Ireland take on Wales on a Saturday in a Six Nations opener that could define the path of both sides in this year’s Championship. Here are three things to keep an eye on.
Can Ireland stop the Welsh wingmen?
At some point following his team selection this week, Declan Kidney probably thought that he can’t do anything right.
He’s had to take a lot of flak for a series of conservative selections during his time as Irish coach and now he’s getting grief in some quarters for giving Craig Gilroy his Six Nations bow when the bulkier Andrew Trimble or the more experienced Keith Earls seemed the more sensible choice against a pair of Welsh wingers who are built like second rows but can move like Usain Bolt.
Had Kidney not gone for Gilroy after what he did against Argentina in November, however, he would have been met with cries of ‘same old Kidney, safe as usual’. Basically, he was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
It was a ballsy call to make by Kidney and we dearly hope that it is vindicated this weekend. Granted, Gilroy is not as good a defender as Trimble but then there are few wingers that are and it’s not as if he’s unable to hold his own in a rearguard action. Besides, selecting Gilroy points to Ireland looking to take the initiative on Saturday rather than letting Wales dictate proceedings on their terms.
Argentina may have had one foot on the plane home against Ireland in November, but Gilroy’s cameo was one of the most exciting things we’ve seen from an Irish player in years. He deserves his opportunity on Saturday and he’ll be looking to grasp it with both hands. No harm if he grasps George North with both hands and brings him to ground on numerous occasions as well.
How will Ireland cope at scrum time?
Not that it will make a huge difference to what happens on Saturday, but the last time Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross packed down together in the front row for Ireland was the horror show in Hamilton, which came three months after the scrum came in for widespread scrutiny following the dominance of the English pack in Twickenham last Paddy’s Day.
Without completely glossing over the cracks, it’s fair enough to say that the faltering display against England could be attributed more to an off day on the part of the front row rather than any fundamental problem, while nobody in the entire team could be absolved of responsibility for what happened in the third test in New Zealand.
Still, it will be no harm if Healy, Best and Ross feel that they have a point to prove against Wales and their form at provincial level – particularly that of Healy, who has been nigh on unstoppable of late – is encouraging in that regard.
It’s a good job too because they will be going up against Wales’ strongest possible front row – where the return of Adam Jones is a massive boost – which, incidentally, is completely different from the unit that faced Ireland in the Aviva last year.
If we can achieve parity at least at the set-piece, it’ll be the first step on the road to a long overdue scalp of the Grand Slam Champions.
A backlash from BOD?
As befits the great man, Brian O’Driscoll has dealt with being stripped of the Ireland captaincy very well indeed. Although believed to have been very disappointed with the decision, he has diplomatically kept his counsel and Jamie Heaslip has gone on record about the encouragement he has received from his predecessor ever since he was given the gig for the Six Nations.
O’Driscoll has absolutely nothing to prove to the Irish rugby public, but considering he missed last year’s tournament and with talk of his impending retirement doing the rounds, the centre will be keen to remind everyone of what he can still do. Hell also want to ensure ensure that people are talking about him in the here and now rather than discuss what it will be like when he’s gone.
He’ll be up against two men who are likely to be battling for a spot either beside him (Jamie Roberts) or instead of him (Jonathan Davies) on the Lions team in the summer and we expect him to rise to the challenge as he’s done so often in the past.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
