The Welsh national rugby team has encountered recent struggles, experiencing two losses in the Six Nations tournament against Scotland and England. Despite displaying potential in their gameplay, weaknesses in areas such as scrummaging and kicking have been highlighted by RTÉ rugby analyst Bernard Jackman.
Amidst Wales’ current rebuilding phase under the leadership of Warren Gatland, Jackman notes the inconsistency of their scrum and the hit-and-miss performance in their lineouts. Additionally, their kicking game has been less than impressive, often causing trouble on the field.
However, Jackman also acknowledges the potential of the Welsh team, particularly the outstanding performance of their number 7, Tommy Reffell, in the tournament so far. Despite their weaknesses, Wales has shown flashes of skill, playing with speed and abandon, but lacking a clear and defined attack strategy.
Looking ahead to the match against Ireland, Jackman suggests that there will be opportunities for Ireland to capitalize on Wales’ weaknesses, particularly in the area of counter-attacking. However, he also notes that Ireland must maintain their consistency and ruthlessness to secure a win.
The annual Wales-Ireland fixture has been fiercely competitive in the past, but Irish dominance in recent years has subdued some of the rivalry. With recent matches ending in Ireland’s favour, it’s difficult to imagine any other outcome than an Irish victory in the upcoming game.
While Wales is in a phase of rebuilding, there are still individual players who deserve respect for their talent and performance. However, the team as a whole may be lacking the belief that they can defeat Ireland, given their history of struggles against Irish provinces.
As rugby fans prepare for the upcoming matches, the anticipation for the performances of both Wales and Ireland is palpable. The Six Nations tournament continues to provide thrilling and unpredictable moments on the field, with each team vying for victory.
For more rugby insights and analysis, be sure to tune in to the RTÉ Rugby podcast available on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Additionally, don’t miss the exciting matches between Ireland and Wales, as well as France and Italy, broadcasted live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. Stay updated on the latest developments by following the live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.