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Wales Six Nations Preview - Dwayne Peel

therugbypod:

The build-up to the Six Nations was always an intense experience in the Welsh camp. Once the initial excitement of being selected had subsided, the hard work began. We would turn up at 8am on a Monday morning at the Vale of Glamorgan for week long training camp. Learning new calls, cementing our combinations and getting back into the swing of things were the main priorities.

Having spent so much time together over the course of the World Cup, things will come quicker to the boys this season, but make no mistake, the coaches will be thoroughly and painstakingly putting the squad through their paces and they will be ready and raring to go on Saturday. Given how settled the squad and coaching set up is, Wales should go into the competition full of confidence.

Looking to this Saturday’s game, Dublin was never a happy hunting ground for me personally, having suffered many a loss in Lansdowne Road. It’s an extremely tough place to go and win, but this Welsh squad are the most experienced and on paper, strongest team in the tournament this year. Ireland meanwhile, have been dealt several huge blows through injury and the retirement of the irreplaceable Paul O’Connell.

Gatland and Schmidt are two of the shrewdest coaches in the business and it will be fascinating to see what game plan each one adopts. Schmidt has been quick to point out the size advantage in favour of Wales, so expect Ireland to move the ball around and use some smart chips and kicks from Sexton and Murray to get in behind the Welsh blitz defence.

The Welsh pack meanwhile, will look to win the arm wrestle up front and without O’Mahony, Healy, O’Connell and Ross, Ireland may struggle to cope.

The Welsh backrow will continue to be the heartbeat of the team, but it’s the strength of the second row that gives Wales a big advantage. With Wyn Jones, Davies & Charteris all in phenomenal form, they can look to build a strong platform and dominate up front.

Should he start, I’m also particularly looking forward to seeing how Gareth Davies fares against the current number one scrum half in the competition, Conor Murray. While this game is big enough in its own right, it’s also a first audition in the build-up to the Lions tour 2017.

Ultimately, Wales should have the edge in this crucial opener, but it will require that they hit their stride from the offset, something that has not always been the case for Welsh sides in recent competitions.

Elsewhere in the tournament, it will be fascinating to see how Dylan Hartley fares as captain for England. I think the decision to give him the arm band was a master stroke by new coach Eddie Jones. Having played against Dylan many times, he’s a standout leader and a fantastic player. England are a much stronger team when he is on the field and they clearly missed him in the world cup. He will give England the hard edge they were once renowned for and have been lacking in recent years.

Under Guy Noves, France will show a lot more ambition and will become a major threat again. We’ve already seen from his squad selection that he’s keen to move away from the attritional game plan favoured by Saint Andre. However, having only had a couple of weeks with his new squad, it will be nearly impossible to work his magic and turn France into title contenders in such a short space of time.

So with all that said, it’s hard to look beyond Wales at the outset of this tournament. There’s plenty to look forward to over the next few weeks and when it comes to drama, atmosphere and entertainment, there’s no better rugby competition in the world. Bring on the Six Nations 2016!

Written by Dwayne Peel on behalf of the - www.TheRugbyPod.com