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Wales v Ireland: Everything you need to know

By Russell Greaves

Wales have failed to impress at the Six Nations and Rob Howley’s temporary tenure will be viewed with some derision if a win over Italy transpires to be their only success.

Things will get no easier for the interim coach on Friday when his side host an Ireland team determined to keep alive their hopes of winning the tournament.

Despite criticism from fans over a perceived lack of changes in tactics and personnel, Howley has named the same line-up that suffered a 29-13 loss at Scotland last time out.

They will tackle Ireland under the Principality Stadium roof, with the visitors knowing that a defeat will leave the door open for England to clinch the title with a bonus-point victory when they host Scotland on Saturday.

Ireland are also unchanged, with Joe Schmidt’s men having defeated France 19-9 in their previous outing.

HEAD TO HEAD

Wales: 67

Ireland: 50

Draw: 7

 

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016?

Ireland threw away a 13-point lead as Wales roared back to claim a 16-16 draw in Dublin. In fact, Wales were ahead themselves when Rhys Priestland kicked a 72nd-minute penalty, but Jonathan Sexton responded in kind to level it up in a dramatic finish.

 

KEY PLAYERS

Liam Williams (Wales)

Williams’ value to Wales is evident from his contribution over the first three games, having scored a try in each despite his side being short of their best. His team-mates will look to him for inspiration as Williams seeks to build on his tournament-leading seven clean breaks.

CJ Stander (Ireland)

Ireland have relied almost as heavily on the impressive Stander, who can match Williams’ trio of tries. Factor in the 69 carries – 15 more than anyone else at the tournament – and it is easy to see why Stander is such a talisman for his country.

 

THE LINE-UPS

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (captain), Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip. 

COACH COMMENTS

Rob Howley (Wales): “This is the chance to go out in front of our own supporters and deliver a display which the players are proud of and for the fans to support. It will be a huge game.”

Joe Schmidt (Ireland): “They [Wales] keep that ball and they keep the pressure on because they are very much a gain line team, and it’s very hard to stop them getting that gain line when the big runners get involved.”

OPTA STATS

– Wales beat Ireland when last hosting them in the Six Nations, but have not won consecutive home matches against them in the competition since 1983

– Ireland need 17 points to reach 500 in the Six Nations under coach Joe Schmidt, with this being his 19th championship game at the helm.

– Ireland’s starting XV’s combined total of 715 caps is only one more than Wales’ tally.

– Ireland have slotted their last 16 kicks at goal in the Six Nations with Paddy Jackson making his last 13 in a row, while Johnny Sexton has landed his three attempts off the tee so far.

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A
Adrian 15 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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