Ireland will be looking to kick-off their assault on the Six Nations championship with a win over a much depleted Wales lineup at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland v Wales
Six Nations
Saturday 5 February
The Aviva Stadium
16:15
To Win Match
Ireland 1/8 | Draw 33/1 | Wales 11/2
Handicap
Ireland (-14.5) 9/10 | Wales (+14.5) 9/10
Andy Farrell’s men are on an eight-match winning run following some fantastic recent performances, particularly a 29-20 win over the All Blacks in November. Along with France, many are expecting the Irish to be the frontrunners for this season’s title and getting off to a good start here is a non-negotiable — particularly since they face the French in Paris in round two.
The form of Ireland’s provinces this season, particularly Leinster, will give the side a massive boost as they aim to do better than their third-place finish last year. Skipper Johnny Sexton has found some exceptional form of late and his influence on the team will be as crucial as always — especially coming up against opposite number and new Wales captain Dan Biggar.
Irish writer Garry Doyle recently put into perspective just how much talent Wales are missing, when he highlighted the fact that the Dragons will be missing over 680 of the 1000 caps they had on the pitch in the final game of last season’s championship at the Aviva on Saturday.
The list includes Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens, Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau, George North, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Lydiate. The last time Wales played a Six Nations match without either AWJ or Owens in the squad was against Italy in the fifth round of the 2010 edition. Just let that one sink in.
Verdict: Ireland (-14.5) 9/10
It’s really difficult to see this one going the way of the visitors. Back the hosts to clear the handicap Saturday.
