02/10/2011 Scrum V

The rugby World Cup. Everything to play for. The pressure is on. After

four weeks only eight teams remain. Wales book their quarter-final date

with a win over Fiji in Warren Gatland's home town. Now it is all

about Ireland, O'Driscoll, O'Connell. O'Gara. There's going to

be some excitement, being in a quarter-final of the World Cup

stage but Gatland will do a good job of keeping our feet on the

ground. Good evening. Welcome to the Scrum V Rugby World Cup special.

Coming up, the final word on Wales'' sizzling win over Fiji.

Thanks, jet Wales are in the quarter-finals. Tonight, we look

ahead to the Ireland game which has been described as epic, utterly

epic. First, a few thoughts from a Scrum V per favourite. All right,

Scrum V? Nice to see a. It is good to be back. Congratulations to

Wales. I did not think they would make it to the quarter-finals or

further but they are looking very smart at the moment and iron super

impressed. I have to say the little thing about the joke Ron Scrum V,

dimension if was null and void if Dan Carter was out. I'm feeling

nervous. Joining us on the sofa tonight. Jonathan Davies. Tom

Welcome to Scrum V. Welcome to Scrum V. Paul Wallace, ladies and

gentlemen, here he is. So, here we are, Paul, the stage is set. It was

always going to be a quarter-final, wasn't it? Yes, a lot of talk about

it already. Two sides who are probably the form sides from the

northern hemisphere and we have shown that we can match with the

Tri-Nations sides as well and for once I think both sides are going

into quarter-finals with a realistic chance of getting to a

final. Tom, Can you believe this was dubbed the Pool of Death?

and not as good as they were four years ago. I would say that.

Looking back, you look at the Six Nations and how Wales played last

year or this year and it was totally different, are totally

different side. It is crazy what confidence and momentum does to a

team because they look totally different, brilliant performance

today. Lynn, 23 tries so far. What do you think of this team that

Warren Gatland has moulded and assembled? It is fantastic, it has

really grown and if it carries on as it is at the moment it could be

the best team we have had for 58 years since we beat the All Blacks

in 1953. We need to keep the momentum, we are growing, we're

getting better, confidence is there and we have had fantastic

performances. Everybody is delighted to get up in the morning

out. The best team in 60 odd years? If they get to the World Cup final,

it will be a great achievement and I don't see why they shouldn't. Was

there the Irish saying they can get there, the French and English

thinking they can get there, they're not the playing very well,

there are confident sides, everyone is free of injury nous so selection

will be a problem. Why not? It has been a very successful pool stage

Forres and in a way the South African is out, we showed a lot of

potential and maybe we lacked the confidence to turn South Africa

Rover so if we meet them again, no worries at all. There is bedded

talk about. More in a moment. Gareth Lewis has been talking to

Really contented. I thought in difficult conditions watching on

the TV, even watching from the stand, could not underestimate the

conditions, wet, slippery ball. We showed a lot of composure in

tackling and defence. The players can be really happy with the result

as well as the performance. After last year we have had -- we have

been close to good performances and we have had a short distance to the

team clicking. Things are starting to happen for Rose and the fifty-

fifty is going our way. You need luck but at the same time last two

games we might have overplayed, handling errors, trying too hard,

so a few creases we need to iron out but it is not too bad. We spoke

about it before the game. Warren had spoken to some and a couple of

backs saying if we are in a situation we want to go through

some situations, if we are up in the game and a drop goal situation

is mentioned and a yellow card, if that does, hopefully it won't in

terms of our discipline in the next game but if it does come to

fruition it would be good to defend 14 men or go for a drop goal

situation, that is what we implemented in the last eight

minutes. Warren is a tough -- Ireland has a tough challenge. They

have great players. They have the one big performance in the man with

the quality they have got, the British Lions, they could do it

again. We have to make sure we are really switched on for that game.

Some people might say we have achieved something getting to a

quarter-final, coming up out of the Pool of Death but I know we have a

very ambitious quality group of players and I suppose ultimately it

comes down to their performance next week. So that is the verdict

from Sam Warburton and Rob Howley. We are in the quarter-finals. This

was supposed to be the group of death. Wales have galloped out of

it alive and kicking. Let's look at The set piece was very strong. 112

tackles, a professional commitment in both tackling and defence and

look at that, no points against. There are two players I would like

to draw your attention to. Outstanding performers, George

North and Jamie Roberts. 14 defenders beaten in four game spy

George, tremendous. Without him we would not be a successful. Jenny

Roberts, 27 carries, thundering at the opposition time and time again.

We must not forget he took every squad member -- each and every

Terrific statistics. A Wales team for confident. A yes, massively.

George North, unbelievable today. He has got better and better. It is

interesting, it seems to me that Rhys Priestland is bringing out the

best in Jamie because he seems to be hitting great angles of him,

going through the game, every opportunity. He has really captured

his form from 2009. We have Gethin Jenkins coming back. He texted me

after the game saying he has blown out of his backside after 20

minutes and did he seek -- and denies the his kick? As for the one

before but two kicks this game, a try from 40 metres out, he is

pushing for 15, I think. What do you think about Rhys Priestland at

ten? He has done really well. He plays very flat, he has got great

awareness and it was lovely to see Jamie Robert Hirst offloading in

the tackle because he is not only a battering ram. George North

bringing him down the middle, a great weapon for us. I'm sure Ronan

O'Gara will be watching videos of them over the next couple of days.

One statistic not picked up was tying opponents in 22. Wales were

six minutes, Fiji were 11. If you put Ireland, they will come away

with points and so will the other sides. That is a worry. Gatland

mentioned it, that the clearing out of rucks, that was a week this

today as well. When you play against Fiji it is not a problem.

When you play against Ireland with their back row it is a problem

because they have to tackle the contact area and it will be more

aggressive or the turnovers will hinder us. Can I ask you what the

coach, you heard Rob Howley saying about the decision to play with 14

men in the last ten minutes. Tom has talked about a confident the

team are. You get the feeling they are supremely confident and they

have an unbelievable trust amongst each other. Confidence is fantastic.

There is a thin line between complacency and providence and

historically we have come complacent. I don't think this

group will become complacent. Confidence is growing, it is

infectious. I have played with 14 in the last five or ten minutes,

there is no issue, it is a sensible thing to do a bit tests everybody,

puts extra pressure Ron. -- it puts extra pressure on. It is a good

idea. Let's get an Irish man's view. We are going at the moment. What do

you think? Very nervous until Ireland performance after Wales

with regards to the best attacking team I have seen outside the

obvious candidates of New Zealand and South Africa, probably. One

thing I have been very impressed is the Lions running and support play.

Everyone is on the shoulder, there is that telepathy you get, normally

after playing for a few seasons together but this is pretty much a

new bunch of players and very impressive. One thing I would say,

they did open up a lot of doglegs especially in the second half

against Fiji at Fiji handled the ball a bit better, they could have

been more damage. Also if the game is a bit tighter than it is going

to be a different test -- another different test. It is not going to

be a free flowing try first. They will come out a small, little

things aren't the breakdown will be a massive area. There was another

significant moment. Ryan Jones tried to put the ball out of play,

they took the line-out, Jonathan Davies had the option to take it

into touch, he kept going and got it into the try. That is the

confident. I was screaming at them to kick it out because I don't want

to the injuries. We have seen how other nations have lost key players

and I was worried someone would get injured in the last ten or 20

seconds when it wasn't needed. They played, they kept hold of the ball

and scored a try. That has been Wales all the way through.

penalty count, four penalties conceded in South Africa, 14

against Samoa, ten against Namibia, 16 against Fiji. You do that

against Ireland, they will punish you. Yes, that is going to happen.

I don't know what the reasons were forehead but Ireland has a

different game now. They have to prepare for it differently. If you

look at their front row they have strengthened a lot with Healey at

the back five is exceptional with Ireland, but I think if we can use

on midfield to go over the gain- line, they will be trying to close

us down and if they're on the back foot with their back-row it will

not be as efficient. It is one of these things, you look at every

game and you analyse way were weekend you have to work on that.

You have to work on your weaknesses and work on your strengths as well.

I think their selection will be key for the Irish game. We will talk

about selection later. Warren Gatland described his team as

ruthless. That perhaps has been missing over the last two or three

years, especially against Africa? Yes, when there is a fifty-fifty

chance Wales took them today and supporting lines, everyone is

chasing the ball, because they know there is a try in the offing. As I

said, it is growing, it is getting better and to become the best in

the world you have to be ruthless in every department, no prisoners.

One key especially a Wales's performance, it has been. You can't

forget how important line-out and scrum-half. They have got it right

in the World Cup and it is a platform to attack. Once you get

over the gain-line, in previous seasons Anneline has been a

shambles and because of that we have been playing off the back foot

and we looked ponderous and no tempo in the game. Now we have the

basics right that is why we can compete with any side in the world.

The young players have brought exuberance. Yes, there is. If there

is 20 seconds left and you have to keep the ball in play, but is easy

when it is 59-nil. Youth play without any fear. They don't

respect anything. They are having a go. A contemporary player, they

have lots to offer, so often in the past we have been guilty of going

over the top with experience, give the young boys a chance and this is

what Gatland has done, he has been fantastic in his selection and it

has paid dividends. -- dividends. You get experience by playing. This

is the World Cup, I don't think we can think that way because the

players who were playing exceptionally well at the moment

are there because they are having a run of games. We come from a

different school, we wanted to play every week that the training is

different. When I was playing well I wanted to play every week.

Because I felt confident and I would try things. I did not want to

rest. Now, Warburton has been injured in the past but he is

playing and getting used to situations, George North looks

indestructible. People are bouncing off him. Jamie is playing with a

lot of confidence, a little tweak on his shoulder, he would

One person who has been key at set pieces is Luke Charteris.

Unbelievable. It shows you are a run of games will do. He has been

outstanding, phenomenal in the air, and Wales have liked this in the

past, its solid line-up form. have to be like that against

Ireland with their set roads. have you got tonight? A man who

knows exactly what it is like to play against Fiji in the World Cup.

Alex, do you think the ghosts of 2007 were laid to rest today?

think they were, the boys played well and got the result they wanted.

It has been building up over four weeks and each performance had been

very good. Thank God they did the result today in style. What is your

take on the impact being youngsters have had? Great players have come

in. Georgian North is playing very well, Jamie Roberts is back to his

form of 2009 -- George North. Rhys Priestland is controlling the game

well and putting the players and the team on the front foot and

playing on the right area -- in the right area of the ground. How much

of an achievement has it been? great, four physical teams and they

have used the squad very well and players have come in and out. They

are performing very well. Frankie. Plenty more still -- thank

you. Plenty more to come, we look ahead to Ireland.

How will it go? I Ireland are going to kick... Sorry! I think it will

be a very, very hard game and I think we could be back down to the

old traditional one kick separating us. Back to the Rugby World Cup in

a moment after we round up the latest action.

There was a new face on parade for the Dragons, South Africa own

player -- the South African pair showed blistering pace. -- player.

It was a well deserved went. Riley en for his second try of the

home side who took an early lead. Barry Davies rounded off the

counter attack to score a first try after six minutes.

The visitors had several chances to draw level and captain Gavin Duffy

squeezed over for the first of his two tries. Man of the Match Dan

bigger set up the second try with this high free-kick. A lucky bounce

off the shoulder of the skipper sent it over the line. Connaught

could only finish with a losing bonus point.

The Scarlets went on the back of a three-match losing streak to

Treviso and fell behind at half- time. The Scarlets stuck back

straight after the break, a good angle from the fly-half Aled Thomas

and Williams crossed to bring the score level. But it was another

Williams Treviso flyer he settled the match. -- who settled. He gave

the Italians a second successive victory.

It was the battle of the Blues at Cardiff City Stadium and the home

team looked to end their run of two defeat. But Glasgow's struck first.

Colin Grega scampering over for the first try, as Man of the Match.

Sweeney set up the centre to but a home side ahead for the first time

in the match. -- to put the home side ahead for the only time in the

match. The visitors were in control and they secured a bonus point win

to secure their second win the season. The Ospreys are the only

unbeaten side with five out of five. The Dragons move above the

The moment we have been waiting for, it is the thunder from Down Under!

We have all heard the news about Stan Carter, how are people taking

it? -- Dan Carter. Of very well, it is going really good, thanks!

Everybody is feeling great! Is it true there have been used flashes

in the middle of programmes about the state of the injury of Dan

Carter? Every ambulance and the country has been mobilised! People

are heading to hospital, at some have gathered at Clive's to throw

themselves off at midday, the country is in disarray -- at

clifftops. I am here to calm things in tough times. It is a massive

blow for the prospects of New Zealand winning the World Cup.

the prospects of New Zealand making Wednesday, I do not know if you

have to understanding of the gravity of this. Room as art Tony

would cut is not feeling great Ivor -- the rumours are that Tony

Woodcock is not feeling great Ivor. Is it is not very good to get one

on the nose. It was a small car collision last night. A Canadian

leading with a Ferrie bomb Pat! the big result at the weekend was

Tonga beating France can make you must be pleased. I am happy with my

Pacific island cousins. I like the way they operate, they leave the

party now but, wait, who is this? They stride over to the French,

grab them and smack them up over the knows. And Tonga lead the party.

Brilliant! Fantastic as ever! Let's continue the discussion about

Dan Carter. I remember being at the Millennium Stadium in 2007 went he

went -- when he went off and look McAllister came on, the energy went

out of the New Zealand players -- De Luca palace stuff. Brilliant,

he's not the captain but he steered the ship and without him, they are

not half the team. South Africa I think can now make the final

against Wales. They will miss him that much. This new guy coming in,

has not played much rugby and is not on the level of Dan Carter.

and Garrard rumours about Richie McCaw also. -- and thereof. He is

the leader and the captain and such a -- and such an influence on the

game. But New Zealand have an army of new players coming through.

Dan Carter makes them tick. He is a great player and it will be sad not

to see him on the world stage because she want the best players

and it would be a shame not to participate. -- you want. Ever

since the last World Cup, they have talked about him getting injured

and now they know he is injured and out, they have to react. They will

have to gel together and say, we are still favourites. And they have

enough players. If they react positively... I think it is an easy

position coaching the All Blacks, you have the best players in the

world, allegedly, so they should be winning everything. Now we will see

how good the coaching staff are when you have to pick up the side

and put in somebody very inexperienced. I have not heard of

the replacement, so he is not experienced a. It will either work

one way, they were just giving it up are they will just gel and go

for it. It could be a big psychological blow. Everybody is

talking about Nick Evans, he was the ideal man. And from well before

the tournament, we said what about the chances of stopping the All

Blacks? Injury is the key. The two key players have gone up. He is a

great attacking player but if he comes into a claustrophobic game

where the South Africans are on top, they will struggle. Smith will have

to play a big part because he is the brains in the back line. They

now become human beings instead of super! And nobody expects them to

win now so they will be dangerous. They have two good ball players.

How Enry has described Dan Carter as the navigator. You need another.

England, controversy is false -- controversy is following them, if

you do you have any sympathy? - do you have. Such it is Ireland

against Wales and this is the preview. -- so it is.

He would have thought it will come to this, we go 12,000 miles to

fight our neighbours? It is just five months since this took place

in their! Wales have scored!

To be fair, it could be said we owe them one!

With one of his own! Here he goes, Ronan O'Gara, he has

done it! To get deeper analysis, and need to

talk to a man who has been in the next. Through the internet, I will

talk to the man, the myth, the more let!

Wales, Ireland, he would you pick? I think it is still up in the air

and I am just weary of the fact because of what we did too

Australia. You owe us one, we did a number on new. Will that come into

play? Is there any handover? Would you like to hang on to that

resentment from the try that should not have been a try in Cardiff?

Only in the sense that you use it as a positive, as a motivational

think. There is not any be gradually. The teams are so evenly

matched that the game could go either way. The quarter-final could

be like that. Be have an incredible pack and always have had. O'Brien,

Wales are emerging with a back row, how impressed have you been with

the likes of Sam Warburton and younger Toby Faletau? Where did

Toby Faletau come from? He has been brilliant. Tonga, we do not like to

talk about it! He has a great attitude. It is just really direct

rugby. The way I have always described the attitude of Sean

O'Brien is that he ignores the first haggle and wants to get past

it and that guy is doing it also. It is belonged time we said a game

between Ireland and Wales will be decided by the back row. I have to

come to your area of expertise, the front row. I can say this because I

am 200 miles safely away from you, you have been getting away with

murder in the front row for a decade! How dare you? Can Wales

target you upfront? Ireland only has one strong scrum. If Mike Ross

got injured, where do you go? prediction and the score? How will

it go? Ireland will kick the... Sorry! Somebody is ringing me with

the results! I think it will be a very, very hard game and I think we

could be back down to the old traditional one kick separating us

and probably last minute and Ronan O'Gara at just after coming off the

bench will try to get the kicking goals and waiting for that, and you

will be waiting to chase him down. I can see it's now! -- I can see

it's now! Whichever way it goes, there will be a big party, one

there? As always, with the Welsh, absolutely!

What a guy! Now with his luck had Iron going to try to second-guess

Warren Gatland's selection. It is not about dropping people. To

secure a probably the most important result in Welsh rugby

history. Let's look at the back Byrne is not back to where he was.

I think Halfpenny will make it. Williams will be in if he is fit. I

think Hook may coming because of his wonderful skills when he has

got ball in hand. They will be watching Robert sand North.

Stopping them will be stopping Wales. If Hook was there he can

create trouble for the Irish. I believe Stephen Jones will be taken

into consideration. An outstanding experienced ten having played

against Ireland on many occasions. They will have to happen -- it will

have to happen up front. These guys have to do their job. Almost picks

itself. I feel Lydiard may come into the line up because he is

excellent in the tackle area. Faletau, 47 carries, 46 tackles,

not one missed tackle. Superb statistic. It is in that area that

this game will be won and lost, given that the front five create a

platform for both respective sides. Six outstanding players, that is

where it will happen, in the breakdown and carrying the ball.

Let's look at combine statistics. The Irish line-out has always been

strong, we know that. Wales not far away. Ireland missed tackles, North

and Roberts take note. An outstanding statistic to take note

of. We have had 19 turnovers to their 14. We have dealt with the

physicality of the Springboks and Samoa. We have no reason to fear

the Irish. We can go out there and Did you hear that? We can go out

You can be beaten. The Aussies said that as well! Nice. Look, for the

last few years there has been nothing between those sides. Wales

have had the better for coming in to the tournament, also the early

stages. Ireland are really only just getting themselves going. We

have a couple of things up our sleeves. We have to choke tackle

which could well -- work well against Wales, very upright runners.

Two or three guys running and hold up. It stops the offloading. If

Wales don't get the offloads going the game will stall, it will become

stop-start and Ireland can dominate, they are more physical back row,

Ferris has been exceptional. He has hit O'Brien as well, with the

yardage he's gets. It gets us on the front foot. One issue about the

Irish side is our attacking combinations and Bowe has come in,

you talk about the try that should not have been a try against Wales

for Ireland last season, but it was Caplin, twice today Tommy Bowe...

Is at an issue in Ireland? No, it isn't, today, two tries. One was a

penalty try and a first-half try. He was rubbish! He is well off our

Christmas card list. Let's talk about a battle of the back row. It

is an impressive Irish back row. That Welsh back row, especially if

Dan Lydiate is fit and comes back is the match? It is a match, it is

going to be a huge contest. I don't know, I can't see which way it is

going to go. You have a little bit more experience and there is is a

world class rugby player and Edu have established world class rugby

players in this side -- Ferris. The choked tackle, one things Wales

have done and addressed from four years ago, that is how high they

play the game and with Wales when they are carrying the ball into

contact they do get low and underneath tackles, they do get

week shoulders and they get that so over there and they have taken it

on board and everybody is playing that could height and technically

Wales are very good. What do you think of the selection, James Hook

if he is fit and outside Centre? think you have to rotate the

centres, enough footballers to play not out, left and right, I would

pick James Hook if he is fit. I would pick Rhys Priestland up ten.

He has played well, bringing boys into play. If we use George North

and Jamie Roberts it is very difficult with the choked tackle

because if we had a dummy run as it is two or three making the tackle,

if you have dummy run as it takes the defenders away and it is

difficult to make the choked tackle and if they focus on going down the

middle and going on those two, you need the passing ability of James

Cook to release Shane and Halfpenny. Also a bald the three quarter

finals New Zealand are going to be -- beat Argentina, the other three,

whoever plays best on the day. That is how close the three are. They

haven't got a spare system number seven. Since Wallace' brother got

injured they haven't got a number seven. If we play wits with those

two players, Warburton has a massive match advantage. They are

world-class players but it is a specialist seven you need if you go

wide. What do you make of the selection? I would not played James

pork, 13. He hasn't played 13 all through the world cup -- Hook. I

would play him at 15. I was fifty- fifty over Scott Williams and

Jonathan Davies, I would go with Jonathan Davies because Irish backs

are very Dade -- dangerous. 13 is a difficult position to defend. You

need the best defenders on the pitch. Scott has been a little bit

untested, playing Namibia. started singing the praises of Rhys

Priestland. What happens then? It is a difficult balancing act, does

he go with experience of the young double stock I don't think he can

drop Rhys Priestland. No way. has come under pressure, new to

international rugby as well. He takes the right options. But put

Stephen Jones on the bench because he is very important as well and if

things do start to go wrong maybe bring Stephen on to control the

game. What is the coach's perspective of youthful exuberance

against experienced against Ireland? This is where Gatland is

going to earn his money. It is what he gets paid for. It is very

personal selection. They will put a plan together and they will fit a

team around it. There is a debate, do you go for Priestland, who has

played well so far, or Stephen Jones who has experience, who has

played Ireland a million times and knows how to manage game. I'm on

offensive. Get off it! Either way. Go on! Say it. No. Stephen Jones.

I'm a big fan a Stephen and always have been. He's a great player,

steady, you know way well with him. For this match I would tend to go

there. Thank you. The problem is at the moment all the Welsh players

seem to be playing well so Gatland doesn't know his best team and it

is a good problem to have. Who do you pick? So many different

combinations you can pick. If you getting dog fight with Ireland I

fancy them. I fancy Ireland in a dog fight because if you get -- if

you look at the old Magners League and the Heineken Cup and Munster

and Leinster, they seem to know how to close the game off. It is a

little bit wider round we bring our runners in, the young kids, I feel

that we could get away from them. Thank you very much. Time to catch

up with Eddie Butler and the latest It is Saturday morning and we are

Devonport is very quaint, it is full of cafes and delis and cafes

and Delhi's. This is where we are going, Mount Victoria. It is a

volcanic dome. It is steep. This is called the disappearing done, so-

called because after it was fired sank on a bed of compressed air to

be reloaded. In fact it was only ever fired once in 1899 and it

broke every pane of glass in the area! 13 turns, 80 inch calibre, it

I was going to do this from the top of Mount Victoria and beautiful

spring sunshine. It's freezing today. Yesterday Samoa played South

Africa on and off shore. It was a fantastic game and it showed that

some hour in every year there World Cup would have been good enough to

beat Wales, I think, but Wales have been playing so well at this World

Cup that far from being the Paul de at the death they are going to go

through and they have yet to play Fiji relatively comfortably. The

other great issue of the week has been Jonny Wilkinson and the balls.

You've got to laugh, haven't you? Only England keep on slipping on

these banana-skin, the most professional outfit in the world

keeps on hurting themselves to stop off course the two were the guys,

they took the rap. They would never Well, that was excellent against

Fiji. Here we are, in the last-day tend not so long ago that was

almost as far as we expected to go, but he we are. People out here Iraq

dipping as the Grand things. Just a cautionary note. England today have

been fending off questions about more scandal, more Mike Tindall,

more on the three boys back in the hotel. They have had the balls

disaster with Jonny Wilkinson. Everything England do has been

dogged with misfortune but they're in the last eight as well. Wales

today are saying we don't drink at all. By think we ought to be

careful about how pay as we get because we are Rome want -- we are

only one buggy ride away from falling off the wagon. I started

this with the big guns and disappearing, so we've got to be

careful but fingers crossed this is looking very, very good. From the

Let's stay in New Zealand and get Justin Marshall's thoughts on rugby

-- on Wales Rugby World Cup campaign so far. Wales have been

very efficient, very effective in what they are doing, completely

assured. When you think about the way they have progressed and the

way they have implemented the game plan, the game plan is different.

It surprised me. I didn't think they had it in them but they have.

They're not persisting with the same attack. They have a variation,

ball runners causing aggravation for every team they come again

stand more importantly they are really good at breakdowns as well.

You have to say something about the defence as well. Something is

working there very effectively. They are looking very good. I must

say I am surprised. I did not think they would be this good and they

have come through this Paul was considered T's. Players that had

impressed you? I have impressed by -- I have been impressed by North,

he is a book with the ball in hand. He is scoring and creating tries.

Roberts in fine form. Priestland for me, he -- I was so pitch --

suspicious about whether he had the goods. The way he is implementing

the game-plan, directing the team around the field, he is doing that

very well and that is helping Wales, they are assured and know what

they're doing and combine it with the raw talent of somebody like

Warburton who has been immense as a captain, they are looking good at

powerful up front, a well balanced side at the moment. Justin Marshall

there. We're down to the last eight This is how the quarter-finals look.

They have met twice in the Pool stages, Wales winning in 1987,

Ireland in 19 native -- 1995 and they meet again in Wellington on

Saturday. England take on France in Auckland. On Sunday, South Africa

take on the 1999 winners Australia It has been a dramatic change from

Declan Kidney's performance and now look at them. They are happy camp I

think. They have relaxed once they got down to New Zealand, they have

confidence and players like O'Driscoll don't want to peak. It

is not the warm-up games. They concluded on and Ireland seem to

have done that, against Australia it may be worked in our favour that

we mugged them on the day. Hopefully you were doing the same

here in Wales and you were in good form and it is helping you think it

might be an easier game against Ireland. I think Ireland are going

in the right direction, the fact they are supplying quick ruck ball

and the backs are beginning to click and run-off shoulders. I

think Ireland have a slight favourite. Let's get your

predictions. Wales win. It is going to be a positive camp, it is a

positive camp. There is momentum and it is key. It is going to be

tough. One or two points in it. I think Wales are in a good position.

They're tight. It is all on the day. They will be scratching the bookies

and the best side on the day will go through. Now it is down to

selection and motivating the players to believe that they can

win this, not just going to the final, believe and motivate them

that they will go all the way. one to win it. I have put a bet on

it. It is a tough call, really close. Sam Warburton man of the

match and Wales to win. Please join me in thanking Jonathan Davies,

Gwyn Jones, Paul Wallace and Tom Shanklin will stop that is it from