Ireland and Wales share mutual admiration and a common goal

THE stakes could scarcely be higher for Ireland and Wales when they meet in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals tomorrow.

Not only do the Celtic rivals have a blend of talent that may dilute with the post-tournament retirement of veteran players, but they have experience of only one World Cup semi-final appearance between them - way back at the inaugural tournament in 1987.

Familiarity between teams can often result in dour tactical wrestles as intimate knowledge of opposition tactics allows sides to comprehensively counter the other’s strengths and smother attacking outlets. But probably not this time. “In the past couple of matches, the Welsh have racked up a huge amount of tries and they’re playing some great rugby,” Ireland winger Tommy Bowe said. “A lot of their individuals are really stepping up. We’ll be expecting them to be playing an exciting and expansive game of rugby. And hopefully the rain will stay off and we can play a bit of rugby also.”

Ireland are arguably the narrow favourites going into the match, having won four of the past six meetings and nine of the last 12. The Irish also beat Tri-Nation champions Australia, hammered Six Nations rivals Italy and topped their first-round group for the first time at a World Cup, scoring 15 tries in the process.

But Wales did win the most recent encounter 19-13 in Cardiff during this year’s Six Nations and, although they lost their World Cup opener to defending champions South Africa, it was only by a single point at 17-16.

The Welsh also eased through to the next round with 23 tries in their favour - a total fewer only than hosts New Zealand and the Wallabies. “They’ve always been known for playing brilliant rugby but there’s a great balance at the moment,” Bowe said. “They’ve got some great young players in the backline, young guys who have come through and are really stepping up to the plate.”

With Wales coach Warren Gatland having been undecided for much of his tenure between the steady hand of Stephen Jones and the head-up playmaking of James Hook, much of that balance comes from the emergence of Rhys Priestland - a player who exhibits hallmarks of each.

“This is not said in a derogatory sense at all, but they became a bit predictable,” Ireland backs coach Alan Gaffney said. “A lot of people were saying ‘it’s an attractive brand of rugby,’ but it was predictable. They’ve changed and full credit to Warren Gatland and Rob Howley and Shaun Edwards. They’ve changed that attack. It’s more potent now than we believe it was.”

Priestland will start at No 10 in a Wales team showing five changes to that which beat Fiji 66-0 in their last match in Pool D. Leigh Halfpenny replaces Lee Byrne at fullback, Jonathan Davies takes over from Scott Williams at outside centre and Shane Williams returns from injury to reclaim his place on the left wing.

Flanker Dan Lydiate has also overcome an injury to take over on the blindside from Ryan Jones, who moves to the bench, while Alun-Wyn Davies rejoins Luke Charteris in the second row, pushing Bradley Davies into the reserves. Hook will be on the bench and veteran kicker Jones misses out entirely.

“I have surprised myself with how relaxed I am and I think that’s a lot to do with the training we’ve had and the fact that we have a lot of confidence in each other,” Priestland said. “Steve was the first one to come up and congratulate me and that does mean a lot. I come from the same region and know him well.

“It must be tough for him, but I am sure if I ask him anything he will be more than happy to help me, so it’s good knowing that.”

Lions winger Shane Williams is one of those players - from each side - who may never play another World Cup match if they end up on the losing side. “If we don’t do well on Saturday, it could be my last game,” the 34-year-old Williams said. “I don’t want to finish playing rugby for Wales. I never want to, but you don’t get many wingers playing after 40 and doing well.”

On the Ireland side, captain Brian O’Driscoll, lock Paul O’Connell and flyhalf Ronan O’Gara are among those who are almost certainly at their last World Cup.

O’Gara will start ahead of Jonathan Sexton in an Ireland line-up unchanged from that which withstood extreme provocation by Italy’s combative forwards in the final Pool C match.

Wales’ 49-6 loss to New Zealand in 1987 remains the only appearance by either side in the last four at a World Cup, with Ireland having fallen four times in the quarter-finals. With England playing France in the other match on their side of the draw, the Celtic teams know there will be a northern hemisphere side in the final and that it could be them. But neither wants to think that far ahead. “A final place? That’s two games away. Why would you even contemplate thinking about a semi-final or a final when you’ve got a quarter-final this weekend?” O’Driscoll said. “No, we’ve got way too much respect for Wales to be looking beyond them.”

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D’Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); R O’Gara (Munster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S O’Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster).

Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), A-W Jones (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: L Burns (Newport Gwent Dragons), P James (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).