Wales vs Ireland Prediction & Betting Tips - Six Nations

Prediction published on 05/02/2021, 17:09  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/02/2021 at 18:10 in Six Nations Prediction

Wales went into the 2020 Six Nations as defending champions and Grand Slam winners. They began with a 42-0 home win over Italy but then lost their next four games, to finish fifth in the table. A disappointing campaign indeed capped off by losing at home to Scotland.  Their Autumn Nations Cup campaign wasn't that successful either with losses to both England and their opponents in this 2021 Six Nations tournament, Ireland. Some new blood was tested in those autumn matches and Louis Rees-Zammit was a success and will play in this match. Another major change sees the return of Dan Lydiate who hasn't played international rugby since 2018. The hope is that a mix of experience and youth will produce a more successful campaign.

Ireland finished second in the 2020 Six Nations tournament with three wins and two defeats. The two losses came in away matches to England and France but this year, those two countries head to Dublin. Ireland beat Wales 24-14 at home in last season's championship and then got a 32-9 win in Dublin over the Welsh in the Autumn Nations Cup. That made it four wins in a row against them since Wales won that Grand Slam in 2019. This year has seen Ireland introduce their former captain Paul O'Connell as their forwards coach. Their squad is an experienced one and can start this campaign by outbattling the Welsh side to get a win.