Preview: Wales v Ireland

Warren Gatland and Wales are seeking the perfect finish.

Victory in Cardiff on Super Saturday will give them the Grand Slam, a record third of the Kiwi head coach’s tenure, in his final year at the helm.

History is on Wales’ side – they have relished the big occasions in the Gatland era and it would be fitting if they can sign off in style.

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland have to take on the role of party poopers at Principality Stadium but they too have a Championship to play for.

Schmidt is also in the final year of his tenure and would love nothing more than to end with a first-ever Championship win in the Welsh capital.

That would put them top of the standings and if Scotland can do them a favour in the final game of Super Saturday – the 2019 Guinness Six Nations title would be theirs.

Grand Slam on the line in a packed Principality Stadium!

This is set to be epic. #WALvIRE #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/wr5uugsoNK

— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 15, 2019

For Wales, the equation is much simpler. Win and the Grand Slam and the Championship are theirs.

With it all on the line, Gatland has stuck to his tried and tested troops and named the exact same matchday 23 that downed Scotland in Round Four.

Liam Williams was the only injury concern during the week but the full-back has won his fitness battle and will be key to dealing with the Irish kicking game on Saturday afternoon.

Schmidt meanwhile has made three changes, bringing in the experience of Sean O’Brien in the back row and Rob Kearney at full-back while also giving a newer face a chance as Tadhg Beirne starts in the second row.

WHAT THEY SAID

Wales head coach Warren Gatland

“We’ve named an unchanged squad and rewarded the players for the last couple of outings and the last couple of victories.

“These players are on a very good run. They are a hugely impressive group and they deserve to be going into the final weekend with everything to play for.

“It is a great reward for them for the hard work they have put in and we are all looking forward to what is going to be a huge game.

“It’s about creating history and the opportunity to create history. For those players who haven’t been involved in a Grand Slam game before, it’s about making the most of that opportunity, not letting the moment go by without giving everything you’ve got.”

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt

“It’s very difficult to score against them, particularly at home.”

“Last year we scored five tries against them so it’s not a case of not being capable of doing it, but they do grow another leg at Principality Stadium.

“That’s going to be a challenge for us. We go in there to play. You can’t afford to go into your shell. They will have a similar attitude to a degree.

“They will certainly play a territorial game, it’s the way they have tried to manage the Guinness Six Nations so far so they will make sure we have to work our way out of our half more often than not.”

KEY BATTLE – Ross Moriarty v CJ Stander

Two hard-carrying No.8s will go head to head this weekend.

Both are British & Irish Lions who relish the physical side of international rugby and have a huge influence on their fellow forwards.

The battle for front-foot ball will be pivotal on Saturday afternoon and these two back-rowers are relied upon to make the hard yards through the middle.

Expect the earth to move in Cardiff when these two collide.

STATS – POWERED BY AWS

• Ireland top the possession charts in the Championship at 57.1% but Wales have shipped a Championship-low six tries across the first four games.
• Ireland are yet to concede a single point between 40 and 60 minutes in any of their games so far this year. But something has to give, because Wales have scored 27 points in that window after half-time, more than any other side.
• Wales have never lost on Super Saturday when playing for a Grand Slam in the Six Nations era
• 2013 was the last time Ireland won in Cardiff in the Championship – before Joe Schmidt took over
• But Ireland hold the overall edge in their meetings this century with 11 wins from the 19 meetings
• Wales are on a national record winning run of 13 Tests in a row – their last defeat coincidentally came against Ireland during last year’s Championship

FANTASY WATCH

Wales lock Adam Beard remains a fantasy bargain at only 11.1 stars.

The lock’s perfect international career continues apace, he has played 12 Tests and won all 12 so far.

But he is up against another lock in Tadhg Beirne who looks an absolute snip at 10.2 stars.

The Munster second row starts in the Championship for the first time in his career but knows Wales all too well after an amazingly successful stint in Llanelli with the Scarlets.

Keep an eye out for Sean O’Brien too, recalled this weekend for the crunch clash and good value for loose forwards in the game at 14 stars.

The flanker often saves his best for Wales and will be itching to prove a point to both head coaches this weekend.

TEAMS

Wales: Liam Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Davies, Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright, Aled Davies, Dan Biggar, Owen Watkin

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, CJ Stander

Replacements: Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, Jack Conan, Kieran Marmion, Jack Carty, Jordan Larmour 

Referee: Angus Gardner

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