Your night rugby headlines on Saturday, February 24.
Irish coach pulls Wales aside
Irish pundit and former Dragons coach Bernard Jackman has pulled aside Wales’ probabilities of competing with Ireland, figuring out a number of key weaknesses.
Jackman, a revered analyst within the UK and Ireland, does not imagine Wales have sufficient of their inexperienced armoury, saying they’re truly higher with out the ball than with it. He additionally believes there’s now a real lack of perception in Welsh rugby they’ll go to Ireland and win.
In the latest Inside Welsh rugby publication, you may learn a full clarification on how Irish rugby left Wales behind. Take a glance right here.
READ MORE: Ireland U20s blow Wales away in complete victory
Speaking to RTE, he stated: “Their scrum is a weak point, they’ve chopped and altered their props. Their lineout has been hit or miss. Their greatest risk is with out the ball, Tommy Reffell, their seven, has had an excellent match to date. They do play quick. And they do play with abandon.
“They in all probability have not been collectively lengthy sufficient to have a really clear and apparent form or attack technique. Their kicking sport is definitely very poor. Any time they’ve gone again to that, it is received them in hassle. Sam Costelow coming in at 10 will give them somewhat bit higher kicking sport. But I feel there’s going to massive alternatives for Ireland to counter-attack.
“It’s so arduous to see something aside from an Irish win. I used to be simply taking a look at among the rankings. We’re first in tries, carries, operating metres, metres gained, post-contact metres, ruck pace, possession, deal with breaks and in line-breaks.
“It’s solely two video games and you possibly can argue concerning the mindset of France and Italy. But I feel we have simply carried on from the place we had been going into the World Cup.”
Wales utterly written off by bookies
By Graham Thomas
Wales have been utterly written off by betting businesses forward of their conflict towards Ireland.
Welsh betting firm DragonBet have gotten Wales at 20/1 to win the sport, and so they had Wales at 10/1 towards England two weeks in the past.
DragonBet director James Lovell stated regardless of some indicators of positivity within the Wales crew, Ireland might be far too highly effective for them: ‘It’s been a very fascinating week, which exhibits the extent of public assist for this young crew and a good diploma of optimism.
‘Despite the pre-tournament doom and gloom, and the truth that Wales have began as underdogs within the first three matches, it hasn’t put folks off backing them and the assist has actually taken us without warning.
‘Whether that be coronary heart over head, or religion within the young Gatland crew, we have needed to put our massive boy pants on a face some massive liabilities within the opening matches.
‘Going 10/1 Wales to beat England may need been a mistake in hindsight and I felt like I’d aged 10 years after the match.
‘Ireland look a unique proposition and this time we’re going even greater, placing Wales at 20/1 to beat them.
‘I feel everybody would agree it could be a large shock if Wales do it but when there have been by no means any sporting shocks there would not be any bookies left!’
Last time Wales confronted Ireland, it was a 10-34 loss on the Principality Stadium for Warren Gatland’s crew. The final time on the Aviva, it was 29-7.
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Tompkins not daunted
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Nick Tompkins says that Wales are excited and never daunted by the problem that awaits them towards Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland on Saturday.
The odds are stacked towards Wales, having not gained a Six Nations sport in Dublin since 2012 and dealing with a crew marching ominously in the direction of reaching back-to-back Grand Slams.
More than a 3rd of Wales’ match-day 23 have cap totals in single figures, whereas a vastly-experienced Ireland crew final suffered a Six Nations defeat two years in the past.
Asked if there was a extra daunting take a look at in world rugby than tackling Ireland on the Aviva Stadium, Wales centre Tompkins stated: “I do not find out about daunting.
“Daunting makes it feels like we’re scared. We should not. We are excited.
“Realistically, we have now received nothing to lose. It is an enormous problem, however you want these massive ones.
“There is not any level in taking part in a mediocre facet, and it’ll be good to see the place we’re at.”
Darcy Graham to overlook complete Six Nations
Scotland wing Darcy Graham is ready to overlook the whole Six Nations marketing campaign for the second 12 months in a row.
The 26-year-old returned to coaching firstly of the week, however has since injured his groin. The speedster was anticipated to play for Edinburgh final weekend towards Zebre within the United Rugby Championship, however determined to concentrate on health forward of the England conflict.
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend defined: “He educated Monday – he was flying – then on Wednesday he was flying once more however then his groin on the opposite facet received injured.
“He’s nonetheless talking to the specialist, however I don’t imagine he’ll be again for the tip of the championship. Hopefully he gained’t be out for lengthy with Edinburgh, but it surely’s a blow.
“He did every thing to get again available for the England sport via his quad harm, however it’s a new harm. Discussions are being had with the specialists over whether or not it requires surgical procedure or a interval of rehab, but it surely has been a irritating time for Darcy for the reason that World Cup.”
