So mate is that your pool pick ireland by 3?
Im saying ireland by 10

And i know i just heard ur jaw hit the floor but let me explain the science behind my pick

Ireland lost to a better team on the day in the WC.
It was not really a case of not showing up more a case of wales doing their homework, and shutting down the ireland attack cold. We had no go forward ball, wales deffence was amazing, they had us worked out from minute 1 to min 80.

Our downfall was not having a plan B. when we could not get anything from the welsh defence all we did was a wile e coyote impersonation of if at first you dont succeed keep trying the same thing over and over and we lost.

a few factors have changed this time around.
1st new attacking coach(s) in ireland. so we should have a plan b, and bloody c like Leinster.
2nd We are hungry to put things right!
3rd wales have a mountain of injuries.

So its not often that my head agrees with my heart but this time i feel it as well as think it.

So my pool pick is Ireland by 10.

It's got be Ireland. Earls to have a big game and score a try!

Yup, I'd have to put money on Ireland as well if I had to.

Ireland's team is experienced, on home soil and fairly settled (aside from the infamous 13 debate). Wales have had a bad run up to the training camp with the player exodus this season, then add in the growing injury list and iffy form in the HC/Pro12.

I think Ireland could run away with it. Or it'd be a comfortable win at least.

I think 2012 could be a 6N to forget for Wales. God that sounds defeatist.

Gecko... i reckon with ur injury list you will start slow.
But it will be a good test of character if that happens to see if they can bounce back.

In the past wales have kind of limped through when the first game went against them. I would like to see them overcome that mental block.

All that said... there is no guarantee that ireland are going to win LOL im just theorising on what might happen should wales lose.

No thats the thing, I agree entirely. Wales do well when they generate momentum, and we struggle badly when we lose alot of players.

Both grandslam 6Ns and the recent WC we were relatively unaffected by injury. I'm just glad we've still got Adam Jones!

Well it goes against me to say this but i really like what wales are doing at the moment. So the best of luck going forward.

Remember i was saying before the WC that i thought they would have a good WC... Well i would be saying the same right now if it were not for the injuries. If priestland is out... it will be the straw that tips the balance of things in our favour. at least thats my thinking

Their is also a major problem for us missing BOD. And i don't mean for his attacking ability or any other part of his game. Its just a mental thing. He really is that important for us. And always when we have been against the ropes it was he who pulled us out of the fire.

But most importantly is his ability to be an openside flanker and pinch ball in the ruck... sounds silly but he does it for us every game. and we will miss that big time!

Wales by 5

Ireland by 8, too strong at home and revenge will be the buzzword.

Going to be tough it will be less than 5 either way i just hope McFadden gets a run at 13 at some point because i genuinely believe this guy is O'Driscoll's natural replacement he's pure class.

Refs calling these scrums too slow for my liking.

How is that not a red card?