Recap: Ireland vs Wales LIVE | Guinness Six Nations
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between Ireland and Wales at Aviva Stadium.
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
Hers are some key talking points heading into the match in Dublin.
Wales one win away from new Six Nations record
Wales are unbeaten in the tournament since Ireland defeated them in Dublin two years ago. Following that 37-27 loss, Wales have embarked on a run of eight successive Six Nations wins, equalling their best run in the competition that was set between 2007 and 2009.
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Nick Tompkins can’t wait to start for Wales against Ireland
It comes following a 14-match sequence undefeated in all competitions under former head coach Warren Gatland, which briefly elevated them to number one in the world last year. Wales, unquestionably, have a winning habit.
Are Ireland’s players still affected by a Cardiff calamity last season?
It was all on the line for Wales in March last year, facing Ireland at the Principality Stadium with a Six Nations title and Grand Slam hovering tantalisingly close. Most pundits struggled to call it beforehand, but Wales never looked back once centre Hadleigh Parkes scored an early try, while Gareth Anscombe kicked 20 points in a 25-7 victory.
It was comfortably more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests, as Ireland delivered one of their worst displays under Joe Schmidt. They were outclassed in every department, and Wales will hope the nightmare still lingers.
Your teams for Saturday's clash at the Aviva Stadium. #SixNations2020 #Ireland #Wales pic.twitter.com/rbkevRozti
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 6, 2020
Nick Tompkins – the centre of attention
Saracens centre Tompkins has been promoted for his first Test start following a memorable try-scoring contribution off the bench in a 42-0 drubbing of Italy last weekend.
He looked at ease in the international environment, but this weekend will be a considerable step up as he opposes a highly-experienced Ireland midfield pairing in Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki. If he goes well on Saturday, then Wales head coach Wayne Pivac really has unearthed a gem.
New Wales boss Wayne Pivac is braced for “a massive step up” in next Saturday’s Six Nations showdown against Ireland following their comfortable victory over Italy. #SixNations https://t.co/cKovRh78oj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 2, 2020
Ireland hold the upper hand in Dublin
The opening round of this season’s Six Nations showed exactly how tough it is to win away in the tournament, with England, Scotland and Italy all going down to defeats on their travels.
Wales have found it tough going at the Aviva Stadium during recent seasons, suffering Six Nations losses either side of a draw in 2016.
Apart from a World Cup warm-up victory there the previous summer, Wales have not triumphed on Irish soil since 2012, which underlines how big a task they face this weekend.
It's been all sweetness and light heading into this round two encounter in Dublin https://t.co/AKTg7YkbWO
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2020
Perfect 10s – Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar
If anyone doubted the influence of Ireland captain Sexton and Wales talisman Biggar on their teams, then look no further than last Saturday’s opening round of action.
Sexton scored all 19 points in his team’s victory over Scotland, while Biggar performed superbly against Ireland, highlighted by him flicking an audacious pass between his legs for wing Josh Adams’ second try.
They have 169 caps between them for their countries and amassed a combined total of more than 1,200 Test points. Both nations would be lost without them, such is their enduring quality and match-winning ability.
WATCH: The Rugby Pod previews the second round fixtures in the Guinness Six Nations
Comments on RugbyPass
A potential 5th star for Leinster and redemption adter losing 2 tight finals against La Rochelle against Toulouse and the chance for Jacques Nienaber to have some success without Rassie Erasmus running the show.
4 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and welcome back 😁 Vulavalu does look better this year, and about time. I suspect Schmidt will knock the hubris out of him. That one handed put down was so embarrassing. Mind you, I had thought Kiss would deal with that. Leaving aside the different games and skills, in NRL he had a very good (but no bullshit) type of coach in Bellamy, something he hasn't had in Union until this year. Bellamy would have roasted him unmercifully for an unprofessional put down.
24 Go to commentsYou’d think the first step would be taking responsibility for the stupid sh*t you did and to stop blaming other people. Does he seriously think that people believe him when he says it just magically got into his system without him knowing anything about it? You’re gonna notice if you’re on the juice, bruh.
2 Go to commentsI watch the Reds now, and many of their players, and think back to watching London Irish in their last two years under Michael Kiss. I recall Nick Phipps looking a very competent scrumhalf, Rob Simmons a lynch pin in the lineouts. Both men writen off by many on the rugby sites. There is no question in my mind that Kiss has a very different touch to any coach the Reds have had in years. It will take time, but this team could develop into a very good team, hard to beat by any one down here in the SH. You highlight two players especially, Nick. Vunivalu and Paisami are thriving this year, especially the latter. And so many others. The now heavier Fraser McReight, his great mate Harry Wilson, and the “Fardy” man, Liam Wright. That is only three, ut in reality every player is acroos the whole squad is the better for the new regime.
24 Go to commentsRecord Score Downloading…………..
1 Go to commentsWonderful insightful interview with Crusader Johnny McNicoll. He was exceptional in the wins over the Chiefs and Rebels and I am sure he will get a contract again for 2025. He was an excitement machine for Canterbury and the Crusaders in 2011-16 and he still is. He has added to the attack particularly. Had a fine career with Wales in the intervening years.
1 Go to commentsAmazing what decent coaching can do! I always felt Folau never improved much as a player and never had a great coach using his talents. Suli seems different at qld this year.
24 Go to commentsI’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
24 Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
4 Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
2 Go to comments« I am preparing myself for much more, something much bigger. I’m focussing on the next cycle, » You don’t say…
2 Go to commentsGeez plenty of time to come right before test season starts. Dont panic mr Mannering!!!!!
1 Go to commentsGreat read Nick. The Reds really have been great to watch this year, and the improvement of not only the players you mention, but the squad in general has been obvious. The Reds 10/12 play making axis is a nice counterpoint to the 10/15 partnership at the Brumbies and Rebels. If Schmidt was to pick say, Lolesio, Paisami and Wright / Kellaway, would this be too many play makers? I notice in a lot of those clips Tim Ryan playing across the field in support of Vunivalu. Is this a feature of Kiss’s structure?
24 Go to commentsSo sad, god rest him. Too young to be gone. RIP
2 Go to commentsRIP big man 🙏
2 Go to commentsThe GB coach. “Just because we don’t get together as much as other teams we don’t use that as an excuse for performances when we don’t hit the mark”. Why mention it at all then?
1 Go to commentsNo mention of the yellow card for Harlequins which really cost them.
4 Go to commentsThought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
24 Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
3 Go to commentsInstead of apologising, try to act like an adult, fcknut.
4 Go to comments