Wales do their homework to deal with Irish threats

Wales have done their homework on the Republic of Ireland and will be ready for whatever is thrown at them at the Cardiff City Stadium.

That, according to their manager Rhian Wilkinson, includes Megan Campbell's famous throw-in.

It's hardly a secret weapon; a few of Campbell's catapults has gone viral over the years, most recently the enormous delivery she unloaded against England at Aviva Stadium last April.

Campbell missed the Euro 2025 play-off semi-final games against Georgia but she's back for this two-legged final, and is likely to play some part, particularly if Eileen Gleeson goes to Plan B in search of a goal.

Everyone has a plan until they get sucker-punched by a Campbell throw, but Wales are as ready as they can be.

"It's definitely a threat," Wilkinson said of Campbell. "I think it went quite viral. It's a pretty impressive throw. I tried to boot it that far the other day and hurt my hip flexor!

"She's definitely got a threat - every player has skills and something that makes them special. She's a good player and she's also got this throw that we're ready for. We've played teams with long throws before. Iceland as well has a couple of players that can throw it like that. We're aware. We've done our homework.

"The team is ready, we've watched the Georgia game, all the other games we've watched. They're a good team. They've worked hard to make themselves adaptable. It's been fun preparing for them."

Previously Wilkinson descirbed Ireland as being "absolutely beatable", which is fair enough considering Wales comfortably turned over the Girls in Green in a friendly last February.

However that was an Irish side without Denise O'Sullivan and trying out a formation we have not seen since. Eileen Gleeson is confident they'll be a different animal this time, though Wilkinson insists she's not wasting any energy on trying to second-guess how the visitors will approach tomorrow's first leg.

"I don't sleep well already as a head coach. If I try to think through every possible tactical variation, it would be even worse," she said.

"There is what Ireland is going to do and that’s what they are going to do. We’re going to be ready for whatever. We’ve had a qualifying campaign that has thrown quite a lot of us, including teams who sit incredibly low or who are comfortable on counter-attacks and transition moments."

Wilkinson was accompanied by her captain Angharad James-Turner for pre-match media duties. O'Sullivan played a part in convincing James-Turner to join North Carolina Courage three years ago. Now at Seattle Reign, James-Taylor was fulsome in her praise of the Corkwoman's character and capabilities.

"Denise was someone who, when I first went to America, really helped me along my journey," she said.

"She put her arm around me and ensured I felt welcomed me within the group. She wasn't the leader at North Carolina then but is now. I see why she’s got that armband because she’s a great person and human being.

"As a footballer too, she’s grown over the last few years. She’s a very important player, one we’re prepared for.

"I played alongside her so I’d like to think I know her as a player and also as a person. I know how much this will means for her too and we’re ready to face."