Rugby World Cup 2011

[sans pessimism]

If we can beat Wales then I will be hoping for an English win. No matter what disarray the french are in they seem to beat us whereas ( since 200) we have a deadly record against the chariot boys.

agreed

[HiMucker]

Wales have named their team it is a more lightweight and inexperienced version of Wales. Lydiate is at blindside instead of Ryan Jones. No Hook, Steven Jones or Lee Byrne who doesn't even make the panel. We now know their gameplan is to move the ball. I am happy as I don't think it is their best team.

Jenkins
Bennett
Adam Jones
Charteris
wyn Jones
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Philips
Priestland
Shane Williams
Roberts
Jonathan Davies
North
Halfpenny

These are the players who've done well so far in the world cup. They were a heartbeat from beating South Africa and looked very good in their other games. It's a formidable team that presents us with challenges we haven't faced yet in this tournament.

They are not formidable, they have done well but they lost to a South Africa side that came last by some considerable distance in the Tri-nations. That game sums up Wales for me, they are mentally weak and when it came to closing out that game they couldn't deliver.

Only Philips, Adam Jones, Wyn Jones and Shane Williams were involved in their last Grand Slam in 2008. The Welsh players have failed to deliver at club level consistently, when it comes to knock-out rugby the majority of the Irish squad can look at least 2 Heineken Cup medals, the Welsh players can't.  Wales have only won 3 times against Ireland in 10 years including only once away from Cardiff. Ireland are favourites for a reason.

Wales game plan is all about using their centres to generate go-forward ball and the using the off-load to get their back-row and back-three running into space, crucially this off-load is generally done before contact. D'Arcy and O'Driscoll are the key defensively and the much maligned D'Arcy (by me) has found his form and his channel will be the key defensively and if our back-row (Heaslip is doing some amount of work at the break-down) are on their game we can and will slow down enough of their ball to deny that quick ball Wales love. Wales don't have a plan B, they can't go back to their pack because their tight 5 aren't good enough and their back-row are all very loose and not a hope they will match the physicality of the the Irish back-row.

Forget the hype about Wales, they really love building themselves up. Ireland have the edge physically, mentally and experience wise. Ireland will win and I think they will win well.

Fcuk Dinny, you could have me loose 50 quid right and handy with that peice.  C'Mon Ireland 

[brokencrossbar1]

I don't see why Best shouldn't be fit.  I know from experience of dislocating my AC joint with the right physio work and exercise you can get back reasonsably quickly, I was able to come back within 2 weeks and play in a championship match, I don't see why the likes of Best who is a professional with all the assistance that goes with that can't come back from a sprain. 

[North Longford]

If he can play in half the time out it took you bc1 then he's some man. Big variety in grades of ac separation. Complete separation, ligaments torn etc could need surgery and rory would prob be at home at this stage. Minor separation and he could be alright. Might be some painkilling substances administered. And he's lucky he only has to scrum down in a rugby world cup quarter final. Could be am armagh senior championship match. 

[sans pessimism]

If he can play in half the time out it took you bc1 then he's some man. Big variety in grades of ac separation. Complete separation, ligaments torn etc could need surgery and rory would prob be at home at this stage. Minor separation and he could be alright. Might be some painkilling substances administered. And he's lucky he only has to scrum down in a rugby world cup quarter final. Could be am armagh senior championship match. 

[screenmachine]

Is it true Francie Bellew once played a match two days after dislocating both shoulders?

[brokencrossbar1]

If he can play in half the time out it took you bc1 then he's some man. Big variety in grades of ac separation. Complete separation, ligaments torn etc could need surgery and rory would prob be at home at this stage. Minor separation and he could be alright. Might be some painkilling substances administered. And he's lucky he only has to scrum down in a rugby world cup quarter final. Could be am armagh senior championship match. 

Ulster quarter final, Ulster , but the point is that he has a sprained shoulder, I had a full seperation and was told by the consultant I had to take 12 weeks off playing.  Pure thick wit and a good physio got me fit.  I don't see how Best shouldn't be fit given his physical conditioning and the medical staff available to him.  Jeez some boys are auld pansies anyway

[HiMucker]

Sure Ricey has played his whole career with a dislocated face 

[mc_grens]

Wales have named their team it is a more lightweight and inexperienced version of Wales. Lydiate is at blindside instead of Ryan Jones. No Hook, Steven Jones or Lee Byrne who doesn't even make the panel. We now know their gameplan is to move the ball. I am happy as I don't think it is their best team.

Jenkins
Bennett
Adam Jones
Charteris
wyn Jones
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Philips
Priestland
Shane Williams
Roberts
Jonathan Davies
North
Halfpenny

These are the players who've done well so far in the world cup. They were a heartbeat from beating South Africa and looked very good in their other games. It's a formidable team that presents us with challenges we haven't faced yet in this tournament.

They are not formidable, they have done well but they lost to a South Africa side that came last by some considerable distance in the Tri-nations. That game sums up Wales for me, they are mentally weak and when it came to closing out that game they couldn't deliver.

Only Philips, Adam Jones, Wyn Jones and Shane Williams were involved in their last Grand Slam in 2008. The Welsh players have failed to deliver at club level consistently, when it comes to knock-out rugby the majority of the Irish squad can look at least 2 Heineken Cup medals, the Welsh players can't.  Wales have only won 3 times against Ireland in 10 years including only once away from Cardiff. Ireland are favourites for a reason.

Wales game plan is all about using their centres to generate go-forward ball and the using the off-load to get their back-row and back-three running into space, crucially this off-load is generally done before contact. D'Arcy and O'Driscoll are the key defensively and the much maligned D'Arcy (by me) has found his form and his channel will be the key defensively and if our back-row (Heaslip is doing some amount of work at the break-down) are on their game we can and will slow down enough of their ball to deny that quick ball Wales love. Wales don't have a plan B, they can't go back to their pack because their tight 5 aren't good enough and their back-row are all very loose and not a hope they will match the physicality of the the Irish back-row.

Forget the hype about Wales, they really love building themselves up. Ireland have the edge physically, mentally and experience wise. Ireland will win and I think they will win well.

I agree with most of that actually. My whole attitude towards it is just that we shouldn't take them lightly. It's the result of being a Derry Football supporter!

One thing I'd add is this: The Welsh are setting huge store on Warburton. I'd love to see Ireland repeatedly sending Ferris and O'Brien rumbling right over the top of him to undermine their confidence.

[Dinny Breen]

Wales have named their team it is a more lightweight and inexperienced version of Wales. Lydiate is at blindside instead of Ryan Jones. No Hook, Steven Jones or Lee Byrne who doesn't even make the panel. We now know their gameplan is to move the ball. I am happy as I don't think it is their best team.

Jenkins
Bennett
Adam Jones
Charteris
wyn Jones
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau
Philips
Priestland
Shane Williams
Roberts
Jonathan Davies
North
Halfpenny

These are the players who've done well so far in the world cup. They were a heartbeat from beating South Africa and looked very good in their other games. It's a formidable team that presents us with challenges we haven't faced yet in this tournament.

They are not formidable, they have done well but they lost to a South Africa side that came last by some considerable distance in the Tri-nations. That game sums up Wales for me, they are mentally weak and when it came to closing out that game they couldn't deliver.

Only Philips, Adam Jones, Wyn Jones and Shane Williams were involved in their last Grand Slam in 2008. The Welsh players have failed to deliver at club level consistently, when it comes to knock-out rugby the majority of the Irish squad can look at least 2 Heineken Cup medals, the Welsh players can't.  Wales have only won 3 times against Ireland in 10 years including only once away from Cardiff. Ireland are favourites for a reason.

Wales game plan is all about using their centres to generate go-forward ball and the using the off-load to get their back-row and back-three running into space, crucially this off-load is generally done before contact. D'Arcy and O'Driscoll are the key defensively and the much maligned D'Arcy (by me) has found his form and his channel will be the key defensively and if our back-row (Heaslip is doing some amount of work at the break-down) are on their game we can and will slow down enough of their ball to deny that quick ball Wales love. Wales don't have a plan B, they can't go back to their pack because their tight 5 aren't good enough and their back-row are all very loose and not a hope they will match the physicality of the the Irish back-row.

Forget the hype about Wales, they really love building themselves up. Ireland have the edge physically, mentally and experience wise. Ireland will win and I think they will win well.

I agree with most of that actually. My whole attitude towards it is just that we shouldn't take them lightly. It's the result of being a Derry Football supporter!

One thing I'd add is this: The Welsh are setting huge store on Warburton. I'd love to see Ireland repeatedly sending Ferris and O'Brien rumbling right over the top of him to undermine their confidence.

The experience Ireland has brings humilty and Kidney has prepares his sides to respect the opponent. Ireland won't under-estimate them but they won't fear them either and why would they.

Interesting point about Warburton, there is a lot of pressure on his shoulders, he is too young to lead by words so if his game goes belly up Wales will probably follow suit. As long we keep them behind the gain line it will nullify his game and any bit of luck he'll make himself a nice early target at a ruck for O'Brien or Ferris...and then bang!!!!!

[AZOffaly]

My natural fatalism is screaming that Ireland will get caught on the hop on Saturday but rational analysis, such as Dinny provided, only points towards one conclusion. The one thing that is making me more hopeful than my natural caution normally allows is the experience of knock out rugby within the Irish squad. Fellas like Kearney, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, O'Gara, Heaslip, The O'Cs, Healy and Ross, not to mention the backups like Leamy, Sexton, Reddan, Jennings and co all know what it takes to grind out results against good opposition in knock out matches.

I think the Welsh have a secret fear of the Irish provinces, and the fact that they are facing the pick of them in the sort of game that Welsh teams crumble in gives me hope.

If it's a mad running sort of game, and Ireland don't impose themselves on it, then we could easily be beaten because the Welsh have talent. I just don't think they are ready to beat Ireland in a game like this.

[The Burner]

it s a typical Irish thing to be constantly wary of the opposition. Wales are a decent side but lets not over estimate them. How many tries did they run in against the decent teams in there group Samoa and South Africa. Just 2. Ireland are the more experienced side and showed this against a similarly inexperience side to wales in Australia. I expect us to strangled the life out of them upfrom and stop them from get any quick ball. ireland kept australia and italy try-less and I am confident we will restrict Wales to 1 try. Ireland 23
Wales 16

[Main Street]

I certainly hope the rugby team can win their 1/4 final, for the first time ever.
For too long (for all time in actuality) Irish rugby has sat at the bottom of the only competing division of 8 or 9 teams. I can imagine the inferiority complex is a big hurdle to overcome, but chin up lads.

[bcarrier]

Cant believe they have left Hook out. They were complaining they needed two of him last week.

[AZOffaly]

George?