6 NATIONS INTERNATIONAL RUGBY MATCH

05.02.2012
Wales v Ireland in Dublin

Venue: Aviv Stadium

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Preview
Both these two teams provided so much at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Who could forget Ireland’s performance against Australia at Eden park. I was there! Such passions from the players and supporters! It was fantastic.

And what about the Welsh efforts in all their games. A one point loss to South Africa. Not to mention the open and adventurous play of the Welsh backs.

Its seems so long ago. The question is can these two teams produce such rugby back in the Northern Hemisphere. There is the feeling we may just see a return to the boring northern play that surfaced at Murrayfield yesterday. I hope not.

Wales has had to contend with a string of injuries to key players, including Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Lloyd Burns, Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones. I see Priestland back in at fly half after an injury scare. With a number of new players Wales could well struggle to make a cohesive effort.

Ireland is without BOD. Ireland without Brian O’Driscoll is simply not the same team. But Declan Kidney has choosen almost the same side that did so well in New Zealand. Compared to Wales the Irish side should be cohesive.

Ireland should win this encounter.

Last Five Encounters
08.10.2011 Wales 22-10 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter Final)
12.03.2011 Wales 19-13 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
13.03.2010 Ireland 27-12 in Dublin (6 Nations)
21.03.2009 Ireland 17-15 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
08.03.2008 Wales 16-12 in Dublin (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Wales 5th, Ireland 6th
Europe Table-Wales 4th, Ireland 5th

IRB Ranking Points
Ireland 80.65, Wales 79.61

Prediction: Ireland by 4 points

Teams

IRELAND

15		Rob Kearney	Leinster
14		Tommy Bowe	Neath Swansea Ospreys, Wales
13		Fergus McFadden	Leinster
12		Gordon D'Arcy	Leinster
11		Andrew Trimble	Ulster
10		Jonathan Sexton	Leinster
9		Conor Murray	Munster
8		James Heaslip	Leinster
7		Sean O'Brien	Leinster
6		Stephen Ferris	Ulster
5		Paul O'Connell (Capt.)	Munster
4		Donncha O'Callaghan	Munster
3		Michael Ross	Leinster
2		Rory Best	Ulster
1		Cian Healy	Leinster
16		Sean Cronin	Leinster
17		Thomas Court	Ulster
18		Donnacha Ryan	Munster
19		Peter O'Mahony	Munster
20		Eoin Reddan	Leinster
21		Ronan O'Gara	Munster
22		David Kearney	Leinster
		COACH: Declan Kidney

WALES

15		Leigh Halfpenny	Cardiff Blues
14		Alexander Cuthbert	Cardiff Blues
13		Jonathan Davies	Llanelly Scarlets
12		James Roberts	Cardiff Blues
11		George North	Llanelly Scarlets
10		Rhys Priestland	Llanelly Scarlets
9		Michael Phillips	Bayonne, France
8		Tobias Faletau	Newport Gwent Dragons
7		Samuel Warburton (Capt.)	Cardiff Blues
6		Ryan Jones	Neath Swansea Ospreys
5		Ian Evans	Neath Swansea Ospreys
4		Bradley Davies	Cardiff Blues
3		Adam Jones	Neath Swansea Ospreys
2		Huw Bennett	Neath Swansea Ospreys
1		Rhys Gill	Saracens, England
16		Kenneth Owens	Llanelly Scarlets
17		Paul James	Neath Swansea Ospreys
18		Andrew Powell	Sales Sharks, England
19		Justin Tipuric	Neath Swansea Ospreys
20		Lloyd Williams	Cardiff Blues
21		James Hook	Perpignan, France
22		Scott Williams	Llanelly Scarlets
		COACH: Warren Gatland