Ireland will be searching for their first Six Nations victory in Cardiff since 2013 when they clash with Wales in the 2023 championship opener on Saturday.
Wales v Ireland
Saturday 4 February
16:15
Principality Stadium
To Win
Wales 2/1 | draw 22/1 | Ireland 4/10
Handicap
Wales (+6.5) 9/10 | Ireland (-6.5) 9/10
While the Emerald Isle did earn wins at the Principality Stadium in two Rugby World Cup warm-up Tests in 2015 and 2019 respectively, a Six Nations victory on the hallowed turf has eluded them since their 30-22 first-round result during Wales’ championship-winning campaign of 10 years ago.
Andy Farrell’s charges, currently ranked No 1 in the world, had a phenomenal 2022 and just missed out on last season’s Six Nations to France after going down in Paris in the second round – just one of two defeats they suffered in the entirety of the year. The other came at Eden Park.
In truth, Ireland have very few weaknesses and only really seem vulnerable when captain Johnny Sexton is absent, as he was in the loss at the Stade de France last year. They claimed a comfortable 29-7 victory in this reverse fixture in Dublin 12 months ago and it’ll be hard to bet against them getting their campaign off the ground here.
🏉 #TBT
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 2, 2023
🏴 Some great Welsh tries against Ireland from over the years! 👇
Pwy sy'n barod am y penwythnos?#WelshRugby | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/9UnSEvLJY8
The hosts begin life under legendary coach Warren Gatland once more following the departure of fellow Kiwi Wayne Pivac in December, and it’s fair to say the 59-year-old has a job on his hands. The Dragons are reeling after a disastrous 2022 which saw them lose nine of the 12 Tests they played, including record defeats to Italy and Georgia at home.
While Gatland did achieve a Grand Slam in his very first season as Wales boss back in 2008, not many see him matching that feat this season. In a similar vein to England’s Steve Borthwick, his top priority will be reintroducing his players to his playing philosophy, one that brought the nation such success in his first tenure, as well as laying a solid platform off which to prepare for the World Cup.
Teams
Wales
15 Liam Williams; 14 Josh Adams, 13 George North, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Rio Dyer, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Jac Morgan, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard; 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ken Owens (captain), 1 Gareth Thomas
Substitutes: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Owen Williams, 23 Alex Cuthbert
Ireland
15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 James Lowe; 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson Park; 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony; 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne; 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Substitutes: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki
Verdict: Ireland (-6.5) 9/10
The Dragons will definitely be more competitive than they were last year, but ultimately this settled Ireland unit will have more firepower.
