Rugby World Cup: Celtic cousins relish the fight

Tommy Bowe of Ireland. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Ireland v Wales
Wellington, 6pm Saturday
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Listening to the Irish wax lyrical about Wales yesterday, the Celtic combatants are sounding more like the best of 'frenemies'.

As Wales on a media-free day, we are yet to know whether the admiration is mutual, but there was a lot of amore coming from Ireland.

Leading the charge was strong-running wing Tommy Bowe, but then again, as he plays his club rugby for the Swansea-based Ospreys he probably feels he has no choice.

Bonds formed between the two countries with the start of the Celtic League, a level below the Heineken Cup, and on the Lions tour of 2009.

"It adds a huge amount for me personally," he said of facing a swag of club team-mates. "I always really enjoy coming up against the Welsh fellows that I know very well. It adds an extra bit of spice for me.

"There's great camaraderie between the two nations and I think it's going to be a great little battle."

Bowe, robbed of a couple of tries against Italy in the weekend, was asked to pick his poison. Would he rather mark the strong-running George North, or impish veteran Shane Williams?

"George North has had an outstanding tournament, he's playing very well. Shane, I've had trouble with down the years. He's one of the guys I like to have on my team in the Ospreys, rather than playing against him, so it's much of a muchness."

The Tri-Nations quarter-final between Australia and South Africa is expected to capture the main headlines this week in Wellington, but the Celtic showdown has its own allure.

Both teams are passionately supported and, more importantly, they're both in great form.

Ireland have never been to a World Cup semifinal and Wales have not reached those lofty heights since being destroyed 49-6 by the All Blacks at Ballymore in 1987. Under-achievement has been a constant bedfellow.

"We know how well Wales are playing at the minute," Bowe lilted. "They're definitely one of the form teams in the World Cup at the minute. It's going to be a very difficult match."

Ireland have issues at hooker. The impressive Rory Best left the field against Italy and is unlikely to be available for the quarter-final, putting pressure on back-up Sean Cronin.

Earlier in the tournament, Munster's Jerry Flannery had to leave after tearing a calf muscle, so Ireland's hooking stocks are running dangerously low.

"Obviously it's a different level here at the World Cup, but I've done it before," Cronin said. "It's a massive game and it's very exciting."

With the first fans starting to trickle into a rainy, windswept Wellington, it's time to get the party started.

Italian prop Leonardo Ghiraldini has been suspended for 15 weeks after admitting eye gouging in Sunday's match against Ireland. He was suspended until 17 January.