RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland - RedPassion.co.uk

rygbigog · 2nd October 2011, 09.14:59

Saturday 8th October 6am on ITV and S4C.

Firstly, we're in the 1/4s, an excellent performance in the toughest group to qualify from, put a few ghosts to rest from past RWCs. Smallest country to make the knockout stages and this also helps our seeding for 2015 when the RWC comes home to civilisation.

But, instead of Australia we're now playing the second smallest nation who we've already beaten this year. Ireland probably have the best side in their history, so a massive challenge.

Mellon has now had enough game time to be automatic loose head, I think Charteris will be too weak in contact for the big games but Ryan was impressive today. We lacked a kicking centre with Jamie doing what he's not used to and I've still got my doubts about Priestland bottling on the big occasion again So, my selection assuming everyone is fit:

1 G Jenkins
2 H Bennett
3 A Jones
4 B Davies
5 A W Jones
6 D Lydiate
7 S Warburton
8 T Faletau
9 M Phillips
10 S Jones
11 S Williams
12 J Roberts
13 J Hook
14 G North
15 L Byrne

16 L Burns, 17 P James, 18 R Jones, 19 A Powell, 20 Ll Williams, 21 R Priestland, 22 L Halfpenny.

LA REDS · 2nd October 2011, 09.18:34

Ireland looking very strong, it's gonna be real challenge . Think o'connell may have done his hamstring, which could be a bonus.

justcantgetenough · 2nd October 2011, 09.24:18

Massive second half from Ireland. This is going to be one hell of a quarter final!

My team would be:
1 Cian Healy
2 Rory Best (if he hasn't done his collarbone in)
3 Mike Ross
4 Donnacha O Callaghan
5 Paul O Connell (if he hasn't done his hamstring)
6 Stephen Ferris
7 Sean 'The beast' O Brien
8 Jamie Heaslip
9 Conor Murray
10 Ronan O Gara
11 Keith Earls
12 Gordon D'Arcy
13 Brian O Driscoll
14 Tommy Bowe
15 Rob Kearney

So, exactly the same team that just put in the massive second half performance against Italy.

Should be a cracking game! Battle of the backrows I think.

Screwe Alexander · 2nd October 2011, 09.26:55

1/2p at 15?

cybred · 2nd October 2011, 09.28:57

I think the packs will cancel each other out but we have more flair in the backs.

However if we give penalties away, then O'Gara will punish us, so a very tight game ahead but I think Wales will edge it!

cardiffred · 2nd October 2011, 16.27:20

I'll be surprised if O'Gara plays. Personally I'd love to see North running all over him but I think sexton will start. They can't play like they did against Italy or Aus.

There's no way Wellies will start either. The times he's been on the pitch have coincided with our backs looking the least dangerous. Priestland deserves to stay at ten.

Byrne will probably be dropped for Hook and Scott Williams will keep his place.

rygbigog · 2nd October 2011, 17.14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiffred

I'll be surprised if O'Gara plays. Personally I'd love to see North running all over him but I think sexton will start. They can't play like they did against Italy or Aus.

There's no way Wellies will start either. The times he's been on the pitch have coincided with our backs looking the least dangerous. Priestland deserves to stay at ten.

Byrne will probably be dropped for Hook and Scott Williams will keep his place.

Some close calls on the selection side, maybe the weather will be the deciding factor for experience or youth. Forecast for next Saturday in Wellington is 'chance' of rain and may be a bit windy, but they also predicted thunderstorms for the Samoa match and it ended up a nice sunny day!

justcantgetenough · 2nd October 2011, 17.21:59

Good article by the BBC for a change. Fairly balanced.

BBC - Ben Dirs: Celtic classic in the making

O Brien vs Warburton should be a cracking battle.

LA REDS · 2nd October 2011, 17.26:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiffred

I'll be surprised if O'Gara plays. Personally I'd love to see North running all over him but I think sexton will start. They can't play like they did against Italy or Aus.

There's no way Wellies will start either. The times he's been on the pitch have coincided with our backs looking the least dangerous. Priestland deserves to stay at ten.

Byrne will probably be dropped for Hook and Scott Williams will keep his place.

Still not sure about hooky at 15 but Byrne is still hot and cold so i suppose there's no option.You just know the Irish are going to send up high balls and put whoever our full back is, under pressure all game.

cardiffred · 2nd October 2011, 17.45:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by rygbigog

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiffred

I'll be surprised if O'Gara plays. Personally I'd love to see North running all over him but I think sexton will start. They can't play like they did against Italy or Aus.

There's no way Wellies will start either. The times he's been on the pitch have coincided with our backs looking the least dangerous. Priestland deserves to stay at ten.

Byrne will probably be dropped for Hook and Scott Williams will keep his place.

Some close calls on the selection side, maybe the weather will be the deciding factor for experience or youth. Forecast for next Saturday in Wellington is 'chance' of rain and may be a bit windy, but they also predicted thunderstorms for the Samoa match and it ended up a nice sunny day!

Youth have delivered so far... Youth deserves to stay.

2nd October 2011, 09.14:59	#1 (permalink)
rygbigog Cult Hero Racecourse Spot: Plas Coch Stand Real Name: none given Twitter: @ Gameroom: $4555 Rep:	RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland Saturday 8th October 6am on ITV and S4C. Firstly, we're in the 1/4s, an excellent performance in the toughest group to qualify from, put a few ghosts to rest from past RWCs. Smallest country to make the knockout stages and this also helps our seeding for 2015 when the RWC comes home to civilisation. But, instead of Australia we're now playing the second smallest nation who we've already beaten this year. Ireland probably have the best side in their history, so a massive challenge. Mellon has now had enough game time to be automatic loose head, I think Charteris will be too weak in contact for the big games but Ryan was impressive today. We lacked a kicking centre with Jamie doing what he's not used to and I've still got my doubts about Priestland bottling on the big occasion again So, my selection assuming everyone is fit: 1 G Jenkins 2 H Bennett 3 A Jones 4 B Davies 5 A W Jones 6 D Lydiate 7 S Warburton 8 T Faletau 9 M Phillips 10 S Jones 11 S Williams 12 J Roberts 13 J Hook 14 G North 15 L Byrne 16 L Burns, 17 P James, 18 R Jones, 19 A Powell, 20 Ll Williams, 21 R Priestland, 22 L Halfpenny. __________________ Original Rugby World Champions and current Rugby 7s World Champions. Grand Slams 1908, 1909, 1911, 1950, 1952, 1971, 1976, 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2012.

2nd October 2011, 09.24:18	#3 (permalink)
justcantgetenough Legend Racecourse Spot: By the bar Real Name: Eoin McLove Twitter: @ Gameroom: $9425 Rep:	Re: RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland Massive second half from Ireland. This is going to be one hell of a quarter final! My team would be: 1 Cian Healy 2 Rory Best (if he hasn't done his collarbone in) 3 Mike Ross 4 Donnacha O Callaghan 5 Paul O Connell (if he hasn't done his hamstring) 6 Stephen Ferris 7 Sean 'The beast' O Brien 8 Jamie Heaslip 9 Conor Murray 10 Ronan O Gara 11 Keith Earls 12 Gordon D'Arcy 13 Brian O Driscoll 14 Tommy Bowe 15 Rob Kearney So, exactly the same team that just put in the massive second half performance against Italy. Should be a cracking game! Battle of the backrows I think. __________________ Against Modern Football. #AMF Follow @standamf

2nd October 2011, 09.26:55	#4 (permalink)
Screwe Alexander Cult Hero Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @ Redneck Games - Possum Chucker Champion! Soccer Tournament Champion! Tournaments Won: 2 Gameroom: $6016 Rep:	Re: RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland 1/2p at 15? __________________ You’ve got to experience the lows to appreciate the highs.

2nd October 2011, 09.28:57	#5 (permalink)
cybred First Teamer Racecourse Spot: Yale upper Real Name: none given Twitter: @ Gameroom: $2663 Rep:	Re: RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland I think the packs will cancel each other out but we have more flair in the backs. However if we give penalties away, then O'Gara will punish us, so a very tight game ahead but I think Wales will edge it!

2nd October 2011, 17.21:59	#8 (permalink)
justcantgetenough Legend Racecourse Spot: By the bar Real Name: Eoin McLove Twitter: @ Gameroom: $9425 Rep:	Re: RWC 1/4 Final : Wales v Ireland Good article by the BBC for a change. Fairly balanced. BBC - Ben Dirs: Celtic classic in the making O Brien vs Warburton should be a cracking battle. __________________ Against Modern Football. #AMF Follow @standamf

2nd October 2011, 09.18:34	#2 (permalink)
LA REDS Cult Hero Racecourse Spot: ERS EX MOLD ROAD Real Name: Twitter: @ Gameroom: $2280 Rep:	Ireland looking very strong, it's gonna be real challenge . Think o'connell may have done his hamstring, which could be a bonus.

2nd October 2011, 16.27:20	#6 (permalink)
cardiffred Due a Testimonial Racecourse Spot: ERS Real Name: Gareth Davies Twitter: @garethdavies79 Gameroom: $8053 Rep:	I'll be surprised if O'Gara plays. Personally I'd love to see North running all over him but I think sexton will start. They can't play like they did against Italy or Aus. There's no way Wellies will start either. The times he's been on the pitch have coincided with our backs looking the least dangerous. Priestland deserves to stay at ten. Byrne will probably be dropped for Hook and Scott Williams will keep his place.