Rob Howley announced his match day 23 for the visit of Ireland to Cardiff on Friday, where the sides will meet at the Principality Stadium in round four of the Six Nations.
Naming the same side that lost to Scotland two weeks ago, Howley has chosen to stick with experience over the opportunity to blood new players.
Though the chance of winning this year’s championship evaporated in the defeat to Scotland, Wales need to continue to compete in order to ensure they do not fall outside of the top eight in the world rankings.
With Rugby World Cup group selection looming, Wales face dropping into the lower tier of countries and risk being included in a pool that features any of the top tier sides of New Zealand, England, Australia or Ireland.
While you might therefore understand Howley’s decision to keep the faith with what is on paper a very experienced side, full of championship winners and British and Irish Lions, fans have voiced their frustrations and concerns in unison online.
so there was no reason not to release some players back to regions last weekend? Disgraceful
— Rhydian Lewis (@Rhydian_Lewis) March 8, 2017
why why why I bet howleys line will be let's give them a chance to putt things rite after 2nd half showing
— Wyn Morgan (@ea56e863816b4f7) March 8, 2017
not a single change, what a fucking shambles! What good will Roberts be in 2019 World Cup?
— Ricky Chambers (@RickShow1) March 8, 2017
Guess that's a loss then!!
— Arnoldbrawnsugar (@taankaar69) March 8, 2017
it just shows we have little strength in depth and howley simple does not trust other players
— Wyn Morgan (@ea56e863816b4f7) March 8, 2017
Thanks for needlessly fucking up the regions last weekend by keeping the non-playing players in the squad.
— Rhys Grant ??? (@Bluebird131999) March 8, 2017
Yet again, we see zero changes! And just shows we have zero ambition.
— Daniel James (@DanielJJames2) March 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/bigdaddySJT/status/839432436652077058
Congratulations to Ireland on the victory.
— Rhys Grant ??? (@Bluebird131999) March 8, 2017
YAWN
— Rich (@iTaff83) March 8, 2017
It’s fair to say that this is a team selection that has failed to either inspire or reassure Wales fans that their side can progress and put themselves in a stronger position ahead of the Rugby World Cup groupings.
As for Ireland, they will know that Wales can never be written off. With a side full of potential game changers, Wales will pose a serious threat to any Irish ambitions for a final day title decider with England, assuming the Red Rose defeat Scotland, of course.
Kick-off at the Principality Stadium on Friday is at 8:05pm.
Gary Brennan, Pundit Arena
On this week’s Oval Office Podcast, Jacques Burger talks about his battle with depression, Benetton Treviso’s Ian McKinley reviews Italy’s performance against England and Daniel Killick of The Attacking Scrum tells us what’s gone wrong with Wales.
https://soundcloud.com/punditarenarugby/we-chat-to-ian-mckinley-jacques-burger-and-daniel-killick-of-the-attacking-scrum
Read More About: fan reaction, ireland rugby, rob howley, Rugby, rugby news, Six Nations, wales rugby, wales team, wales v ireland
