IRELAND face Wales this Saturday morning in what is possibly the most important game in the history of Irish rugby. That may sound like an over statement of events, but this game on Saturday is a watershed moment for Irish rugby, indeed, Irish sport.
The Ireland rugby team have been blighted by inconsistency for years. Forever, some might say.
One only has to look at the Six Nations every year to see that Ireland cannot win five games in a row too often. It seems the higher the challenge, the bigger the effort from Ireland. This weekend’s quarter final is going to be as close a game as you are going to see. The sides are ridiculously similar in their styles of play. The Irish and the Welsh are the form sides in this tournament and one of them is going to be going home this Saturday before noon. The time is now for a big performance against an equal side.
Wales have a clean bill of health ahead of the game. Former Ireland coach Warren Gatland has a full 30 man panel to pick from for this weekend’s clash. Declan Kidney on the other hand has an injury worry at hooker.
Rory Best will face a late fitness test this week to make the starting 15 after suffering a shoulder injury against Italy. It goes to show how far Ireland and Best have come in this tournament that the potential loss of Best is seen as a blow to Ireland. This time last year it would have been seen as bonus if Best was out, such was he lack of form and accuracy at line out time. However, like all good Kidney coached sides, Ireland (with Best included) are coming to the boil just at the right time.
This weekend’s game is going to be epic. There is no two ways about it. Both sides will try and get go forward ball from their backrows. Heaslip, Ferris and O’Brien will be clashing with Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau in what will be a match within a match.
The set piece is where it is all going to happen though. If Cian Healy can perform to his best ability and forget the hype surrounding him, then Ireland will have an advantage. With Cronin in for Best, the scrummaging side of the front row will not be weakened. The question will then be asked of the Monaleen man’s throws into the lineout. If Ireland can break even at scrums and lineouts then the game is theirs.
With O’Driscoll, Bowe and Earls all looking better with each game, Ireland might just have an advantage out wide.
The key to this weekend’s game comes down, once more, to one man. Ronan O’Gara. The Cork native is picked at 10 to make sure the game plan is implemented. If Ireland get penalties, O’Gara will kick them. The main reason he is picked though is to make sure than the Welsh back three of North, Williams and Hook do not get a chance to counter attack. That is Wales’ most dangerous weapon. The men from the valleys have that much over Ireland it must be said. If an off loading, free running, Welsh team turn up, then Ireland will be put to the pin of their collars.
With a game as tight as this, the winning and losing of the tie will come from something small. We all know that a drop goal won us the Grand Slam against the Welsh, so it could come down to that again. This is a young Welsh side and if the Irish can get any kind of a lead, I feel they could just hold on. The scene is set for a mammoth clash. The scene is set once more too for the match winning O’Gara.
The bookies have Ireland at minus two points. It could be even closer than that.
Verdict from this hack? Ireland to reach their first ever World Cup semi final.
Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls, Ronan O’Gara, Conor Murray; Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mike Ross, Rory Best, Cian Healy. Reserves: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble.
