WALES HAVE BEEN written off in many quarters this week ahead of tomorrow’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin, but there is strong determination within the squad to prove the doubters wrong.
They’re missing several experienced figures including Alun Wyn Jones, but there the injury list has allowed a handful of exciting younger forwards to step up for tomorrow’s clash at the Aviva Stadium.
With Jones and Ken Owens absent, they also have a new captain in out-half Dan Biggar, who is well accustomed to Wales being talked down ahead of the Six Nations.
“We always start as fourth or fifth favorites,” said Biggar today.
“Every year, we seem to come in behind the big three [England, France, and Ireland] as favourites and I think Scotland are ahead of us in the bookies this week.
“It has been the same for the last 10 years. But I think people forget that for the last 10 years, we’ve been the most successful team in it, winning it four times, with Ireland and England winning it three times.
“So it’s no issue for us, it’s no different coming into the tournament as underdogs. Whether we won it the year before, have a full-strength team, or players missing, whatever it is, it’s always the same.
“We’re just looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and getting into a real arm-wrestle with Ireland because that’s what it is when you play Ireland. You’ve got to match them physically and if you don’t do that, you’re in a bit of trouble.”
The forecast for tomorrow in Dublin is not good, with rain and wind expected, so Biggar knows that the game will be about much more than the high-tempo attack that both sides usually aim to deliver.
“Another big part of the game when you play Ireland is the kicking game and controlling territory because they’ve got some of the best players in the world in doing that,” said Biggar.
“The conditions will obviously be a factor with it being quite wet and windy by the looks of it, but it gives us an opportunity to show that we can get on top defensively and match them physically.
“Those conditions are going to play into who controls the territory and who controls the phases of play for long periods, which is going to be so crucial tomorrow.”
The Wales skipper is confident the likes of back rows Taine Basham and Ellis Jenkins, converted centre Josh Adams, and wing sensation Louis Rees-Zammit can help his team to take the game to Ireland.
“We’ve prepared really well, we’re going there tomorrow to really get on the front-foot and take the game to Ireland.
“As opposed to some less experienced lads in the group being overawed or intimidated by what’s an incredibly strong-looking Irish side, we’ve got to make sure that we have a little bit about us, that we go off on the front-foot and take the game to Ireland.”
Ah now…..thats a bit hard on Rory! He cant help where hes born. We can be so smug here in our busted Republic. Try walking the fine line of catholic/protestant….nationalist/unionist……and not stumble at least once. Rory has handled himself with total dignity and he is fully entitled to feel more British than Irish if he wants! Bottom line? Hes the worlds number one golfer and Im proud to be from the same island as him! Rock on Rory!
great event…. be better viewing if on BBC. Sky coverage is a tad ott in my opinion.
Could not agree more
Certainly OTT with the ad breaks!
Still my favourite comp in golf…but
Too much hugging and patting each other on the back and talking sh1te. And that’s the Euro team, they’re worse than the US ever were. G Mc worst of the lot. Rant over.
I’ll keep in touch with this but I have to say that it seems to me that the build up to this year’s event has been very muted. Especially when you compare it to the kind of excitment that surrounded the event in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Perhaps its just that I haven’t been looking for it. Maybe it will build over the weekend assuming its a close match.
No Podge — also it’s never quite as buzzed when it’s on the other side of the Atlantic. Nothing’s gonna compare to 2006 in terms of excitement.
i am a golf lover, however, I am no longer excited about McIlroy, yes he is amazing, but I have become ambivalent after his nationality issue.
Your problem, not his.
I dunno if its cause harrington was left behind or what but i have to say i have no interest in it this year for the first time in twenty years
Watching the Americans cheer when the Europeans hit a bad shot tells us how I’ll mannered and unsportsmanlike they are as a people. It really removes any enjoyment from the Tournament. I have experienced similar behaviour in Chicago before but never at this level.
Ok….cant sleep here!
I would love if Rory played for team Irl in next Olympics…..but if he doesnt and goes with team GB then I will cheer him on, provided hes not playing against team Irl. Just like I cheered for Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis…..and Usain Bolt! But most enduring and enjoyable memory…..our Katie!
European championships and Olympics took away from build up of ryder cup I think. Great event tho, and great coverage on journal.ie, well done guys…
Go U S of A
Yeeeeeow!
Rory already picked GB for the Olympics at Rio. Tiger back to himself after good start to The Ryder Cup. still shouting for Europe though. Day 2 is going to be better.
Don’t know what golf you were watching yesterday but Tiger was brutal, barely hit a fairway, won no points and was easily the worst player on team USA. His team are two points up despite him.
@limofax seven birdies in the afternoon fourball – hardly dire? His team simply ran into the ‘freight train’ that was Colsaerts (sp?) yesterday. What made Colsaerts’ performance (8 birds & 1 eagle I think) was that he did it all whilst carrying Westwood around the course – his back must be broke this morning!
And dropped this morning. Regardless of his birdies yesterday afternoon he still the standout failure for the Yankidy planks.