14. H Luscome (4) - Proved a few seasons ago that he doesn't have the pace to play on the wing, played some decent rugby for Wales at 13 last season, where was Dafydd James?

13. J Robinson (4) - Classy player at his best but hasn't really recovered from the injury a few seasons back, exposed in defence and found little in attack.

12. J Hook (4) - If Wales were to win then the golden boy had to have a game of games, apart from the odd decent run he didn't fire.

11. C Czekaj (3) - Out of his depth is perhaps a bit harsh but basic defence was lacking and offered little in attack. Might have got a try but thats another story.

10. S Jones (2) - Capitano had his worst game for Wales and I'm including the day when he played at full back against England. Kicks charged down, nothing in attack and managed to make RoG look like Dan Carter.

9. D Peel (7) - Looks back to form after a bad AI series, sniping here there and everywhere and his quick penalties will always cause issues.

8. R Jones (6) - Some dynamic running in the 1st half that made him look like the best 8 in the world by some margin, then vanished in the 2nd half.

7. M Williams (6) - Tackled and supported like he usually does without quite sparking the side into action. Perhaps lacked a more pacey 6 to support him.

6. A Popham (5) - Out of position and didn't let anyone down and put in the usual aggressive performance but the cries for Colin get stronger. I'd personally go for Jonny Thomas.

5. AW Jones (6) - Another mixed bag, in open play had a great game and was everywhere in attack and defence but in the set piece was part of an average scrum and a line out that did not pressure.

4. I Gough (4) - Grafted but didn't carry the ball enough and wasn't there in the 2nd half when we needed him to put in some big hits.

3. C Horsman (5) - Didn't get sin binned I suppose which is a plus, did some decent work around the park but didn't have the impact on the scrum that we'd expect.

2. R Thomas (5) - Line out stuttered, his best work is always his tight carrying which is first rate. We need to keep faith with a hooker as changing every game isn't working. TRT isn't the best hooker in the world but he may be the best we have so stick with him.

1. G Jenkins (5) - Was a guarantee to destroy John Hayes, that didn't happen. Outside of that a good afternoon and his best work was clearing the rucks which more of the forwards should have done.

Subs of note:

Ire Stars:

G D'Arcy - MOTM, back to the form of a few years ago.

D Leamy - Won the battle with Ryan Jones over who is the best 8 in world rugby. 

Overall Comments:

Hmmm, frustrating is the best word to sum yesterdays game up.

We knew we were up against it with the backs we had out, unfortunately none of them put their hands up and took the chance. Then S Jones and Hook were ineffective and we went in at at half time losing when we should have been in front.

Then in the 2nd half out forwards who had been so good in the 1st half disappeared completely, I'm not sure if it was fitness or something else but they badly let us down. They could have won us the game.

The ref didn't help and Ireland should have been penalised off the park for slowing the ball down, but we didn't hit the rucks hard enough or with enough aggression and that made the understrength backs have to work even harder for a break.

Ireland were alright and won't be easy to beat, but at 13/8 favs for the championship I'd have my money on the French.

Next up Scotland who didn't look good against England but Murrayfield is a different kettle of fish, we need to win.

Match Summary:

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