DUBLIN (AP) — As the next team in the line of fire, Wales has been racking its brains about how to stop Ireland.
The Welsh are massive underdogs for the Six Nations match on Saturday in Dublin because the teams are at different stages of development. Wales is learning how to walk. Ireland is running.
Ireland hasn’t had to worry about a post-Rugby World Cup cleanout like Wales. It has ploughed on, and responded to World Cup agony in the autumn by thumping France away and Italy at home in the winter. The Irish are on course for back-to-back Grand Slams.
As a settled side, they are being ruthlessly efficient. It didn’t matter when half of the forward pack was changed for the Italy game. The lineout is enjoying 100% success and the ball carrying is powerful. Ireland’s post-contact meters were 161 against France and 211 against Italy. As a bonus, Jonathan Sexton’s boots have been impressively filled by Jack Crowley, who has had the benefit of operating behind a dominant pack.
They have extended their unbeaten record at home to three years. They have won a team-record 10 straight Six Nations matches.
What can Wales do?
“I’m fearful of this game, I really am,” Wales great Shane Williams says.
He and other supporters like the promise Wales is showing. How the discipline has been outstanding. How Tommy Reffell has been an effective replacement for injured captain Jac Morgan. But they agree that Wales doesn’t seem to have the wherewithal yet to topple Ireland in Dublin for the first time in 12 years.
Wales prop Gareth Thomas will be on the field. “It is going to hurt,” he admits, “but it is going to feel good if we get right (what Wales has planned). Just going after them, going at them, beating them physically; if we don’t start like that then we have no chance.”
Only one starter was changed following the 16-14 loss to England at Twickenham: Flyhalf Sam Costelow is back.
Coach Warren Gatland says its about getting Costelow back on the horse. Costelow was the third-string 10 at the World Cup. Made first string for the Six Nations, Costelow suffered a neck injury before halftime against Scotland in the tournament opener, and his confidence was doubly hit when replacement Ioan Lloyd helped to trigger a stirring Wales comeback, then played well again in the narrow loss to England.
Ireland has inserted rookie fullback Ciaran Frawley into the team which routed France after Hugo Keenan injured a knee against Italy. The staff expect Keenan to be OK for the next match against England.
Frawley, who has 44 minutes of test experience, usually operates as an inside back but coach Andy Farrell called fullback a “natural” fit. Farrell also had limited options with Jimmy O’Brien and Mack Hansen unavailable.
“It will be a test of his temperament but he’s playing in a good side and I’m sure he’ll take his chance,” Farrell says.
That good side included the return of six regulars: Captain Peter O’Mahony, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier and backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki.
Among a 6-2 split of forwards-backs reserves was uncapped Munster tighthead Oli Jager, who came back to Ireland last year after a decade in New Zealand, where he represented the Crusaders and Canterbury.
“It’s always a pleasure to give someone their debut,” Farrell says. “This is a special one because it’s a special story in Oli.
“When we was over in New Zealand (in 2022), I met him about his plans and where that sat but he was content enough because he was building a really nice life for himself over there and doing unbelievably well for the Crusaders. But he showed his ambition to come back to Ireland and make a claim for a spot playing for his country. “Watching him start his career in Ireland at Munster, we’ve been nothing but impressed.”
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Lineups:
Ireland: Ciaran Frawley, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris, James van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Oli Jager, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Stuart McCloskey.
Wales: Cameron Winnett, Josh Adams, George North, Nick Tompkins, Rio Dyer, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Alex Mann, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins (captain), Kieron Assiratti, Elliot Dee, Gareth Thomas. Reserves: Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Will Rowlands, Mackenzie Martin, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Mason Grady.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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