Defending champions Ireland take on Wales in Dublin this weekend to kick off their Six Nations campaign. After the disappointment of their World Cup, Ireland will be looking to begin 2016 strongly, while Wales will be hoping for an away win to kickstart their year.
The last time these sides met in Dublin in a World Cup warm-up, Wales came out on top in a 16-10 victory and they will be looking for a repeat performance come Sunday afternoon. The two sides’ last Six Nations meeting in Dublin, however, was a very different affair, with the Irish winning by a comfortable 26-3.
IRELAND
The side named to face Wales this weekend is vastly different to that which suffered at the hands of Argentina in the World Cup quarter finals; only Keith Earls, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Rory Best and Robbie Henshaw keep their places. With Jared Payne, Jonny Sexton, and Andrew Trimble missing either all or part of the World Cup through injury, coach Joe Schmidt has recalled them for their opening match on Sunday, in a side with nine changes from the XV that were knocked out by the Pumas.
There is also a debut for South African born flanker CJ Stander, who qualified for Ireland on residency grounds in November. He makes his debut on the blindside with Tommy O’Donnell at openside after Sean O’Brien was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Stander, who plays for Munster, has made a great impression during his time at the Irish province, and took over the captaincy following Peter O’Mahony’s World Cup injury.
With Keith Earls and Andrew Trimble in the XV, Dave Kearney is unfortunate to miss out on a starting berth, with his brother Rob missing out completely having sat out training on Friday alongside O’Brien.
One to watch: CJ Stander
Sean O’Brien’s boots are big ones to fill, but if the rumours are correct, CJ Stander has all the tools required to step up to the plate in terms of carrying the ball that O’Brien tends to. He has a reputation for “voracious” ball-carrying, with Joe Schmidt describing him as a “really committed character”.
WALES
Despite suffering a large number of injuries to key players both before and during the World Cup, Wales had a good tournament. They have the most settled side in the Championship and will welcome the return of Jonathan Davies who will link up in the centre once again with Jamie Roberts after injury.
With Dan Lydiate recently overcoming a shoulder injury, Warren Gatland has taken the opportunity to play Justin Tipuric at seven alongside Warburton at six, providing Wales with two natural poachers in their back row.
The match will also see the return of Cardiff Blues winger Tom James after a six year, 67 Test exile as he ousts long-standing winger Alex Cuthbert from the starting line up.
Perhaps the most significant selection, however, is that of Scarlets prop Rob Evans ahead of Gethin Jenkins, the 35 year-old, 119 cap legend. Gatland revealed this week that the decision to start Evans was influenced by the appointment oh Jerome Garces to referee the match, who he describes as “tough” at scrum time.
Player to Watch: Rob Evans
Having ousted stalwart Jenkins from the starting line up, Gatland must be impressed by what he has seen from the young Scarlet, who has just three caps for Wales to date. It’s a big call, and harks back to when Gatland dropped Brian O’Driscoll for the third Lions Test in Sydney in 2013. Will Gatland’s decision be vindicated once more?
PREDICTION
Wales are able to be far more consistent in their selection with Ireland having to mix things up a little whilst they are suffering on the injury front. It will be a close match, and whilst home advantage is always invaluable, Wales have more stability and consistency in their squad, with Dan Biggar a great general to pull the strings at fly half. Wales by 5.
By Sophie Freestone (@selfreestone10)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
2 replies on “Six Nations 2016: Ireland vs Wales Prediction”
Tough call this. For many Wale’s are slight favourites going into the tournament. However Ireland are the current holders and will put on a very strong performance at home. Wales had a decent World Cup and are very settled. Ireland had a poorer world cup and will be looking to put things right. I think their squad has weakened a little in the last few years and they could find this a very tough game.
Hopefully going to be a cracker of game, hopefully with a close scoreline. With the Irish crowd behind them I reckon Ireland will definitely bring it down to the wire. This could go either way but for me it’s Wales by 3.
its half time and Wales look like getting on top, i think wales by 5-10pts atm