WALES FORWARDS COACH Robin McBryde believes the Wales squad have the experience and temperament to win big games like Saturday’s against Ireland.
The rivalry between the two nations has added spice after the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia last year. Ireland veteran Brian O’Driscoll was dropped by Warren Gatland – the Wales coach – for the third Test of a series the Lions won 2-1.
That is just one subplot leading into Saturday’s Six Nations fixture, although both teams have tried to play down the rivalry.
Advertisement
But according to McBryde, the bigger the game the better Wales – two-time defending Six Nations champions – play thanks to their experience.
“We are fortunate at the moment that we have got a special group of players who have been there before,” McBryde said.
“They are relatively young but they have got a wealth of experience under their belts. They know what works and how to win these types of matches. They have been there before so for us as coaches really it is over to them.”
Ireland top the Six Nations table after one game, having hammered Scotland 28-6 at Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
With wet and windy conditions expected in Dublin, Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins said his job became more important.
“We will wait and see. We have been told there’s a lot of rain coming and probably windy conditions,” he said.
“That doesn’t suit a ball-in-hand game but certainly there will be a lot of kicking, but it has got to be accurate kicking and the right type of kicking as well.
“We will get to that point when tomorrow comes. Our main focus is on ourselves and whatever we bring to the party tomorrow, we have just got to be on edge and be ready to rock tomorrow.”
Forward coach McBryde backs Welsh 'experience' against Ireland in Dublin
WALES FORWARDS COACH Robin McBryde believes the Wales squad have the experience and temperament to win big games like Saturday’s against Ireland.
The rivalry between the two nations has added spice after the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia last year. Ireland veteran Brian O’Driscoll was dropped by Warren Gatland – the Wales coach – for the third Test of a series the Lions won 2-1.
That is just one subplot leading into Saturday’s Six Nations fixture, although both teams have tried to play down the rivalry.
But according to McBryde, the bigger the game the better Wales – two-time defending Six Nations champions – play thanks to their experience.
“We are fortunate at the moment that we have got a special group of players who have been there before,” McBryde said.
“They are relatively young but they have got a wealth of experience under their belts. They know what works and how to win these types of matches. They have been there before so for us as coaches really it is over to them.”
Ireland top the Six Nations table after one game, having hammered Scotland 28-6 at Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
With wet and windy conditions expected in Dublin, Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins said his job became more important.
“That doesn’t suit a ball-in-hand game but certainly there will be a lot of kicking, but it has got to be accurate kicking and the right type of kicking as well.
“We will get to that point when tomorrow comes. Our main focus is on ourselves and whatever we bring to the party tomorrow, we have just got to be on edge and be ready to rock tomorrow.”
Fifty years on, Gibson’s debut stands test of time
4 tactical areas to watch out for when Ireland take on Wales today
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All-Ireland Senior HC Six Nations Ireland Ireland irevwal Rugby Union Wales Wales