Five major talking points ahead of Wales' Six Nations clash with Ireland
Wales and Ireland will conclude the opening weekend of this season’s Guinness Six Nations when they clash in Cardiff on Sunday.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the main talking points heading into the game.
Wales back home – but not as they know it
Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will be used on Sunday for the first time as a rugby venue since Wales lost to France there almost 12 months ago. It then became Dragon’s Heart Hospital, treating coronavirus patients, before it was decommissioned. Wales played all six of their 2020 autumn internationals at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, but they now head home, albeit behind closed doors and to a back-drop of more than 70,000 empty seats. Wales have produced some inspired performances over the years in front of their adoring fans, yet that wall of sound will now effectively be replaced by an atmosphere-free zone.
North star ready to shine
At the age of 28, wing George North is just two games away from collecting 100 caps for Wales. He has been a regular fixture since bursting on to the Test match stage with a two-try debut against South Africa in 2010. But it has not always been plain-sailing and North lost his Test place earlier this season following a difficult start to the campaign. He has rediscovered blistering form at the Ospreys under their new head coach Toby Booth, which was highlighted by a strong showing at outside centre against Italy in December, and he starts again in the number 13 shirt on Sunday. A big performance awaits.
Plenty of pressure in coaches’ corner
It is fair to say that 2020 was not a vintage year for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac or his Ireland counterpart Andy Farrell. Pivac succeeded his fellow New Zealander Warren Gatland, but he oversaw only three wins – against Italy twice and Georgia – from 10 starts. And although Farrell’s team claimed more victories than Pivac as he took the reins from Joe Schmidt, there were two comprehensive defeats against England and a 35-27 Six Nations loss to France. Ireland beat Wales twice last year, and they are chasing a fifth successive victory in the fixture this weekend, but pressure is intense in both camps.
Dan’s the man again
Ospreys flanker Dan Lydiate will win his 65th cap on Sunday – more than two years and 29 Wales Tests after the 64th. Lydiate, Six Nations player of the tournament when Wales were crowned Grand Slam champions in 2012, was a mainstay of the team for a lengthy period during Gatland’s coaching tenure. He turned 33 just before Christmas, but Lydiate’s outstanding Ospreys form has warranted a recall, and he now teams up again with fellow back-row warriors Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. Some have criticised the selection, yet it could prove a masterstroke by Pivac.
Wales have missed this guy ??? @dan_lydiate. Great call from coaching set up to add some needed physicality to the Wales team. Like it or not – more often than not the most physical team wins! @TimesSport ? https://t.co/mLQScpJw61
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) January 31, 2021
Ireland in charge
There is no doubt that Ireland have had an edge over Wales in recent times, losing only four of the last 13 meetings. They will arrive in the Welsh capital this weekend in pursuit of a fifth successive win, although their last Six Nations away victory over Wales came seven years ago. The two most recent encounters – both in Dublin last year – saw dominant Irish teams prevail 24-14 and 32-9, so Farrell’s men should not lack confidence for a game that is pivotal in terms of either side challenging tournament title favourites England and France.
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments