Ireland on the Verge of Grand Slam as Wales Languish
After a hard-fought 27-22 victory over England, Ireland continued their unbeaten run in the Six Nations with a bonus-point victory away to Scotland (18-32), remaining the only team in contention for the Grand Slam following France’s loss to England.
In the third matchday of the Tournament, the Irish will host a struggling Wales side that has endured a dismal run of 14 consecutive defeats, the last two against France (43-0) and Italy (22-15). This poor form has led to the resignation of Wales head coach Warren Gatland, whose last victory came against Georgia (23-13) on October 7, 2023, in the group stage of the World Cup in France.
Matt Sherratt, the current Cardiff coach, is serving as an interim manager for Wales’ remaining three Six Nations matches.
The third-round clash between Wales and Ireland will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with a 15:15 kickoff (UTC). The match will be broadcast live on France 2 and will be available for streaming on Le Figaro Sport.
Ireland’s Grand Slam Hopes Intact
Ireland’s impressive victory over Scotland has not only kept their Grand Slam hopes alive but also established them as the clear favorites to win the title. With three wins from three matches, Ireland has demonstrated a formidable combination of skill, power, and tactical acumen.
Jamison Gibson-Park, who has been in excellent form at scrum-half, will be a key player for Ireland against Wales. His quick wit, ability to spot gaps, and astute kicking game have been instrumental in Ireland’s success so far.
Up front, Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan have formed a formidable partnership in the front row, while Caelan Doris has been a tireless presence in the back row, providing endless energy and breakdown dominance.
Wales in Dire Straits
In stark contrast to Ireland’s form, Wales has been in a dire state throughout the Six Nations. Their demoralizing defeat to Italy, a team they had not lost to in the Six Nations since 2007, has plunged them to new depths.
Wales’ defense has been particularly vulnerable, conceding an average of 32 points per game in their opening two defeats. They have also struggled to create scoring opportunities, with only one try scored in their first two matches.
The absence of injured captain Alun Wyn Jones has been a significant blow, as his leadership, experience, and physical presence are sorely missed.
Interim Coach Sherratt Faces Uphill Task
Matt Sherratt faces a herculean task as Wales’ interim coach, tasked with turning around a team that has lost all confidence and momentum. His immediate priority will be to address the team’s defensive woes and instill a sense of belief and determination in his players.
Sherratt, who has a strong track record at club level with Cardiff, will need to find a way to inspire his players to perform above their recent disappointing levels.
Match Preview
On paper, Ireland should be overwhelming favorites to win against Wales. The Irish are in excellent form, while Wales is struggling to find any sort of rhythm or consistency.
However, Wales will be playing at home, and they will be determined to put in a better performance than they have in their previous two matches.
If Wales can tighten up their defense, limit their errors, and seize any opportunities that come their way, they could potentially spring an upset. However, Ireland’s current form suggests that Wales will need to play at the very top of their game to have any chance of victory.
Prediction:
Ireland to win with a bonus point.
