion, I can't fecking wait for Sunday.

Comfort wrote:Absolutely, I think Kidney will have taken a lot from the game tactically, Gatland had worked him out and he didnt give the players a plan B.

I think thats something he'll look at this 6nations and being able to motivate the irish players. No doubting Ireland have the players to consistently be at the top of the tree in the NH along with France (imo), they just seem to lack consistency in their overall performance at international level, i put that down to poor man-management and motivational skills from Kidney. When they fire they're near unstoppable, its getting them firing consistently that Kidney has to achieve now.

+1.
Man talks a lot of sense.

Gill beasted the O's front row this season as is exactly the in yer face prop we need in Dublin

RubyGuby wrote:Gill beasted the O's front row this season as is exactly the in yer face prop we need in Dublin

Ah now Ruby. You and I, could beast the Os front row. In all fairness...

Fair point

Really sorry to hear about Keith earls. Poor guy. Hope the baby is ok.

Apologies if it's already mentioned, but congratulations to Huw Benny, he gets his 50th international cap as does Tommy Bowe. Well done lads

shoulder, Brad Davies is fairly experienced at international level, but his form has been patchy.

Gibson wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:Gill beasted the O's front row this season as is exactly the in yer face prop we need in Dublin

Ah now Ruby. You and I, could beast the Os front row. In all fairness...

Not really.

[quote="SecretFly"]

Morgannwg wrote: Wales have a bigger stronger faster guy in every position on the pitch.

Yeah! and to think in the past all we had was a weed like Shane Williams

Good selection for Wales when considering the number of Injuries. Most of the first selections are people who specialise in their position, which hasn't always been the case when we had a smaller pool to select from. Replacements show that there are a number of critical players on the field who have to stay on, such as Halpenny who is covering the wings and Ryan who is covering the second row. As always, these days, Adam has to stay on for the full 80 as PJ struggles to cover the tight head. So idealy would have preffered to see a TH prop on the bench and a backthree player rather than 2 backrow forwards and a spare centre.

I wouldn't worry about PJ going to TH too much, this is Ireland's scrum.
Hook is probably covering fullback. I hope for his sake he doesn't have to play there again.

Very sad new for the Earls family...!

Mcfadden is not a shabby replacement at all though, good player.

James will do a job at T/Head if called upon I am not worried about that but yeah we need Adam to stay fit.

bedfordwelsh wrote:James will do a job at T/Head if called upon I am not worried about that but yeah we need Adam to stay fit.

Is there a worry of Adam Jones?

Maes,

No don't worry mate, more a response to people saying james isn't a good enough T/Head.

James is on bench to cover both so if need be he will go a good enough job IKO.

Im still pretty confident after seeing the team. Ive always thought people were overplaying the loss of AWJ and Charts and Im quite hopeful Evans and Bradley are gonna step up. Gill was a bit of a suprise bvut he is on form and if he is a better option than Paul James then we should have a very mean front row. All in All the front five have a hard edge about them which was maybe missing in RWC and will be handy in Dublin. securing our own ball at the line even if its only front of the line ball is key.

The backs are also a bunch of monsters, I dont think we have ever played such a big strong threequarter line. Theres some good experience on the bench with continuity from the world cup. If Sam gets targetted and we need another forager then Tipuric is an ideal replacement to come on.

TO,

Yeah pretty happy with it, persoanl choice would have staretd Byrne and has Beck on the bench but other than that happy.

Really hope Evans can now have an injury free few seasons and fill his early potemtial and believe he can be the 'enforcer' in the 2nd row we have missed for sometime.

Martyn Williams take on the backrowers:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/brynpalmer/2012/02/ireland_v_wales_the_back-row_b.html

Fair enough assessment from a man who has played with or against them all.
I'm looking forward to the Lions fixtures with the majority of the above touring.

I'd forgotten that Charteris only played one half back in October. His defensive quality, lineout and workrate will undoubtedly be missed but we've handled life against the Irish without him before and managed to get along. Of course I additionally expect the combined absence along with AWJ to make life difficult in the second row.

Knowsit17
Our backline would have been playing in the pack a few years back so they should be able to help out

Wales have five first choice forwards out. Ireland should in all reality dominate up front and win this match by a fair margin. Wales do not have the strength in depth though if you take five forwards out of any side they would struggle.

Best of luck to both sides today, on yesterdays evidence the winner of this has a great chance of winning the tournament.

I am a bit concerned about the size and power of the welsh backs.

McFadden and D'arcy can be exposed in defence at times so I really hope Kidney has a gameplan in place. We'll have to show a level of intensity that was missing in the RWC QF and we cannot afford to be caught cold again or we could be blown away.

I'm still confident if we can play to our best form then we can win this one but this could go either way.

Come on Ireland!

My prediction for the tournament,

If Wales beat Ireland, they will win the tournament (probable GS)
If Ireland win then,
If Ireland beat France next week, they will win the tournament (probable GS)
If France beat Ireland next week (after Ireland beat Wales), they will win the tournament (unlikely GS)

Come on Ireland do the business on Wales, and lets see their annual Balloon of Hot air deflate, do it for yourselfs, and for the rest of the Rugby loving and B.S hating world.

Ireland to win by 10 clear points against the World Champs in waiting!!

english warrior wrote:Come on Ireland do the business on Wales, and lets see their annual Balloon of Hot air deflate, do it for yourselfs, and for the rest of the Rugby loving and B.S hating world.

Ireland to win by 10 clear points against the World Champs in waiting!!

Why all the hate aimed at Wales?

english warrior wrote:Come on Ireland do the business on Wales, and lets see their annual Balloon of Hot air deflate, do it for yourselfs, and for the rest of the Rugby loving and B.S hating world.

Ireland to win by 10 clear points against the World Champs in waiting!!

maestegmafia wrote:

english warrior wrote:Come on Ireland do the business on Wales, and lets see their annual Balloon of Hot air deflate, do it for yourselfs, and for the rest of the Rugby loving and B.S hating world.

Ireland to win by 10 clear points against the World Champs in waiting!!

Why all the hate aimed at Wales?

Not hate , mate. Bitter rivalry.

english warrior wrote:Come on Ireland do the business on Wales, and lets see their annual Balloon of Hot air deflate, do it for yourselfs, and for the rest of the Rugby loving and B.S hating world.

Ireland to win by 10 clear points against the World Champs in waiting!!

wow the english are getting desperate in their wumming. Maybe the poor show their fledglings put out yesterday has them worried

Looks like someone took a wrong turn on the way to the bickering thread

'Why all the hate aimed at Wales'

Why not!!!!!!!!! It must be because we're jealous!!

english warrior wrote:
'Why all the hate aimed at Wales'

Why not!!!!!!!!! It must be because we're jealous!!

You are two?

I think it is more pathetic than jealous. Maybe it would be wise to start thinking before you write.! Else everyone on here will think you are a complete moron and possibly a bit of a xenophobe...!

He's reeling you in fast

Maesteg- Thanks for the heads up !!
Wouldn't want to be held in contempt by the Welsh posters on here, so i'll keep it more cerebral from now on. Phew!! to think i'd upset maesteg and incurred his wrath!!


Oh well, back to the drawing board,