{"id":31277,"date":"2019-01-29T16:49:06","date_gmt":"2019-01-29T16:49:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=31277"},"modified":"2019-01-29T16:49:06","modified_gmt":"2019-01-29T16:49:06","slug":"six-nations-preview-wales-seek-to-dethrone-the-irish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2019\/01\/29\/six-nations-preview-wales-seek-to-dethrone-the-irish\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Nations preview: Wales seek to dethrone the Irish"},"content":{"rendered":"

STILL riding the wave of momentum from an unblemished autumn campaign, Wales will seek to challenge Ireland\u2019s crown and win the Six Nations.
\nThe tournament will be an opportunity to give Head Coach Warren Gatland a fitting send-off as he leaves the national side after 11 years.
\nDefending champions Ireland and a resurgent English side will be looking to use the tournament as a launchpad for a\u00a0World Cup bid in Japan later this year.
\nStill reeling from a disappointing autumn series, France will be hoping their form at home will carry them through the tournament. Similarly, Scotland are difficult to beat on home soil and will be looking to translate promise into points. Having never won the tournament, Italy will look to silence critics that question their involvement.
\nSo how will the nations fare?
\nWales<\/strong>
\nAfter winning all of their autumn tests, Wales will be hoping to build on this momentum heading into the six nations.
\nDespite some big injury concerns in Halfpenny and Patchell, It\u2019s likely that Gatland will stick fairly closely to the team that beat Australia in November. Over the past 18 months, Wales have made subtle changes, mainly in controlling loose play and focusing their kicks. However, they have struggled to score tries and have too often relied on their kickers.
\nThis year\u2019s fixtures have been kind to Wales with their biggest games against England and Ireland being played in the Principality Stadium. The final game of the tournament \u2013 Wales v Ireland \u2013 is likely to be a winner-takes-all moment.
\nFrance <\/strong>
\nFrance will be looking to win their opening game against Wales on Friday and redeem themselves after a disappointing autumn series. While they play well at home, the French have lost their last eight matches away, and 16 of their last 19. If they get off to a good start with a win against Wales they can take that confidence into the rest of the series and provide a stern test for the big guns.
\nAs the lowest try scorers in last year\u2019s competition, the focus will be on attack. However tough tests in England and Ireland may prove too big a challenge.
\nIreland<\/strong>
\nAs grand-slam winners and second in the world: Ireland are firm favourites in this year\u2019s competition.
\nThey play a big kicking game and have world class kickers in Murray and Sexton. Despite injury worries for Sexton, home games against England and France are likely to work in their favour.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Guinness Six Nations (@sixnationsrugby)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n