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Hi, I am Shaun Rusk and I will be with you as Ireland take on Wales at Croke Park in Dublin. Meetings between these two teams are usually quite fiesty affairs and I expect Saturday's match to be no different.
Ireland will be looking to keep the pressure on top-of-the-table France, while Wales, under the captancy of Martyn Williams, will be looking to start the match as they have been ending them so far in this Six Nations Championship - and for the full 80 minutes.
And while I remember, Calling UK readers - Want to tell us what you think of ESPN and put yourself in with a chance to win tickets to UK sports events or a 32-inch TV? Well then click here to join the ESPN Fan Forum.
Ireland are a team who really believe in themselves. Their success over the last couple of years internationally and in the European Cup has left the team thinking they now have the skill and experience to dig themselves out of most trouble they find them in - while also capitalising on any opposition mistakes - ask England!
Wales have had that thinking somewhat dented over the last couple of years, but they do still believe that if they get their thinking and game plan right then their skill will see them through.
That magnificent Irish centre, Brain O'Driscoll, reaches his one-hundreth cap and he is still only 30!
In Saturday's Daily Telegraph that terrific writer Brendon Gallagher says it is rare for the Irish nation to idolise only two legs: 'Unreserved adulation in Ireland is normally offered exclusively to their equine nonpareils such as Shergar and Arkle. The former was a creature of wonder when in full flow on flat tracks, dabbing the accelerator as required to rout opponents and cross the line first; the latter was a Celtic warrior and die hard-stayer who blazed into life when the going got tough and the mud and rain sapped the life out of lesser animals.
On the rugby pitch Brian O'Driscoll has been both over the past 11 years in an Ireland shirt. A thing of beauty and a beast of burden. '
I would would never call BOD a 'beast of burden' - well not to his face - but I understand the comment. I reckon O'Driscoll could also have been a world-class openside if he had put his mind to it.
I can't wait for this one to start - it has all the makings of a cracker. Match kicks off at 14.30GMT - see you then with scrum.com
14.00 Actually, Shaun got so excited about the game that he's had to go and sit in a darkened room for a bit, so it's me, Josh Gardner, who'll be keeping you up to date with the action from now on. The BBC coverage has just started with a great montage of Bleddyn Williams, Mike Gibson and now BOD, Princes of the Centre position all three, and you wouldn't bet against the Leinsterman marking his centenary with a big performance today.
14.10 But if BOD is going have a big day today, he'll need to get the better of the man with whom he struck up such a magnificent partnership with in the summer tour to South Africa, Jamie Roberts. The bruising Blues centre has come in for some sensational criticism in the Irish press this week, with former Irish lock Neil Francis describing him as an "average player" who was "lucky to go to South Africa". Strong words for the man who was voted the man of the series, and no doubt Wales will be hoping that Roberts will be using it as motivation today
14.15 The Beeb are doing a great tribute to BOD with everyone from Martin Johnson to Ian McGeechan weighing in on their feelings on a man who's truly one of the greatest players of the modern era. What are your favourite O'Driscoll moments? Send your thoughts in, and remember you can Tweet us too, if you like.
Graham Jenkins is at Croke Park today, a venue where Ireland have yet to beat Wales you may be interested in knowing, and as you'd expect things are warming up: "Atmosphere building nicely at Croker - quite a breeze blowing in over Hill 16 but not likely to come into play." The kickoff has been delayed by 10 minutes by the by, so you'll have to put up with my 'witty' banter for a few more minutes I'm afraid.
14.25 Warren Gatland was just quizzed by Sonja McLaughlin about the Irish press labeling him as a 'menopausal warthog' this week. He said he was retaining a sense of humour about it and wasn't bothered, but you get the sense that he thinks they've gone a bit far...
Graham Jenkins notes; "No hint of emotion from BOD - just a steely gaze - he means business" - I think he's right y'know...
14.30 Wales are led out by captain-for-the-day Martyn Williams, the Irish still absent. Keith Wood just observed that there's a rather calm atmosphere about the crowd and the players today, and I think he's right. Both teams know that winning the Championship is unlikely, so let's hope with no pressure comes an expansive game.
14.32 Brian O'Driscoll comes out of the tunnel on his own, the rest of the team hanging back to allow him to soak up the rapturous applause from the packed Croke Park, the crowd is full of green flags, and it's truly a great occasion for the 100-cap man. Next up it's the anthems.
14.35 Wales captain Martyn Williams is besting Colin Charvis' record as his country's most capped forward today, but he needs a big game today - he's been taking some flak for his performances of late, and if he doesn't make an impact, he could find himself usurped by promising young flanker Sam Warburton for the Italy game.
14.38 All three anthems were belted out with great gusto by the supporters, there seems to be a decent Welsh contingent in today, should make for a great atmosphere. It's become a bugbear of mine, but honestly, what is the BBC's obsession with running a mic along the team lineup as the anthems are sung? Everyone who's every played rugby, or even been in a rugby club on karaoke night, knows full well the singing abilities of your average back-rower. My ears. That said, Ronan O'Gara does have a moderately acceptable voice. Who knew?
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Well here we go then - are Wales going to bother playing in this half, or should they just trot back to the changing rooms now and spare themselves the misery? Well, we're about to find out. Criag Joubert signals, and Stephen Jones gets us underway. Both teams keeping it infield early doors, Stephen Jones kicks over and it's gathered by Earls who is bundled into touch outside the Irish 22, but the Irish lineout makes a massive statement of intent by pinching the throw
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Ireland get a three on two inside the 22 and Earls sucks in the man before offloading to Wallace, who breaks up into the Welsh half thanks to a missed tackle from Martyn Williams. They try to recycle, but Wales infringe and it's a kickable penalty for Sexton.
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Oh dear, oh dear, that was a big early mistake from the young Leinster fly-half. He pulls it to the left from as in front of the posts as you can get.
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Wales looking stertched here, they're missing tackles and Sexton nearly frees D'Arcy from the drop-out with a lovely offload in the tackle, but he knocks on and Wales get the turnover.
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By my count Wales have missed two tackles already so far, Ireland only missed two all game last week...
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| 6 |
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Wales have the first scrum of the day and it's solid for the visitors, Byrne puts a nice kick through that goes into touch inside the Irish 22.
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The Irish look like they're jumping against tackle dummies at the lineout - they're a different class. They clear and Shane Williams sends a ropey pass to Halfpenny that's in no man's land. He just get's it and Ireland are pinged for going in at the side.
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Lee Byrne actually makes his kick to touch, more than he managed against France, and they even secure the lineout. Stephen Jones tries to break through but he's marshalled about 7 metres out, and Ireland are penalised.
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| 9 |
0 - 3 |
Stephen Jones makes no mistake with the simple kick from just to the left of the posts and gives the visitors the lead.
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Hook fields the restart well, and Rees then box kicks to Murphy. He has all the time in the world but he puts it out on the full. The lineout is back to the bad for Walesh thoug as the Irish pick off another Matt Rees throw.
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Wales might be really struggling at the lineout, but so far they're playing much more sensibly. Jamie Roberts breaks through the line just inside the Irish half and D'Arcy is penalised for going in off his feet. Sloppy.
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| 12 |
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This is a big kick from out wide for Jones, but he's going to try it.
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| 13 |
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His attempt has the legs, but just flashes across the posts and is wide.
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| 14 |
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Wales aren't doing anything spectacular, but they're still asking questions of the Ireland defence - they've hardly had the ball and have allowed Wales to settle into the game.
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| 15 |
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Halfpenny knocks on with numbers out wide and it's an Irish scrum on halfway, Paul James is penalised for going straight down and Sexton brings play up to the Welsh 22.
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| 16 |
3 - 3 |
Ireland go long and secure it, they're putting it through the phases but not going anywhere, but then Jon Thomas goes in off his feet for no real reason and concedes a silly penalty in front of the posts.
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He'd probably have been shot if he had missed from there, so it's a good job he makes no mistake from his second attempt. All square.
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| 18 |
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Sloppy restart from Ireland as they let it bounce inside the 22 and they nearly lose possession, but they just gather and O'Leary clears to touch.
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| 19 |
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Charteris takes at the front and Roberts batters over the gain line. Shane Willams sends a grubber through and Murphy can gather. Ireland start to put it through the phases and Earls nearly breaks through but it snagged by Martyn Williams on halfway.
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| 20 |
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There's some ping-pong between Shane Williams and Murphy, but the Irishman's second kick is out on the full and it's a Wales scrum on halfway, which they lose, of course.
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| 21 |
6 - 3 |
Tommy Bowe was nearly in there, he takes an inside ball from Sexton, and is running in masses of clear space, but he's just snagged on the 22 by Shane Williams, who forces the turnover. But we'll go back for a penalty about 15 metres back out wide. Not sure what it's for, probably obsruction, as Craig Joubert is having a word with Martyn Williams.
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D'Arcy is down and it looks like he's going off.
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| 23 |
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No mistake from Sexton, who seems to have found his kicking boots.
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| 24 |
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Roberts does a great job of securing the restart and Lee Byrne is nearly through, he's turned though, and is then penalised and bizarrely, yellow carded for killing the ball. That's very harsh from Joubert. He was in the Irish 22 and he wasn't really stopping an attack.
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Ireland are peppering the Wales backline now and they look vulnerable and in disarray.
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| 26 |
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Clinical try from Ireland. Shane Williams lets Sexton's kick through bounce and the fly-half gathers, he's penalised for going in off his feet and it's taken wuickly, Earls takes the ball in midfield and blasts through a disorganised defensive line to score just to the left of the posts.
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| 27 |
11 - 3 |
Oh dear, maybe I lied about Sexton's kicking boots. He's somehow shanked that from the easiest of kicks. Graham Jenkins writes - "The famous Croker roar - if the atmosphere is like this every week what are they moving?!"
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| 28 |
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Wales have been very competative at the restart but look very shaky under the high ball without Lee Byrne. Richie Rees and Halfpenny collide, but it's off an Irishman to touch. Let off there.
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| 29 |
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The Welsh lineout is perhaps the worst it has been for some years now - a complete shambles. They just about secure the ball, only to be penalised for truck and trailer at the maul, giving the Irish another lineout at the 22.
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| 30 |
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Once again, Wales' inability to defend with 14 has killed them, solid Irish lineout and O'Connell offloads to the O'Leary in the tackle, and it's a simple run-in. Not sure where Richie Rees was there, he should have had that covered.
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| 31 |
16 - 3 |
Another shank from Sexton, who fades it out to the right, that could come back to haunt them, although it's hard to see how with the way Wales are playing all of a sudden.
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| 32 |
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Kearney is nearly away on the right hand side, Shane Williams just gets there, and O'Leary is penalised for sealing off at the ruck.
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| 33 |
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I don't know why Wales are bothering to kick to touch now, they're all over the place, and the ball to Delve is overthrown.
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| 34 |
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BOD kicks long to Hook and the centre lets it bounce, he's in big trouble here, but O'Driscoll is penalised for not letting the tackler get back on to his feet, and Wales are beck to 15.
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| 35 |
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Wales are being patient with the buildup now and they're up to the 22. Some soft hands from Matt Rees and Jon Thomas sees them up to the five metre line
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| 36 |
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Shane Williams' lovely inside pass sees Jamie Roberts burst through and be pulled up just inches short. Wales go backward in the tackle, but Earls is penalised for offside and Jones will kick the points.
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| 37 |
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No mistake from the veteran fly half in front of the posts.
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| 38 |
16 - 6 |
An athletic take from the restart by Charteris, who uses every one of his 6 foot 9 frame to secure the restart. Rees clears to touch.
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| 39 |
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What's this, a Wales turnover at the lineout? That's not right surely!? Wales clear long.
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| 40 |
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Oh that was so nearly a third try for Ireland, Earls controls O'Driscoll's poor pass on his feet, much to everyone's surprise, and he chips over the top. It takes a wicked bounce away from the covering Delve inside the 22 and Earls and Kearney are there to hack on, but it just dribbles into touch to end the half.
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Well it's a familiar story for Wales, they've found themselves with a mountain to climb after the first half, but this time because of indiscipline. It's been eerily similar to the England game, Ireland had nothing until Lee Byrne's silly, fruitless yellow card, but scored two tries in the 10-minute sin bin period. The lineout too, is an unmitigated disaster for Wales, they've lost nearly half of their own throws. Ireland on the other hand, probably can't believe their luck, they've done nothing this half and been on top in nowhere but the lineout, and they've still got a 10-point lead. It's comeback time again for Wales, and on the plus side, they've only got 10 points to recover, it's all to play for.
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| 40 |
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The teams are back out and it's almost time for Wales to start playing, by my watch. We'll see, Sexton gets us back underway and it's a scrappy one, knocked on by Ireland. Jamie Roberts is really answering his critics today, he's broken a few tackles almost every time he's got the ball.
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| 41 |
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Nervy start from both sides as there's a bit of ping-pong kicking with Kearney and Byrne both waiting for someone to make a mistake.
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| 42 |
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Murphy calls the mark from Byrne's kick and it's cleared to touch, Wales start the lineout better this half and Roberts batters past his Lions partner O'Driscoll up to the 22.
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| 43 |
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Wales have penalty advantage but they keep it in hand, slowly gaining ground, until Hook gets himself into trouble, and it looks like he's been turned. It's advantage over, but Joubert says it's a Welsh scrum, not sure what he's thinking there.
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| 45 |
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Wales have the scrum five metres out, but can they do anything with it? Yes, real solid scrum and Rees scoots round the outside, it's kept tight until Ireland look to have won a turnover, but it's ruled to have been done illegally.
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| 46 |
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Wales opt for another scrum, it looked very strong last time, but they need to get something out of this attack.
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| 47 |
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Ireland are penalised for taking it down, and it's another scrum. Wales looking for a penalty try here. Joubert is saying that he knows his cadence is slow, but they still have to listen to him. The next scrum looks to be the Irish getting the upper hand there, but it's reset.
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| 48 |
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That's massive from Ireland, the Welsh scrum collapses and Heaslip secures it and Sexton clears long. That's a spirt sapping moment for the Welsh.
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| 49 |
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Soft penalty from Byrne, he takes the ball into touch inside his own 22, and then throws it away, he's penalised and Sexton can get the first points of the half.
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| 50 |
19 - 6 |
No mistake and Sexton increases the Irish lead to 13. There seems to be a palpable deflation of the Wales team now.
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| 51 |
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Solid restart from Wales and Ireland are penalised for being offside at the ruck. It's a tough kick from out wide on the right for Jones, so he'll kick to touch. Risky.
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| 53 |
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Ireland don't contest the lineout, no idea why, Roberts powers into the Irish line and he's on his own, but Ireland fall foul of the South African's interpretations of not releasing the tackler. Joubert is having a strong word with Wallace and O'Driscoll, kickable penalty for Jones now.
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| 54 |
19 - 9 |
Simple from Jones and Wales are back within 10. They've had all the possession, but don't seem to be able to unlock this Irish defence.
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| 55 |
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Lee Byrne looks uncomfortable, shanking a clearance into touch short. He's also played very poorly at times today. Could he be coming off soon?
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| 56 |
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Sexton's cross kick causes momentary panic among Byrne and Williams, as Bowe looks to challenge, but it bounces and Williams clears.
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| 57 |
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Slight overlap out on the right hand touchline and Byrne commits his man and unleashes Halfpenny up the touchline, he's stopped inside the 22, and Wales recycle. They get in a good position again, but Charteris is pinged for going in off his feet - it's just not happening for Wales today.
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| 58 |
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Bradley Davies is going off, he's had a superb game in the loose I must say, been a real ball carrying threat whenever he's got it. Ian Gough replaces him.
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| 59 |
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Solid Irish lineout just outside the 22, O'Leary spots the gap and bursts through the Welsh defence, Earls is up in support, and that could well be the game, he's tackled over the line on the right touchline, fabulous, clinical score for the Irish.
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| 60 |
24 - 9 |
Sexton's been awful today, and this touchline conversion isn't an easy ask, and it's no surprise that he's missed it. Ireland have been average today, but they've been so, so clinical. Every single chance they've had, they've turned into a try.
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| 61 |
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James Hook, who has been totally anonymous today, tries to ghost through outside the 22, Ireland give away the penalty and Jones will look to chip away at the Irish lead. The Irish are willfully infringing now, Joubert's patience must surely be running out given his harsh binning of Byrne earlier.
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| 63 |
24 - 12 |
No mistake from Jones, and Wales are in double figures. Lee Byrne is going off, as we suspected, and Hook will go to full back. Andrew BIshop is at 13.
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| 64 |
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Ireland are offside and Peel takes a quick penalty on halfway - not sure why, there was nothing on there.
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| 65 |
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Wales patiently putting it through the phases, trying to creep into the Irish half, but it's pretty ponderous and a Shane Williams offload goes off a red hand into touch.
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| 66 |
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I shant tell you what scrum.com's Huw Baines has just described Wales' performance as, but it was none to complimentary, he's right - for some reason they seem to have forgotten the way they've played in the second half, though that Irish defence is really smothering them.
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| 67 |
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Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe are competing for a high ball, and somehow the little Welsh wizard comes up with it. Wales still having all of the possession, but for naught, as Hook knocks on in the tackle.
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| 68 |
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Shane Williams takes another high ball, and Kearney looks to snag him, he chips through to O'Leary, who kicks it out on the full. That's a pretty good summary of this game...
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| 69 |
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Boom. Jamie Roberts looks to power up the inside touchline, but BOD stands him up with a monstrous hit. Great stuff from the captain there. Joubert pings Ireland for being offside again and now he's told the Irish that he wont stand for them trying to cynically stop Wales playing.
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| 70 |
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Lineout outside the 22 for Wales and Huw Bennet makes a better job of the lineouts that Matt Rees was managing, throwing to Thomas.
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| 71 |
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Dwayne Peel's distribution has been shocking since he came on, throwing it at Stephen Jones' head on three occasions now, not what Wales need and not what you expect from a man with his experience.
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| 72 |
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Ireland have a scrum in their own 22 and they're obviously wasting time, hats off to Craig Joubert for not standing for it, and hats off for him penalisting John Hayse for turning in - a lot of refs would have given that the other way.
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| 73 |
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Wales secure the lineout and look to suck the forwards in, but they're ponderous and Delve gets isolated and once again get penalised in the Irish 22 - there's been no composure from the Welsh pack today, the Irish have just had to compete at the breakdown and they've hardly struggled.
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| 74 |
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John Hayes goes off, and as Graham Jenkins notes - "Huge reception for Hayes - the Croke Park faithful certainly love The Bull"
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| 75 |
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Sorry if it sounds like there's not much going on, but it's a bit lifeless now. Ireland are just letting Wales make the mistakes and then pushing them back and back.
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| 76 |
27 - 12 |
Ireland fancy a foray into the Welsh half, and sure enough, points are forthcoming. Wallace breaks through and offlaods to O'Connell, the Welsh defence is solid, so Sexton gets back in the pocket and strokes a drop goal over. That's the game there, three tries are needed now.
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| 77 |
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I don't wish to speak too soon, but there's no miracle comeback for Welsh fans to enjoy this week, a decent first 20 minutes has given way to a poor second half where they've looked devoid of inspiration or consitency
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| 78 |
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Ireland have a lineout in their 22, and they get it and slowly maul forward, it's a Munster finish here.
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| 79 |
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Or not, it's box kicked by Reddan and Shane Williams gathers, then loses it. Ireland ship it wide, and Kearney is in space, but Roberts absolutely smashes him, and gets the ball back. Wales will have one last shot.
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| 80 |
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A fitting end to a truly pathetic performance from Wales - Hook looks to pass it out wide, but it goes straight out of touch to end the game.
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Well, Ireland are on course for the Triple Crown, but truth told it was a rather unispiring game. Ireland play a risk free, clinical brand of rugby, and so it was today. They defended very well, spoiled the ball at the breakdown and were incredibly impressive with the clinical way they took all their opportunities - they reminded me of South Africa today, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. That said, Craig Joubert was incredibly lenient with them - they were allowed to infringe and infringe at the breakdown without getting a man sent to the bin.Wales fans may feel aggreived that the costly binning of Lee Byrne was for cynical cheating defending in the Irish 22, but Ireland repeatedly infringed while Wales were on the attack for nothing.
But ultimately it hardly mattered - Wales never looked like scoring today, and in many ways this was a much more dispiriting loss than any of the others this year - there was no entertainment to be had. Indeed, it brought back memories of Wales' dismal Autumn campaign and adds credence to the belief held by some that the current Wales team can't strike the balance between conservatism and endeavour, it's all or nothing, and speaking as a thoroughjly depressed Welshman, I think I'd prefer the latter after that.
Thanks for joining me today, and be sure to stick around for the fantastic Calcutta Cup encounter between Scotland and England at Murrayfield, which kicks off in about half an hour.
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