RugbyRebels

Not too many changes, Id like the Scrum tightened up and Id like Tomkins at 13

Halfpenny, McNicol, Tomkins, Parkes, Adams, Biggar, Williams
Jones, Owens, GriffJohn, Ball, AWJ, Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau

Elias, Evans, Brown, Hill, Moriaty, Webb, Evans, North

MrK wrote:Not too many changes, Id like the Scrum tightened up and Id like Tomkins at 13

Halfpenny, McNicol, Tomkins, Parkes, Adams, Biggar, Williams
Jones, Owens, GriffJohn, Ball, AWJ, Wainwright, Tipuric, Faletau

Elias, Evans, Brown, Hill, Moriaty, Webb, Evans, North

I'd prefer Webb at 9, but not much difference.

Is Beard fit? He should be back if he is.

And Carre? If his ban is over then....

I'm contradicting what I said only 2 days ago, but I agree that Tompkins needs to start. I had argued that if North was picked at 13 he should stay there for a run to develop; but that was under the assumption that we desperately needed a new centre option. After Saturday, I'm far less sure that's true. Tompkins is clearly ready.

Liam Williams is likely to be fit again isn't he?

Tomos Willimas has come on a lot. I'd keep him in, with Davies off the bench to attack tiring defences in the last 20. Yes to Tmpkins. He looked the real deal. A fit Liam Williams left out? Hard to see that, but ½P was outstanding. Maybe Liam in for McNicol. Webb was rusty IMO. Tomos and Davies ahead of him if fit.

Halfpenny
Liam Williams
Tompkins
Parkes
Adams
Biggar
Tomos Williams
Jones
Owens
Griff John
Ball
AWJ
Wainwright
Tipuric
Faletau

Elias
Evans
Brown
Hill
Moriarty
Davies
Evans
North

Tompkins deserves a start and if Liam is fit and firing, then I’d bring him in for McNicholl. The latter has done little wrong, but I prefer Liams all round game and Halfpenny played very well.

I’d give Griff John a run at TH to shore our scrum up. Otherwise the pack stays the same.

If Gareth Davies is fit then he needs to be on the bench. At his best, Webb is world class but he is very rusty.

It's nice to be in the position where we're suggesting dropping good players who are playing well, because we think we have players who will play better. McNicol looked good until his knock and did nothing wrong after it, but with Sanjay fit and ½p firing, I can't see a place for him. North did fine at 13 but Tompkins demands a start and that means no place for North either. The other 9s will need to show they offer more than Williams - I agree Webb creaked a bit but maybe that's out of his system now?

Ringrose is definitely out for next Saturday with Henshaw the likely replacement.

Kilcoyne and Doris going through HIA protocols but both could be out.

Irish Times worried about the workload Healy and Furlong had to carry against Scotland and might not be fully up to speed for us. Tagdh has a tight calf to worry about.

Whatever the selections Ireland face some disruption to their first choice 23.

Any news on our injuries?

Think Liam Williams and Gareth Davies are available again.

Apparently Ireland are announcing their 23 at 2.15 this afternoon.

Interesting to see how their walking wounded fare in the mix.

normanski wrote:Apparently Ireland are announcing their 23 at 2.15 this afternoon.

Interesting to see how their walking wounded fare in the mix.

Only two changes, Henshaw and O'Mahony are in for Ringrose and Doris:

Ireland team: 15. Jordan Larmour, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Jonathan Sexton, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. CJ Stander.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, John Cooney, Ross Byrne, Keith Earls.

Only two changes so on paper that’s a very strong set of starters with experience on the bench.

They misfired badly against the Scots with little cutting edge because of the first up tackling and breakdown work by the Bravehearts. I guess we can expect them to be going flat out from the off on Saturday to prove a point.

I just hope our backrow can get at Murray and Sexton and disrupt the flow to the backs and force them into a kicking game.

We got Sexton rattled in the Cardiff GS decider last year and their game plan went to pieces in the rain.

That must be a tactic for this weekend.

normanski wrote:Only two changes so on paper that’s a very strong set of starters with experience on the bench.

They misfired badly against the Scots with little cutting edge because of the first up tackling and breakdown work by the Bravehearts. I guess we can expect them to be going flat out from the off on Saturday to prove a point.

I just hope our backrow can get at Murray and Sexton and disrupt the flow to the backs and force them into a kicking game.

We got Sexton rattled in the Cardiff GS decider last year and their game plan went to pieces in the rain.

That must be a tactic for this weekend.

They looked a bit blunt in attack last week, let's hope Farrell is coaching any flair out of them in favour of defence. I fear a bit of a backlash tho tbh.

Liam Williams out probably until the last game against England

Elliot Dee, Gareth Davies and Owen Watkin are fit again

I am also wary that Ireland cannot play that badly again, and will have a point to prove

Definite risk of a backlash. But if we can disrupt their breakdown and protect our ball we can do well. Ireland were a pain at the ruck last Saturday so we will need our back row to be on their game.

Dewi Lake and Taine Basham have been called into our squad.

No-one out of the squad. Basham may be used in training in place of Navidi.

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Graigwen wrote:Dewi Lake and Taine Basham have been called into our squad.

No-one out of the squad. Basham may be used in training in place of Navidi.

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Good experience for two youngsters who could be in the 2023 RWC squad.

Pivac seems be targeting our young hopefuls to bring them on.

Graigwen wrote:Dewi Lake and Taine Basham have been called into our squad.

No-one out of the squad. Basham may be used in training in place of Navidi.

.

Headline writers dream..

Team announced:

WALES TEAM TO PLAY IRELAND (Saturday February 8 KO 14.15 ITV & S4C)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (86 Caps)
14. George North (92 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (1 Cap)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (26 Caps)
11. Josh Adams (22 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (80 Caps)
9. Tomos Williams (17 Caps)
1. Wyn Jones (23 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (74 Caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (23 Caps)
4. Jake Ball (43 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (135 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (19 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (73 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (73 Caps)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (10 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (6 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (7 Caps)
19. Adam Beard (20 Caps)
20. Ross Moriarty (42 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (51 Caps)
22. Owen Williams (3 Caps)
23. Johnny McNicholl (1 Cap)​

Team looks well balanced.

The bench has some impact, disappointed for Hill as I like him off the bench.

ELias, Carre and Brown give us a decent ball carrying front row to bring on, Moriaty will get game time.

Davies will be out to make a point off the bench against a hopefully tiring Ireland

I think O Williams is a good shout to cover 10/12.

All in all...happy.

Looks like two pretty much of equal strength sides to battle it out in Dublin.

Pivac has had the good fortune to have most of the first choices available or great backups.

Ireland will want to step up the ferocity but I think we have the team to scrape a narrow victory.

Can’t wait

I really like that team. Nice balance and a tidy bench and I’m pleased Owen Williams is getting an opportunity. Perhaps a bit harsh for Jarrod Evans but I do see the reasoning there.

Scrum still a concern but whilst bringing in Griff John looks tempting, if he isn’t fit enough then it will leave us exposed elsewhere.

Also gutted for Hill, but I can’t remember the last time I felt so confident leaving out good players. I think we have a good chance here.

Sandydragon wrote:
Also gutted for Hill, but I can’t remember the last time I felt so confident leaving out good players. I think we have a good chance here.

I think Hill is injured. Did it In training.

Very strong. Some quality players being left out, but justifiably. Great to have a squad that good.

It'll be great seeing the likes of Carre, Beard, Davies and McNicholl coming on, trying to force their way into the starting team.

That's a real impact bench. Good selection. Think Ireland will nick it by cheating at the breakdown and winning scrum pens.