Six Nations. First up - the Irish!

[normanski]

Or should that be: First.... up the Irish!

There is no question that this game is pivotal for so many reasons. Win and we get the campaign off to a flying start. Wishful thinking would say this could be a Championship winning start in similar vein to Gatland’s prediction that a win in Paris would give a grand slam in 2019.

Pivac’s future is on the line and only a winning start is going to quieten the pundits. Lose and with a poor team performance and this will see the knives out, aiming for his front, back and scalp.

It’s not beyond the bounds of probability, however, that this could turn out well for Wales. If the work being done on the set pieces can come together and provide us with a solid platform with clean possession then we can surprise Ireland. A lot rest on the front five. We have the backs (form permitting, Foxy?) to use this possession to score quite a few points.

Our defence has to tighten considerably and we can’t be browbeaten by the Irish at the breakdown like we were last season. Our clear outs have to be spot on every time and legally - no silly discipline penalties.

We fans have had very little to shout about in the past year but hope springs eternal.

My wishful thinking forecast: Wales 20, Ireland 12.

I reserve the right to change my prediction according to my mood next week, the team selection and the weather!

[Sandydragon]

Or should that be: First.... up the Irish!

There is no question that this game is pivotal for so many reasons. Win and we get the campaign off to a flying start. Wishful thinking would say this could be a Championship winning start in similar vein to Gatland’s prediction that a win in Paris would give a grand slam in 2019.

Pivac’s future is on the line and only a winning start is going to quieten the pundits. Lose and with a poor team performance and this will see the knives out, aiming for his front, back and scalp.

It’s not beyond the bounds of probability, however, that this could turn out well for Wales. If the work being done on the set pieces can come together and provide us with a solid platform with clean possession then we can surprise Ireland. A lot rest on the front five. We have the backs (form permitting, Foxy?) to use this possession to score quite a few points.

Our defence has to tighten considerably and we can’t be browbeaten by the Irish at the breakdown like we were last season. Our clear outs have to be spot on every time and legally - no silly discipline penalties.

We fans have had very little to shout about in the past year but hope springs eternal.

My wishful thinking forecast: Wales 20, Ireland 12.

I reserve the right to change my prediction according to my mood next week, the team selection and the weather!

I'm not that confident, but its also fair to suggest that we aren't a million miles away. Poor set piece and a misfunctioning back row were at the root of our Autumn issues. A likely back row of Faletau, Tipuric and Lydiate is unlikely to be bullied and should add more physicality. Botham an Lewis-Hughes are definitely players for the future, but we need a decent year to silence the critics and Lydiate is in great form now. Its seems a bit early for navidi sadly who would hugely improve our breakdown.

Owens back at hooker will help the line out a lot. I hope they have been practicing set pieces and they were a big problem for us.

Foxy should not be starting at the moment for Wales, but his form aside, there is a lot of talent there to cause damage to the Irish. I suspect Biggar will get the nod ot start so Im not expecting fireworks from us, but if we can get some quality possession then we have the players to do some damage. I'll reserve my usual rollercoaster until Ive seen the team selection.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The odds are against us, all rational thought puts us as underdogs, but I will no doubt be expecting victory come kick off. It's doable.

Our pack will be looking pretty solid with Owens back; we can manage without AWJ if need be (gotta get used to this) and the back row should be magnificent.

My usual anti-Biggar prejudice tells me that we'll never really play freely with him starting. Would prefer Sheedy (or Patchell, should he ever be fit again). But Biggar has proved me wrong before.

I'd play North at 13. Although he's really gotten involved playing on the wing for the Ospreys recently, I can see him barely seeing the ball there at test level (again). We need to make the most of him. With his experience I don't think he's weak in defence any more. (NB I think he'll be picked on the wing)

[Mikey Brown]

The odds are against us, all rational thought puts us as underdogs, but I will no doubt be expecting victory come kick off. It's doable.

Our pack will be looking pretty solid with Owens back; we can manage without AWJ if need be (gotta get used to this) and the back row should be magnificent.

My usual anti-Biggar prejudice tells me that we'll never really play freely with him starting. Would prefer Sheedy (or Patchell, should he ever be fit again). But Biggar has proved me wrong before.

I'd play North at 13. Although he's really gotten involved playing on the wing for the Ospreys recently, I can see him barely seeing the ball there at test level (again). We need to make the most of him. With his experience I don't think he's weak in defence any more. (NB I think he'll be picked on the wing)

Biggar at Saints seems to have developed/unearthed a huge amount in attack since a new coach took over.

[Buggaluggs]

I think there's more talented 10s available for Wales. But when it's crunch time - Biggar is usually the best bet.

[Sandydragon]

Biggar has become Mr Reliable. Hugely competitive and a good kick chase. Won’t set the world on fire but equally won’t do anything stupid.

If we had a Henson type centre then it could be a dream, but even allowing for Gatlands low risk approach, you never felt that Roberts/ Parkes and JD2 were going to really creat space through any subtlety.

[Wallpaperman]

I think Biggar is the best fit for a pack that is under the cosh. I never think that Wales can’t win, even against New Zealand (I’m bound to be right one day !), and I think that they can be competitive if they pick their strongest front 5. Ireland are also a side in transition so a win is achievable.

I’ll save any forecasts until the teams are named.

[normanski]

Sir Clive writing in the Mail predicts a Wales win.

I don’t usually agree with anything he says but he could be right.

[Numbers]

This is who I'd have as the match day 23:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. AWJ
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Johnny Williams
13. George North
14. Louis Rees-Zammitt
15 Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:

Ryan Elias
Rhys Carre
Dillon Lewis
Cory Hill
Josh Navidi
Gareth Davies
Callum Sheedy
Jonathan Davies

I suspect Biggar will feature at 10 either off the bench or starting but I would like to see the above team personally.

[francoisfou]

The odds may indeed be against you but the 6N needs a resurgent Wales, and if it’s at the expense of those feckers in green then so much the better!!

[Sandydragon]

This is who I'd have as the match day 23:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. AWJ
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Johnny Williams
13. George North
14. Louis Rees-Zammitt
15 Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:

Ryan Elias
Rhys Carre
Dillon Lewis
Cory Hill
Josh Navidi
Gareth Davies
Callum Sheedy
Jonathan Davies

I suspect Biggar will feature at 10 either off the bench or starting but I would like to see the above team personally.

Id agree with this. I may be tempted to swap out Davies for Watkin but I'd like ot take the game ot the Irish and get North over the mainline.

[Son of Mathonwy]

This is who I'd have as the match day 23:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. AWJ
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Johnny Williams
13. George North
14. Louis Rees-Zammitt
15 Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:

Ryan Elias
Rhys Carre
Dillon Lewis
Cory Hill
Josh Navidi
Gareth Davies
Callum Sheedy
Jonathan Davies

I suspect Biggar will feature at 10 either off the bench or starting but I would like to see the above team personally.

Id agree with this. I may be tempted to swap out Davies for Watkin but I'd like ot take the game ot the Irish and get North over the mainline.

I'd switch 9 & 10 with the bench options and have Beard instead of Hill, but I'd be pretty happy to see this team play. Maybe Amos or Watkin instead of JD2...

[Numbers]

This is who I'd have as the match day 23:

1. Wyn Jones
2. Ken Owens
3. Tomas Francis
4. Jake Ball
5. AWJ
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Justin Tipuric
8. Taulupe Faletau
9. Tomos Williams
10. Jarrod Evans
11. Josh Adams
12. Johnny Williams
13. George North
14. Louis Rees-Zammitt
15 Leigh Halfpenny

Bench:

Ryan Elias
Rhys Carre
Dillon Lewis
Cory Hill
Josh Navidi
Gareth Davies
Callum Sheedy
Jonathan Davies

I suspect Biggar will feature at 10 either off the bench or starting but I would like to see the above team personally.

Id agree with this. I may be tempted to swap out Davies for Watkin but I'd like ot take the game ot the Irish and get North over the mainline.

I'd switch 9 & 10 with the bench options and have Beard instead of Hill, but I'd be pretty happy to see this team play. Maybe Amos or Watkin instead of JD2...

I completely forgot about Beard, he'd be knocking on the door of a starting berth with his current form.

[Sandydragon]

Id agree with this. I may be tempted to swap out Davies for Watkin but I'd like ot take the game ot the Irish and get North over the mainline.

I'd switch 9 & 10 with the bench options and have Beard instead of Hill, but I'd be pretty happy to see this team play. Maybe Amos or Watkin instead of JD2...

I completely forgot about Beard, he'd be knocking on the door of a starting berth with his current form.

Depending on the injury status of Ball, I'd almost have Beard ahead of AWJ, although if AWJ is fit then thats a big call to make when we need some good results.

[Numbers]

I'd switch 9 & 10 with the bench options and have Beard instead of Hill, but I'd be pretty happy to see this team play. Maybe Amos or Watkin instead of JD2...

I completely forgot about Beard, he'd be knocking on the door of a starting berth with his current form.

Depending on the injury status of Ball, I'd almost have Beard ahead of AWJ, although if AWJ is fit then thats a big call to make when we need some good results.

Beard's maul defence has been outstanding in recent weeks, he should be in with a shout purely on those grounds.

[Sandydragon]

I completely forgot about Beard, he'd be knocking on the door of a starting berth with his current form.

Depending on the injury status of Ball, I'd almost have Beard ahead of AWJ, although if AWJ is fit then thats a big call to make when we need some good results.

Beard's maul defence has been outstanding in recent weeks, he should be in with a shout purely on those grounds.

Good line out jumper as well which is hardly a point of strength for us (even with a hooker who can throw straight).

[Numbers]

I'm still a bit disappointed that Kieron Williams isn't in the squad as he's been playing very well and getting consitent gainline returns for the Ospreys, something we are crying out for.

[normanski]

In Walesonline there’s a story about two Irish rugby podcasters who say Wales are rubbish and Ireland will annihilate us on Sunday.

Pivac should play the podcast as part of his team talk before the game to get a bit of passion going - something we missed in our play over the last year or so.

[Wallpaperman]

I'm still a bit disappointed that Kieron Williams isn't in the squad as he's been playing very well and getting consitent gainline returns for the Ospreys, something we are crying out for.

I’m sure he will tour in the Summer, provided that there is a tour of course ! Agreed tha he has been playing really well recently, and looks a threat with ball in hand. I think Johnny Williams looks the part, too, although he is playing in a stuttering Scarlets team at present.

Jonathan Davies has been one of the greats for Wales but I would be inclined to pair Williams and Watkin for Sunday.

[Wallpaperman]

In Walesonline there’s a story about two Irish rugby podcasters who say Wales are rubbish and Ireland will annihilate us on Sunday.

Pivac should play the podcast as part of his team talk before the game to get a bit of passion going - something we missed in our play over the last year or so.

Wales Online haven’t done their annual Neil Francis article yet either. He never has anything good to say about Wales. It’s Tony Copsey’s fault.

[Sandydragon]

In Walesonline there’s a story about two Irish rugby podcasters who say Wales are rubbish and Ireland will annihilate us on Sunday.

Pivac should play the podcast as part of his team talk before the game to get a bit of passion going - something we missed in our play over the last year or so.

Wales Online haven’t done their annual Neil Francis article yet either. He never has anything good to say about Wales. It’s Tony Copsey’s fault.

I make a point of watching the video of that punch every time I read anything written by him. Usually makes me feel better.

[normanski]

In Walesonline there’s a story about two Irish rugby podcasters who say Wales are rubbish and Ireland will annihilate us on Sunday.

Pivac should play the podcast as part of his team talk before the game to get a bit of passion going - something we missed in our play over the last year or so.

Wales Online haven’t done their annual Neil Francis article yet either. He never has anything good to say about Wales. It’s Tony Copsey’s fault.

I make a point of watching the video of that punch every time I read anything written by him. Usually makes me feel better.

Send the link.

[whatisthejava]

Biggest issue with players is they are not buying into the Pivac style and they randomly revert back to Gatland style, but that only works with 100% commitment.

I think Wales really needs to get rid of the old guard who really don't want to adapt to the new Pivac style (which isn't great with the current interpretations, but at least its a plan)

For me if Wales finish above 5th its a good 6N

[whatisthejava]

Biggest issue with players is they are not buying into the Pivac style and they randomly revert back to Gatland style, but that only works with 100% commitment.

I think Wales really needs to get rid of the old guard who really don't want to adapt to the new Pivac style (which isn't great with the current interpretations, but at least its a plan)

For me if Wales finish above 5th its a good 6N

Sorry guys, it was always going to happen after 10 years of single style, my gut feel is pivac gets to the summer and then post lions he is replaced with someone else who will get to build at a few old guards retire

[Sandydragon]

Wales Online haven’t done their annual Neil Francis article yet either. He never has anything good to say about Wales. It’s Tony Copsey’s fault.

I make a point of watching the video of that punch every time I read anything written by him. Usually makes me feel better.

Send the link.

Here you go, 30 second in, then you get slo-mo which is strangely even more enjoyable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPzxZC0yG1c