Stephen Ferris: Wales can restrict tournament favourites Ireland in Six Nations opener
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Stephen Ferris previews Wales v Ireland
Ladbrokes ambassador Stephen Ferris gives his thoughts on Saturday’s Six Nations opener between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff.
Check out the former Ireland international’s thoughts on the England v Scotland and Italy v France games by clicking on the links and read our players to watch in the Six Nations over the six weeks.
Wales v Ireland (Saturday, 14.15, BBC)
Warren Gatland decided to announce his starting team to the media on Tuesday. This suggests that he is trying to get in early on the mind games, hoping Ireland might focus more on Wales instead of themselves. Will there be a change in fortunes for Wales under their new regime or will the seven-point favourites be too much?
Ireland have won five of their last six games against Wales, but their previous defeat came in the 2021 Six Nations when the game was turned on its head with a red card for Peter O’Mahoney. Ireland have got to be squeaky clean and can’t afford to give Wales any sort of lifeline. Ireland are the world’s top-ranked team for a reason, so let’s see if they live up to the hype.
Team selection is always crucial, but you can be assured that these two teams are fully loaded and are selecting their best fully-fit sides.
Getting off to a winning start will allow momentum can build. Lose the first one and the pressure mounts instantly. Pressure is for tyres they say but I can assure you from first-hand experience, this is a must-win game for both teams and the pressure is ON.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
