Declan Kidney has wisely named the same starting side that beat Italy last week, the main talking point in this would be the availability of injured hooker Rory Best.
Now if you had watched Ireland’s displays running into the WRC, you would have been forgiven for wondering why there so much consideration is been given to a player who clearly wasn’t on form.
But like most Irish players as the tournament has been going on they have on a whole been getting better and better, to the point that Rory Beat was seen as an integral part of a dominating pack in the last few games.
Now it’s true to say in comparison to most sides Ireland has had a bloody good run so far on the injury front, all except that is at hooker with Jerry Flannery already flow home after just 2 weeks. News has it that rory AC joint is responding well but to get it to the point of playing a vital international might seem a bridge too far, we’ll watch this space.
In the terms of the WRC, I have to say that it is a pity that the Welsh and the Irish had to meet at this stage in the knockouts. To me they are two of the top form sides at the moment and a battle between them should have at least deserved an semi final stage.
There is one thing for sure, if both teams have their way and the ref or the elements don’t have too much of an effect on proceedings, it should be one hell of a game!
Wales, with their youth and skill will want to run the hell out of the ball, attacking Irelands outside channels, a place they haven’t been tested yet in NZ. Ireland on the other hand, while also playing exciting rugby, will be much more clinical, taking the points as they come from the boot of ROG and with him pushing the team in to the corners.
To me there are going to be massive battles everywhere on Saturday but I’m going to do the obvious and pick the backrow where the battle will be lost or won. With Warburton’s charges going up against the beef of the Irish trio. It will be an epic encounter and you will have to watch closely to see who blinks first!!
I feel it’s going to be another game between these side that only a kick will grab it but I have to say I think Irelands experience will come out on top…hopefully!
Shane
