Ireland vs Wales

[Zeno]

The team for Saturday -

G Murphy; J Bishop, B O'Driscoll (capt), K Maggs, D Hickie; D Humphreys, P Stringer; M Horan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, L Cullen, A Quinlan, K Gleeson, A Foley.

Bishop is the surprise, but I would have no problem with him in ahead of John Kelly. Other wise as is. I wonder if ROG's Dolphin possibilities have put him back to the no. 2 outhalf. He has said he will be around until after 6 nation 2004. If that is the case then I would hope that he is the first choice outhalf for the world cup

Couldn't balme ROG for taking the chance at $100,000 a week!

[Jodus]

Actually, there are no surprises in that team, for me. I was hoping they'd play ROG, but didn't think they would. Bishop is a better option at 14 than Kelly, he's closer in quality of the rest of the backline. But he's only back from injury, I hope he holds out.

It's great that we can bring in the likes of Cullen, Quinlan and Horan, and know that they won't let us down. Great strength in depth.

O'Callaghan and Kelly are on the bench...

[shakabu]

it's quite simple, ROG isn't in the team because DH has played well enough to merit reselection

[Jodus]

Originally posted by shakabu
it's quite simple, ROG isn't in the team because DH has played well enough to merit reselection

I'd say more like - he's not played badly enough to deserve to be dropped.

He's played well, with his level of ability, but a good Humph is still only as good as an average ROG.

[masterchief]

Is big Mr V Costello injured or just being rested for this game?

[Seamus O'Monstersuit]

Originally posted by shakabu
it's quite simple, ROG isn't in the team because DH has played well enough to merit reselection Ha ha ha ha. Good one Shak!

Costello is injured btw. Picked up a strain in training this morning.

[Zeno]

Injured I think. Looking forward to Cullen getting a start, he has been superb in the Mauls and lineouts.

[Jodus]

Cullen, like Longwell, will be a 60 or 65 minute player, O'Callaghan will get his first cap at some stage.

No-one is being rested or tested, this is the best team we can put out. Considering we are missing Corrigan, Wood, Longwell, David Wallace, Horgan and Dempsey through injury, and O'Connell, Henderson and O'Gara are being kept out, it's all good...

[masterchief]

is it a serious strain to costello.... He has been playing great rugby for ireland and making alot of hard yards in the games so far... Hope he is back for the england game...

[Jodus]

Originally posted by masterchief
is it a serious strain to costello.... He has been playing great rugby for ireland and making alot of hard yards in the games so far... Hope he is back for the england game...

The phrase they used was "tweaked a calf muscle", I think. Like you, I hope it's not a big deal...

[shakabu]

oh fucking come on!
ROG is a very, very good out half, but like Humphs he's had a couple of absolute shockers.

Humphries was outstanding against Scotland and Italy and kept a very cool head against France.

He deserves support, not a constant choir of doomsayers whenever the pressure is on him.

[masterchief]

"A tweaked calf muscle" doesn't sound to serious.... So what or who do we have to sacrifice to insure that he is fighting fit???

[Zeno]

They all deserve our support. I just think that ROG is the better outhalf and deserves his chance. After all he was in posession when he was injured (taken out actually). Humprhey's is also a great outhalf and I would have confidence in him also. I just think ROG is better

[shakabu]

i think he's the technically better player. but technique counts for little if you're not confident. Humphries is confident. We don't know about Ronan.

Ireland has a miserable history of allowing selection procedures take precedent over form especially with regard to out halves...I think the rebirth of Humphries' representative career has been one of the many bright points in the season so far...

[Jodus]

shak, he had a poor start against Italy, and kicked poorly from his hands. He's been decent against France, but didn't make best use of the ball he got.

Also, he wasn't carrying great form into the tournament. ROG was playing brilliantly for Munster, that's where the confidence comes from.

[Jodus]

So, we all looking forward to it? As I said in my blog (which you are all welcome to read! :D), I expect our set pieces to outperform theirs. Looking for another 100% lineout success from us, and a few steals from theirs, and some good yards gained from rolling mauls.

After two average games (by their standards), I'm hoping for Hickie and BOD to shine...

[ScallyWag]

Originally posted by Jodus
So, we all looking forward to it?

No, but that's because I'm Welsh. Even Jonathan Humphreys rates Ireland as this years from team:


* Ireland 'better than England' *
Wales captain Jonathan Humphreys says that Saturday's opponents are the form team of the Six Nations.
Full story:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2867375.stm


I hope you beat us (but not by too wide a margin) and then go on to slaughter the English!!

[cailín]

After 30mins in the U21 game Wales leading us 7-5

[Mac]

Jaysus, if we bate the Sasanachs!

Ah well...hope it's a decent game tomorrow anyway.

[shakabu]

Originally posted by Jodus
shak, he had a poor start against Italy, and kicked poorly from his hands. He's been decent against France, but didn't make best use of the ball he got.

Also, he wasn't carrying great form into the tournament. ROG was playing brilliantly for Munster, that's where the confidence comes from.

ROG was playing brilliantly for munster. then got injured. there's no way of knowing whether or not the confidence is carried through.

Humphries had a poor start against italy, then scored the try that really turned the game for us, and played well for most of the game.

Didn't make the best use of the ball he got against France?
Results speak for themselves. Kicked us to victory i think you'll find.

As a Munsterman I'd prefer to see ROG playing, purely from a parochial point of view. But I don't see how anyone can quibble with Humphries' continued selection in view of the season he's having for Ireland.

[ultimatewarrior]

Originally posted by Mac
Jaysus, if we bate the Sasanachs!

Ah well...hope it's a decent game tomorrow anyway.


Ni Maith liom na sasanaigh

[Zeno]

A bit off the point but ROG was brilliant for Cork Con (phhttooo) against Carlow last saturday. Ok I know it is AIL and the standard is lower but his conversions were awesome. Most of them were from the sideline. It was funny to see him wip the ball out at international standard. He was putting the ball yards in front of his centres who had to bust a gut to get it, got them moving though.

Am definately looking forward to tmorrow. I'm sure the Welsh will play out of their skins, but we should have the class to prevail. looking forward to seeing how Cullen, Quinlan & Bishop do from the out and hoping to see ROG at some stage (early enough to get a chance.)

[shakabu]

I'm looking forward to the "brillunt" Alan Quinlan playing himself onto the first team!

[Jodus]

Quinlan will have to do something out of this world to stay at 6 ahead of Costello, Miller and Wallace...

[Zeno]

There sure is talent in dept there! Hard to believe that the mighty Quinlan might not only drop from the International squad but lose his Munster place if Wallace hits form and fitness. Ireland with a backrow of Gleeson, Foley, Wallace/Costello and Munster with Williams, Foley and Wallace. Tough times to be a 'brillunt' back row plyer

[Jodus]

And I never mentioned Simon Easterby. Some people have a problem with him, but he's had two great seasons with Llanelli (sp?), and gives you a great option as a tail jumper in the lineout.

When they are all fit, someone's not even making the A team bench!

[Chameleon]

So go on then!
Why is there nobody discussing it?

I missed it because I went on the march, but I want a post-mortem!!!!
So come on!

[Ida Lovett]

It was great Chameleon.

They threw and kicked the ball up and down the pitch.

Ireland scored the most points although Wales overtook us near the end when the Welsh guys kicked a drop goal. It was the first time in the game that the Welsh were in the lead but Ronan O'Gara scored a drop goal about 30 seconds later and Ireland were back in the lead with only about a minute left. The Welsh guys tried to score another drop goal but Hickey was very brave and charged it down and Ireland won.

It was very exciting!

[Chameleon]

Did they look like a team that could beat England though?

[gerire]

Going on todays performance they wouldn't beat the 'sausage necks' geddit?, but their attitude next week will be totally different. It was great to see ROG kick an amazing, especially under the pressure he was, field goal with just his first or second kick back in the international scene.
I feel that they will announce during the week that due to a concern over DH's fitness they are going to rest him.
Also it will be interesting if we hear anything from Woody during the week as he has always said on BBC, not sure about today though, that he was aiming to be back for the English game.

Ah well bring it on, if its half as exciting as the end to todays game was it'll be great


Ger

[magicbastarder]

Originally posted by Ida Lovett
It was the first time in the game that the Welsh were in the lead
i heard they were 7-3 up about 20 mins in?

[Ida Lovett]

Well, they might have been but that wasn't really a lead at all but at the end they thought they had it won!:D :D :D

[qwerty]

Originally posted by Ida Lovett
It was great Chameleon.

They threw and kicked the ball up and down the pitch.

Ireland scored the most points although Wales overtook us near the end when the Welsh guys kicked a drop goal. It was the first time in the game that the Welsh were in the lead but Ronan O'Gara scored a drop goal about 30 seconds later and Ireland were back in the lead with only about a minute left. The Welsh guys tried to score another drop goal but Hickey was very brave and charged it down and Ireland won.

It was very exciting!

....any chance of George Hooker using this as his match report in the paper today....:D :D

[micko]

That's exactly what happened. Ida has it down to a tee. A great ending, real nail-biting stuff, even if the rugby wasn't exactly flowing...

[Chameleon]

What worries me is that Wales were supposed to be a walkover weren't they? Or did they suddenly awake from slumber?

gerire, I thought Wood was out for the rest of the season.

[Ida Lovett]

Originally posted by Chameleon
Did they look like a team that could beat England though?

Of course they did!

*Crosses fingers*

[Mossy]

24/03/03:
Destiny calls them?
After this testing of the old ticker you'd be inclined to believe so. If Ireland do somehow derail the mighty English chariot in the mother of all Grand Slam showdowns Lansdowne Road has ever seen next Sunday, for sheer shattering dramatics the events of the Millennium Stadium on Saturday will still take some beating. Follow that.

Good sides win when playing badly, it is said, and good sides make their own luck. When Wales kicked off their halcyon 1970s with a first Grand Slam in 19 years in 1971, it will be remembered that they completed the fourth leg in Murrayfield with a last-ditch touchline conversion by flanker John Taylor.

From a long time ago there wasn't a ticket to be had, yet 62 Lansdowne Road will really come under siege now. A 49,000 capacity will be a loaves and fishes job. Politicians, big business, sponsors and other assorted big-wigs will really up the pressure for tickets now. Philip Browne, the IRFU chief executive, will probably have the least enviable job in the country for the next week.

It's a good problem to have, perhaps, and could you imagine the sense of letdown if Ireland had lost on Saturday and, as with two years ago, it was only England who had the Grand Slam in their sights?

Now, at least, Ireland have a tilt at a slam for the first time in 21 years. A chance of a lifetime indeed.

Journalism demands that you're constantly looking ahead. Move the story on, particularly when next up is the biggest story ever to come to Lansdowne Road.

Yet you couldn't possibly forget Ireland's 25-24 win in Cardiff on Saturday.

England's 31-point winning margin later that afternoon against the Scots means that their superior points differences gives them the minor edge of knowing that a draw would leave them champions. But a draw would be an anti-climax for both sides.

As coach Eddie O'Sullivan said, it's on now: "A showdown for the Grand Slam, the winner takes all and the devil take the hindmost."

Besides, any Irishman or Irishwoman would have chopped off the Lord's hand if they'd been offered a one-point Irish win from about the 71st minute onwards on Saturday. Instead, the gods gave us, and the game, Ronan O'Gara. Some 12 minutes later he looked down, dropped the ball onto his right foot and aimed toward the posts.

At that juncture he had the whole kaboodle in his hands and at his feet. The season and the dream was all down to him. "The whole bag of chips," as Eddie O'Sullivan wryly put it.

"I just chanced my arm really," O'Gara smiled disarmingly. He didn't claim he knew it was over when he hit it; he feared he had hit it too high and that it would drop short.

"It kind of got shot halfway through its flight but it managed to stay on course to fall the right side from our point of view."

Nor, he confessed, was it a called move, as he was half-expecting the pack to take it on first. "Just pure instinct," he said, shaking his head.

O'Gara is right back in the frame for a starting place next Sunday, and O'Sullivan will hope that Victor Costello and Gary Longwell will be also by the time he announces his hand on Wednesday.

It might, in the overall scheme of things, be no bad thing that Ireland received the shock of all shocks to their system in Cardiff. The one-off stakes of next Sunday will certainly clarify the situation, and in a sense the pressure of ensuring that shoot-out came to pass applied far more psychological pressure last Saturday.

"There was a lot of nervousness out there," admitted O'Sullivan, "because talking to the guys afterwards they were all very nervous. I'd hate for people to think that we took Wales for granted. I don't think anybody can say that, but at the back of their minds they knew the importance of this game and it put huge pressure knowing they could be one game away from winning the Grand Slam.

What a way for Malcolm O'Kelly to celebrate his 50th cap! Bursting out of the dressing-room onto the pitch, albeit in the wrong direction, he had another big game and, fittingly, chased down that final Irish restart.

"It was a roller-coaster game, up in the air right to the death," he reflected almost whimsically. "We hung in there. The last 10 minutes were a free-for-all. All our plans went out the window."

Of the restart he said: "I told Rog to put it on the 15 and the kick was right on the money. I got a tap on it, we recycled it, secured it and Rog kicked it. Somebody up there was looking after us today."

Somebody up there was also keeping an eye on Donncha O'Callaghan, for whom his 17-minute debut will take some beating. For his mother, four brothers and sister, it was an emotional day, as they had buried his father on this very Saturday 18 years ago. "It was incredible that it should happen today," said his brother Eddie. "It made it all the sweeter."

He's a special talent, and he fearlessly put himself about to make quite an impact during his cameo. Funnily enough, one of his abiding memories was the wall of noise that greeted Stephen Jones's drop goal. "I've never heard noise like that in my life. It was incredible. The ground seemed to shake."

Despite the controversial manner in which they were denied the late penalty they probably should have been given for Justin Bishop's deliberate knock-on, the Welsh were generous in defeat, and the sense of goodwill towards Ireland next Sunday was palpable.

"I think Ireland can beat England," ventured Welsh captain Jonathan Humphreys. "It's probably going to be the biggest day of their rugby lives."

In another quirk, Paddy Reid, who played in the 1948 team, is a second cousin of the Irish team manager, Brian O'Brien. The young O'Brien, "about 10 at the time", was in Ravenhill on the day 53 years ago when Ireland completed that one and only Grand Slam by beating France.

Next Sunday could be another one to tell the grandchildren about alright. "But wait till I tell you about what happened the week before in Cardiff . . ."

[cailín]

I think a lot of the problem on saturday was that psychologically the showdown against England was probably playing on the backs of the players minds - it meant that they didnt relax against the Welsh and allow the game to flow more smoothly. All we have to do is look at the scrummage - one of Ireland's finer areas so far in the competition, yet saturday it was all over the place.
Sunday will be a different game altogether. It will be all or nothing - all the rest of the games were a buildup to this one. A home game against England with the chance of winning the grand slam will see a transformed team from that we saw on saturday.
I really hope Victor is back - he was a huge loss on saturday, and we were shown just how pivotal a role he plays in the driving maul.
I also hope O'Gara gets the nod (though I doubt he will). Humphreys kicked well, but as George Hook said, Humphreys tends to kick the ball too much. O'Gara is more inclined to link up and play the ball - and only kick when it's the best option. Humphreys takes into the hand and kicks too often. It slows down the game, and stops the team from getting the momentum we know it has!
Roll on Sunday!

[Jodus]

Here's the funny thing - for all his curtness and seemingly unreasonable opinions, Hook's often spot on. He's been spot on about Humphreys all tournament. Our back line is seeing far too little ball. How has Hickie had so little opportunity to attack in the last 3 games? Cause the ball is never spun out wide. Humphreys doesn't know the meaning of "skip pass", methinks.

We never really used Maggs as a ball carrier on Saturday, despite badly needing to. Bishop hardly took a forward step with bal in hand. And Quinlan and Hayes were guilty of a few missed tackles, the thing we had cut out of our defensive game.

That game really worried me. We seemed to buckle badly under pressure, having held out so well against Scotland and France. Which Ireland will show up on Sunday? And which England?

[king ink]

it was an absolutely terrible match .. very exciting (in a bad way, i'm convinced i nearly had a heart attack)

the forwards were abysmal as a pack, cullen and o'kelly performed well in the lineouts as usual but around the pitch were nowhere to be seen. The front row was just terrible, the welsh totally screwed them in the scrum and they had no response, every penalty in the scrum went against ireland. the back row, in particular foley had a really off day, tackling was terrible no work rate around the pitch.
wales played the simpliest most one dimensional rugby ever played by an international team(up the middle, very easy to defend against) and we had no response.
the one positive is that despite how bad we played, our backs still looked dangerous, a sight i have not seen in a good many years, and we did take our opportunities.

lets hope it was just a blip, and lets thank GOD for ROG.

[Zeno]

We after that game I think that I am safe from a heart attack for a while, it it didn't come on saturday then it won't for a few more years. I missed the phase before ROG's drop goal as I was kicking a wall.
The Welsh must be sick, they were the better team, Jones was awesome.
The bad points -
Out tackling was very poor, we were missing the first up tackle that was so imortant against France.
We were scrummaged off the pitch, I though the ref was letting the Welsh bore accross but fair play they outfoxed the Bull and Marcus had a torrid afternoon.
We never kept the ball, too much kicking (albeit some of it good). It was like without Costello the plan of carrying the ball was just given up.
The good points -
Murphy and Gleeson and ROG (for his self-confidence) and Shane 100% Byrne

feck it it will be some day next Sunday. Hopefully we might learn and the English might become a bit complacent!!
Costello( he will if fit of course) and O' Gara in please. I'd leave the front row and hope the English won't be as good as the Welsh were.

[Jodus]

Originally posted by king ink
the forwards were abysmal as a pack, cullen and o'kelly performed well in the lineouts as usual but around the pitch were nowhere to be seen. The front row was just terrible, the welsh totally screwed them in the scrum and they had no response, every penalty in the scrum went against ireland. the back row, in particular foley had a really off day, tackling was terrible no work rate around the pitch.
wales played the simpliest most one dimensional rugby ever played by an international team(up the middle, very easy to defend against) and we had no response.
the one positive is that despite how bad we played, our backs still looked dangerous, a sight i have not seen in a good many years, and we did take our opportunities.

Absolutely spot on.

I have to say, I was happy with Cullen, and O'Callaghan after him, and Gleeson obviously did well. Byrne's throwing was good, as always, and he did ok in the loose. But Horan, Hayes, Quinlan and Foley were all disappointing. If Costello is still out (I REALLY hope he's ok), I'd be putting Miller in, and Emmet Byrne, had he been back a few weeks more, would get a look in.

Also, BOD had another very quiet game in attack. Is this purely down to our style of play in the last 3 games, or are the opposition figuring out how to deny him space? Cause if they keep a narrower defensive line to do this, surely that would have given room to our wingers. Had they ever got the ball, we might have discovered this.