Men from the valleys prepare to ascend

RUGBY QUARTER-FINALS IRELAND v WALES:WITH WARREN Gatland yet to lob in any grenades, the mutual respect between the Welsh and Irish players – fostered by them back-boning the Lions tour two years ago – appears to remain intact.

Both camps also share an acute sense of excitement about this fixture, the biggest winner-takes-all meeting in living memory, given that when the sides completed their respective Slams in 2006 and 2009, only the winners were going for the ultimate prize.

While Wales beat Ireland in the inaugural World Cup here in Wellington, they went on to reach the semi-finals and, after being thrashed by the hosts, clinched third place by beating Australia.

But that was merely a pool match, with the Cup yet to obtain the lustre it has now, and likewise so was their meeting at Ellis Park in 1995 when Eddie Halvey briefly appeared as a blood bin replacement to score the winning try. That sealed Ireland’s qualification for the knockout stages, and eliminated Wales, who have not reached the semi-finals since 1987.

“It is special, simple as that, because of the excitement, the occasion and what it means,” said Stephen Jones yesterday. “It is the quarter-final of the World Cup. We play against their players in our domestic campaign, and internationally quite a bit, and we know their players well, but this is going to be a special game – a one-off, winner takes all.”

On the suggestion that whoever wins this quarter-final could well lift the World Cup, the Wales kicking coach and record points-scorer Neil Jenkins echoed these sentiments. “It’s a huge game for us on Saturday. With Ireland, we play them year in and year out and we know it’s going to be a very tough game. They are a very tough side, a very physical side and Saturday is going to be a very big game that could go either way. If you win on Saturday, you’re in with a shot.”

Regarding the traditional rivalry between these two Celtic rugby nations, Jenkins commented: “Over the last couple of years they’ve been pretty nip and tuck. Since Gats (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) came in we’ve managed to win two and they’ve won two.

“We managed to win the Grand Slam (at the Six Nations) in the first year, they beat us in the second year, so it’s been a good rivalry, really. We all seem to get on pretty well, especially on the Lions tours. They are a good bunch of boys and a very talented bunch of boys, as well. It’s just another great challenge for us this Saturday, and one we’re looking forward to.”

Wales traditionally lurch from supreme self-belief and harmony to despair, and very often feuding, but right now they are very much in the former category after a run of five wins in their last six, the only defeat being, literally, by a kick of the ball against South Africa.

With the emergence of Rhys Priestland at outhalf, they have tempered some of their running game with a more balanced and, it seems, more successful approach, but the emphasis on flair remains.

“You see a couple of articles that say we’ve changed the way that we’re playing,” said Jenkins. “We’ve always tried to play a nice, entertaining style of rugby, but it’s all about winning in the end. So it’s all about getting that right balance and, touch wood, we seem to be doing that.”

The mix of experience and youth is a potent one, and Jones sounds energised by the emergence of George North, the remarkable Sam Warburton and co. “I think with the younger players they are more fearless. They back themselves, and that is what our guys have done. They have a high rugby ability and they’ve gone out there and enjoyed throwing the ball around. They have been top-drawer.

“A mixture is key,” he added, in the way Wales’ game has evolved in the last year and a half or so. “What we can’t become is predictable in our attack, we have to have variety. I am confident the game plan we have gives us that. What is important is we implement that and try to manipulate defences so we can play a great style of rugby. We need to go out and express ourselves. There is good belief. We need to be brave and play with a lot of excitement.”

Specifically regarding the dynamic George North, long highlighted as a star in the making off the Welsh conveyor belt, “George is a great person, such a likeable guy. He’s a good professional who works very hard on his game. He is ambitious, and I can’t speak highly enough of the guy. He is top drawer, and he deserves all the credit he gets as far as I am concerned.”

Ireland v Wales: How the frontrows match up

Ireland

Rory Best is in the form of his career and his potential absence on Saturday would be a major blow to Ireland. He is noted for his powerful work in the scrum and the amount of graft he’s got through in the loose during the tournament has been particularly eye-catching while Ireland’s lineout has purred. Cian Healy has been superb in the scrum so far, not just managing but excelling in tough challenges and still finding time to contribute significantly both in carrying ball and defending. He faces another doughty opponent in Adam Jones. Mike Ross has anchored the Ireland scrum and he must prepare for two different styles, the smaller Paul James or the more orthodox Gethin Jenkins. Not only has the frontrow given Ireland a platform and won penalties in the tight but they have been conspicuous in all facets of play; something they’ll need to do again.

Wales

Coach Warren Gatland must decide between Lions prop Gethin Jenkins or Paul James for the starting role at loosehead prop. Jenkins' first competitive match after nine months was a run-on role as a replacement in the pool match against Samoa. James started that game and also the opening match against South Africa. Jenkins is the better athlete, more mobile and has try-scoring form against Ireland while James offers more earthy qualities. Huw Bennett has made the hooking role his own in the absence of Matthew Rees. Adam Jones excels in the primary functions especially locking out the scrum and he summed up the weekend battle succinctly: "I think it'll be a Six Nations dogfight played in New Zealand. They are going to come at us like they went at Australia, and we will have to match what they bring." - JOHN O'SULLIVAN