Ireland face Wales test
February 04, 2012 15:54:45 UK
Wales travel to Ireland in what promises to be a pulsating opening Six Nations clash in Dublin.
Declan Kidney's Ireland face Wales.Both sets of players will enter the match fuelled by memories of Wales’ hard-fought quarter-final victory over the Irish last year in the World Cup.
Irish coach Declan Kidney has insisted that revenge for the defeat is not at the forefront of his players minds, but if they are to achieve the win they have to do so without their talisman Brian o'Driscoll who is injured.
He will be replaced by Fergus McFadden, while Jonathan Sexton has fought off competition from Irish fly-half legend Ronan O’Gara to keep his place.
For Wales, coach Warren Gatland will be without Dan Lydia, but Rhys Priestland and Jamie have both been passed fit.
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Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand.
Warren Gatland
Looking ahead to the clash, Gatland warned Ireland that while they may be hungry for revenge, his team will be more than ready for the challenge.
"We have been working hard, and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done," said the New Zealander.
"Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand. They'll want to redress the balance, but they'll find us in just as determined a mood."
Ireland, who have won seven of their last 10 meetings against Wales, are rated as 1.50 to earn the win, with the visitors 2.80.
Teams:
Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), F McFadden (Leinster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster, capt), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), D Kearney (Leinster).
Wales: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); R Gill (Saracens), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A Powell (Sale Sharks), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).
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