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[2022 Six Nations] Ireland vs Wales (05/02/22)

If Wales can make it scrappy we'll have a game. There's beef in that pack and gamebreakers in the backline.

Stronger team than I had in my head earlier in the week when you see it written down but I'd hope we can make some gains in midfield.
 
Not seen the Irish team yet, but I feel like Wales might get beaten up a bit up front which will negate any potential for quick ball and a good attack. Might have some good attacking options, but struggle to get the ball into the right hands.
 
Not seen the Irish team yet, but I feel like Wales might get beaten up a bit up front which will negate any potential for quick ball and a good attack. Might have some good attacking options, but struggle to get the ball into the right hands.

In general, Biggar hasnt been conducive to any form of attack based game, so I think its arm wrestle and timely turnovers is the hope for Wales, along with kick chase gains
Someone mentioned that being an attacking team, and i guess we'll see, but there does seem a lack of distribution which just cripples teams, and Adams in that 13 channel is a very different prospect. May be highly exposed against an Aki/Ringrose combo
 
Not seen the Irish team yet, but I feel like Wales might get beaten up a bit up front which will negate any potential for quick ball and a good attack. Might have some good attacking options, but struggle to get the ball into the right hands.
They allowed teams to get too much quick ball in the AI. Wales either need to hit them back over the gain line in defence or really attack the breakdown, I think they will attack the breakdown as there's a about 4 players who are decent over the ball. Getting the quick ball is going to be a harder though, they have struggled with that ever since Privac has taken over, they don't have the players to simply bulldoze their way over but do have the forward pack to get it wide and offer the tip ons.
 
In general, Biggar hasnt been conducive to any form of attack based game, so I think its arm wrestle and timely turnovers is the hope for Wales, along with kick chase gains
Someone mentioned that being an attacking team, and i guess we'll see, but there does seem a lack of distribution which just cripples teams, and Adams in that 13 channel is a very different prospect. May be highly exposed against an Aki/Ringrose combo
Defensively as a winger Adams is good. As a 13 though Ireland will surely be testing his decision making there, expect set plays to target him.
 
Baloucoune in the Ulster side. Does make sense he'd be given a chance to get gametime if not in the 23.
 
Defensively as a winger Adams is good. As a 13 though Ireland will surely be testing his decision making there, expect set plays to target him.
This is part of it, Im sure he's a solid tackler, and good under high balls, but does that translate to defending both inside and outside yourself, more decisions on player ID and who to tackle/ blitz up on, plus with Aki v Tomkins, theres likely to be an offload threat on his inside holding him longer, and exposing that outside arc, I'd say it wont really need special plays so much as general play

On the other side of things, while tomkins is a good player, with wings everywhere outside him, I'd argue that there isnt going to be the variety and deception that you need to realy pull apart a defense these days, as Ireland did in the AI's to teams

Of course most years Wales look like they may struggle but play better than the sum of their parts, but this is usually when other teams arent playing attractive rugby and get dragged into a dogfight. If Ireland fire, it could spell trouble, particularly with the power and skills of the pack. Idk I just have an ominous feeling
 
I think Ellis Jenkins is my favorite Welsh player. Came back from injury against Munster and was the best player on the pitch. Thought he would be more of a 7 though.
 
Hard not to be disappointed & frustrated about Baloucoune.

I'm not entirely convinced over Hansen but got to trust that the coaches know better & I'm sure a lot has happened in training to dictate that choice.

So does this mean Henshaw for back cover? Or Larmour? If it's Henshaw we won't have any real wing cover but then again I can't see Henshaw not being in the 23 entirely..
 
I hope Baloucoune not starting is because Lowe and Stockdale aren't available and the risk of two 6n/tier 1 debuts on either wing is seen as too risky. Otherwise Conway over him is depressingly conservative.
 
I think Ellis Jenkins is my favorite Welsh player. Came back from injury against Munster and was the best player on the pitch. Thought he would be more of a 7 though.

He is, Basham is just even more of a 7 given his size. It's a Pooper situation.

Funny how disappointed we all are about Baloucoune given how good Conway was in the Autumn. Suppose it speaks to how exciting he is.
 
Probably means not a single Ulster player in the 23 either

Maybe Herring? But even then id like to see Sheehan on the bench despite Herring having one of his best seasons.
 
Probably means not a single Ulster player in the 23 either

Maybe Herring? But even then id like to see Sheehan on the bench despite Herring having one of his best seasons.

Don't worry why Henderson wouldn't be in the 23 at least, unless I missed something?
 
Hard not to be disappointed & frustrated about Baloucoune.

I'm not entirely convinced over Hansen but got to trust that the coaches know better & I'm sure a lot has happened in training to dictate that choice.

So does this mean Henshaw for back cover? Or Larmour? If it's Henshaw we won't have any real wing cover but then again I can't see Henshaw not being in the 23 entirely..

James Hume takes the 23 spot. Very surprised at that considering he can't cover any other position but we'll deserved nonetheless. Hansen starts as expected.
 
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 27 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 37 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 33 caps
11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) uncapped
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary's College) 101 caps CAPTAIN
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 12 caps
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 16 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 52 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 25 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 40 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary's College) 12 caps
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 35 caps
8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 22 caps

Replacements
16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 2 caps
17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 112 caps
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 18 caps
19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 6 caps
20. Peter O'Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 79 caps
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 92 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Munster/Clontarf) 27 caps
23. James Hume (Ulster/Banbridge) 1 cap
 
Still a little disappointed for Balacoune over Hansen, but Hume has been absolutely outstanding this year and fully deserves some recognition for that, though it says something that no Henshaw in that 23

No arguments with the rest of that team, irish backrow atm (Leinster backrow soz) is pure porn
 
Still a little disappointed for Balacoune over Hansen, but Hume has been absolutely outstanding this year and fully deserves some recognition for that, though it says something that no Henshaw in that 23

No arguments with the rest of that team, irish backrow atm (Leinster backrow soz) is pure porn
Yeah it's mad that we don't have room for the manliest and best player in the world in the 23.
 

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