Team for Ireland

[MrK]

Not surprised. In a way almost relieved. If it goes badly wrong, Howley has no one to blame.

True

[normanski]

When Gareth Jenkins failed at the RWC in 2007, Roger Lewis and the WRU took swift almost brutal action to bring in the Gatland era.

The madness of picking the same team favourites based on reputation and not form and failing time after time should bring in the same result, a brutal end to Howley's reign so we can go forward with a new coaching team.

I just don't think the WRU have the balls to do this because they will be too busy counting the pennies back in their gilded HQ.

[wayneha50]

As predictable as it is depressing. Whilst I think they are capable of raising their game from time-to-time & even winning Friday, I think its unlikely & the future looks grim until there's a coaching clearout.

[Mikey Brown]

That really is alarming. I feel for you guys. I'd quite like you to beat Ireland though.

[morepork]

Man that is limp.

[Big D]

It is almost surprising how unsurprising I think this is. Surely Howley must know there needs to be a change?

[Lord Lucan]

Howler showing what a truly spineless, awful, conservative, safety first coach he is, hopefully the only silver lining to all this is that he is demonstrating to those in charge that he is not fit to be Wales coach when cement head leaves.
They are all living on past glories, the players, coaches, the whole shebang. I feel sorry for the fans who pay good money to turn up and watch them, I won't be watching, I'm working and will not lose money to watch has beens trying to turn the clock back.

[Ross. S]

God thats depressing.

Can't see Howler leaving or getting sacked after the Ireland game, theres only one game left after that then McBride/Edwards takes over with Howler pissing off with Gats. When is Gats back with Wales, AI's or 2018 6N? Nobody in their right mind would waant to be caretaker for 1 6N match against France and maybe 4 AI's against Aus, Georgia, NZ and SA. We're stuck with this lot until Gats returns and fails or retires and takes them with him.

[Son of Mathonwy]

LIterally no surprises there.

This is bad, it's starting to make me feel like I did during the Gyppocaust*. I half want Wales to lose to demonstrate how poor the coaching is. Howley's just throwing the dice again, hoping we can fluke a win (not impossible... just unlikely) or at least a good performance he can point at. He is too conservative or afraid to make changes, just hoping we have a good game and Ireland have a bad one (coz that's the only way we can win this).

This dreadful run (not just the results, the directionless coaching) should force the WRU to look further afield than the current team to find Gatland's successor. Well, here's hoping.

* although to be fair, we are still better than that.

[Sourdust]

This management team is so scared of change, I wish I was their taxi driver.

[Sandydragon]

God thats depressing.

Can't see Howler leaving or getting sacked after the Ireland game, theres only one game left after that then McBride/Edwards takes over with Howler pissing off with Gats. When is Gats back with Wales, AI's or 2018 6N? Nobody in their right mind would waant to be caretaker for 1 6N match against France and maybe 4 AI's against Aus, Georgia, NZ and SA. We're stuck with this lot until Gats returns and fails or retires and takes them with him.

Hang on, when is Gatland returning? I seriously hope it is the AIs (assuming he isn't sacked) otherwise allowing your head coach to swan off for a season and a half of international rugby is even more fucking stupid than I have the WRU contempt for.

[ALunpg]

Suprised..stunned ..overwhelmed ..nope.... I used to get bipolar about Wales rugby...now I am just ho hum..

Even if they win we are still up the creek with no paddles

[Sandydragon]

If we win, it will be because we up the intensity and somehow brow beat the Irish (or someone has a moment of genius). That would be enough to reassure Howley that the plan is working.

[normanski]

If we win, it will be because we up the intensity and somehow brow beat the Irish (or someone has a moment of genius). That would be enough to reassure Howley that the plan is working.

I can't see Ireland being browbeaten by our front five and the back row battle is likely to be epic and could go either way.

I just think that in Murray and Sexton, Ireland will dictate play better and more directly and put their forwards in more opportunistic positions.

[Sandydragon]

If we win, it will be because we up the intensity and somehow brow beat the Irish (or someone has a moment of genius). That would be enough to reassure Howley that the plan is working.

I can't see Ireland being browbeaten by our front five and the back row battle is likely to be epic and could go either way.

I just think that in Murray and Sexton, Ireland will dictate play better and more directly and put their forwards in more opportunistic positions.

Yeah, it's not worked for us since 2012 and I'm pretty certain it won't work on Friday. If sexton plays well then it's no contest. Webb vs Murray will be a good match up.

[joshfishkins]

This management team is so scared of change, I wish I was their taxi driver.

Best comment on here, wish I could rep...

This is shocking, mostly because we all knew it was coming. Murray is a much better player than Webb (at the moment), Sexton better than Biggar the whinger and Sam Davies must be wondering what more he can do. The Irish are going to murder us on Friday.

Howley demonstrates his clueless approach in interviews all the time, like saying the championship was over for us. Yes it is, but we should still be targeting two more wins, and if we're not, we should be blooding new players for the future (anyone else spot the comments after the AIs? He said they had targeted a return of 70% win. We played four games, dick head, so 50%,75% or 100% but 70 is impossible. Alarming from someone who quotes stats all the time). Edwards 'best player on the bench' made me spit my tea out.

They have lost it, and I have lost my patience. Fuck it, I'll support Ireland on Friday, at least they play rugby that is nice to watch.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[Mikey Brown]

This management team is so scared of change, I wish I was their taxi driver.

Best comment on here, wish I could rep...

This is shocking, mostly because we all knew it was coming. Murray is a much better player than Webb (at the moment), Sexton better than Biggar the whinger and Sam Davies must be wondering what more he can do. The Irish are going to murder us on Friday.

Howley demonstrates his clueless approach in interviews all the time, like saying the championship was over for us. Yes it is, but we should still be targeting two more wins, and if we're not, we should be blooding new players for the future (anyone else spot the comments after the AIs? He said they had targeted a return of 70% win. We played four games, dick head, so 50%,75% or 100% but 70 is impossible. Alarming from someone who quotes stats all the time). Edwards 'best player on the bench' made me spit my tea out.

They have lost it, and I have lost my patience. Fuck it, I'll support Ireland on Friday, at least they play rugby that is nice to watch.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

My god. Howley has broken you.

[mcshinnertheligind]

Really looking forward to the back row battle

[ALunpg]

LIterally no surprises there.

This is bad, it's starting to make me feel like I did during the Gyppocaust*. I half want Wales to lose to demonstrate how poor the coaching is. Howley's just throwing the dice again, hoping we can fluke a win (not impossible... just unlikely) or at least a good performance he can point at. He is too conservative or afraid to make changes, just hoping we have a good game and Ireland have a bad one (coz that's the only way we can win this).

This dreadful run (not just the results, the directionless coaching) should force the WRU to look further afield than the current team to find Gatland's successor. Well, here's hoping.although to be fair, we are still better than that.

It has a direction... just it isnt on any directional system I know...its just the wrong damn way wherever its pointing. I can see where its disapearing though...right into the coaches backside.

[welshsaint]

It comes to something when I'm not looking forward to Friday night. Lose and ditch the coaching team, or win and keep them. Rock and a hard place.

[Lord Lucan]

It comes to something when I'm not looking forward to Friday night. Lose and ditch the coaching team, or win and keep them. Rock and a hard place.

Thats not going to happen though, twould be too expensive, they are here till the next world cup.

We should call this current crop of players, The Redeemers, no matter how many times they fuck up, no matter how bad their form, they still keep getting picked, to be given the chance to "redeem themselves." lose against Ireland and they'll get the same chance to go again against France. Its very annoying, these coaches haven't got a clue. Shaun Edwards bristles at any criticism, yet our defense is as bad as any other area of our play.
I never hope we will lose, and I hope we beat Ireland, but I still want these coaches gone, all of them, the whole set up is deluded and stale, they are a bunch of well paid failures, who have been given plenty of time to redeem themselves and failed miserably, goodbye and fuck off, don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.

[pompey-zebra]

Thing is, even when Wales' plan A worked, at its best it was only relatively successful. Yes, against the NH teams we won titles and it made us competitive against the SH, albeit without winning many matches. Now though, other teams have moved ahead while we've not only failed to develop a new style, philosophy, what have you, we've not even built significantly upon the strengths of plan A. Unless something remarkable happens soon, the time of Gatland, Howley et al,however long it lasts, might not be remembered as a golden age but a missed opportunity.

[Sandydragon]

Up to 2013, I think garlands reign would stand most comparisons. The failure against SH teams was slightly mitigated by the fact we were getting closer. But we never kicked on following the lions tour and as the game changed, we didn't. There was a case for a serious review post the last RWC. But we have wasted 2 years instead. Very frustrating and it will ultimately blot the record when you consider the early successes.

[francoisfou]

The sooner you boys get Dai Young on board, the better. Give him a free reign to bring with him who he thinks fit and wait for the good results.
Simple, innit!

But in the meantime, even though yer backs are against the wall, I'll be rootin' for ye!

[Ross. S]

Gatlands record with Wales currently stands: played 67, Won 33, Lost 33, Drawn 1. Barely scraping 50% atm. Anyone care to breakdown pre and post 2013 results?


Prediction for tonight? Halftime it'll be close, 13-9 to the Irish, end will be 36-12 to the irish after 2 fourth quater tries and a piss poor second half from Wales. Wales won't score a try.