WALES v IRELAND: BIG MATCH GUIDE
JUSTIN Tipuric doesn’t know which he fears the most, facing an Ireland team gunning for the Six Nations title or having to sing in front of the Wales squad.
For it’s a tradition in the Welsh camp that a player marks his 50th cap by belting out his favourite number, much to the horror of the 27-year-old.
“I’m going to try and run off and not sing, that’s what I’m planning,” quipped the openside flanker.
“I’ve got a dreadful voice and there’s only one song I really know and that’s My Girl by The Temptations.”
“When I was with Trebanos Youth that was the song I had to sing on tour, so unfortunately I’m going to have to sing that once more and go for gold!”
The classic soul song reached No.1 in the US charts in 1961 and Tipuric is aiming to be top of the pops by helping Wales avoid losing three Six Nations matches in the same campaign since Gareth Jenkins’ men flopped in 2007.
Beating the Irish would ensure Wales are among the top eight seeds for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, potentially avoiding being drawn in a group of death.
The Wales management and squad have been on a charm offence during the build-up to Friday night’s clash with Ireland at the Principaltiy Stadium.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona round-ball star Thierry Henry, who sank the hopes of the Republic of Ireland during a World Cup qualifier iwith France in 2009 with a controver- sial handball not spotted by the match officials, watched Rob Howley’s men train earlier this week during a break while attending a Football Association of Wales coaching course.
“The backs had done training before us and there were whispers that Theirry Henry was down there and the boys were like “no way, why would he watch us in the cold and wet?,’” explained Tipuric.
“It was raining and it was horrible conditions, but there he was, zipped up in his coat, cwtched in. It was absolute freezing.
“Rob Evans went up to him and said ‘alright Thierry’ and high-fived him.
“He just enjoyed watching the session. We asked him for kickabout, but he wasn’t keen!”
Ospreys star Tipuric, who like Henry is among the most skilful players in his sport, claimed he hadn’t thought about reaching a half-century of Test caps, particularly with Sam Warburton having been captain during most of those years and blocking his path to the No.7 jersey.
“It’s something I didn’t think I’d get, but it’s crept up and it’s a nice achievement to have,” he said.
“When you start playing you’re happy to get one cap. You just want to keep going and you don’t really think about how many caps you have.
“You just think about the next game
and playing for your country.”
Asked what had been his mantra knowing Warburton, who relinquished the captaincy ahead of this Six Nations, was virtually been assured of a starting place, Tipuric replied: “Never give up.
“That’s the one thing I’ve taken from it. You’ve just got to keep on top of your game. It’s always tough being on the bench.
“It’s a hard thing to do to come off it and try and add something to the game. No player likes being on the bench and you try and do your best for the team.”
Even though Wales have been beaten by England and Scotland this Six Nations, the Warburton-Tipuric combination has blossomed with the former having switched to blindside flanker.
“Sometimes it’s easier to have two guys going in over the ball. It means you have the protection to try and jackal and there are a lot of positives and negatives you can have.
“We just want to help each other as much as possible as a back-row and pack,” said Tipuric.
He revealed his Wales highlight was starring in the record 30-3 mugging of England four years ago to pinch the Six Nations title.
“England were on to win the championship and nearly everybody was saying they were going to do it and we turned them over,” beamed Tipuric.
“That was a game which will live with me forever.”
And he is expecting another ferocious contest against Ireland, saying: “They’re a great team.
“Not many teams beat the All Blacks and they’ve done that. They’re very strong up front and set-piece wise.
“They’ve got a good scrum, a great line-out and they’re very physical around the park.
“We know exactly what type of game it’s going to be. We’re going to be battered and bruised afterwards and that’s what the games against Ireland are like.
“They’re big, heavy and powerful and it’s going to be a tough test. You’ve got to be switched on for everything they do.”