| venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin date: Saturday, February 24th kick off: 14:15 GMT |
| Scope: Watch live on S4C. Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Ulster. Read live text updates, reports, reactions and highlights on the BBC Sport website and app.Scrum V Six Nations Highlights, Sunday 25th February, BBC Two Wales, on demand from 18:00 GMT |
It's not mission impossible. But Wales' trip to Ireland's Six Nations home this weekend is a highly unlikely mission.
In recent seasons, Wales have arrived in Dublin with more hopes than expectations. However, there is little hope for away success on this occasion.
The challenge will be to find out who can predict Wales' surprise victory on Saturday afternoon at the Aviva Stadium against a rampaging Irish team, number two in the world.
History of Wales games
Basic facts and figures mean Wales rank as outsiders at this venue, having failed to win a Six Nations match in five attempts since 2012.
Wales have lost nine of their last 10 Six Nations games, but if Ireland win they will equal England's record of 11 consecutive Championship wins.
It will be a monumental task for Warren Gatland's side, given Ireland's home record of just two defeats in their last 40 games.
Wales came close to defeating Scotland and England in their opening games, but Ireland will be a challenge of a different scale in Dublin.
After the huge disappointment of being eliminated in the World Cup quarter-finals once again, Andy Farrell's team showed no signs of hangover as they broke through the blocks with overwhelming wins over France and Italy, marking their first historic feat since their return. accomplished a great feat. -Bringing the Grand Slam of the Six Nations era even closer.
Two of the remaining three games will be played at home. Maybe that effort is already over after beating Les Bleus in Marseille.
It's hard to ignore how good Ireland is. Their all-court game is unparalleled in the competition. They are a team with no glaring weaknesses. Others can only look on with envy.
power play
Ireland will aim to outplay and dominate Wales, as evidenced by the decision to leave six replacement forwards on the bench.
This will put the onus on Wales to make their set-pieces work. Up until now, our Six Nations campaign has been a story of a first half and a second half.
We didn't score in the first 40 minutes against Scotland. The scorers didn't trouble him in the second 40 minutes of the match against England.
Wales almost did well enough to win both games, losing 27-26 and 16-14, but they had to reflect on what could have been.
Gatland's side lost six lineouts to their own throws against Scotland and that key area proved chaotic at times. While there were many good moments, there were times when the scrum was shaky.
There is little room for error against Ireland. If Wales get the basics of set pieces wrong, they will be punished mercilessly.
familiar friends and enemies
Wales head coach Gatland has led the British and Irish Lions in their last three outings, including a Test series win against Australia in 2013 and a draw with New Zealand four years later. There was also the mastermind behind the series. Farrell, who currently leads the Irish national team, served as defense coach in both series.
Gatland has a big job ahead of him for next year's Australian squad, but his successor, Farrell, is the front-runner to replace him given Ireland's incredible success in recent seasons. One thing was emphasized. Farrell knows the ropes for the Lions.
The tactical battle between two of rugby's greatest minds will be fascinating this weekend as they put their master plan into action.
Gatland and Farrell find themselves in contrasting situations in terms of national success and professional cohesion.
Wales manager caused controversy Among the comments was that Welsh rugby was like plugging a sinking ship and it was doubtful whether a much-needed regional reset would occur.
Wales also lost a lot of experience before and after the World Cup, with Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams all absent due to international retirement or absence, and Jack Morgan , Dewi Lake, and Taurup are also absent. Faletau was injured.
Ireland have managed to retain many of their players apart from former captain Johnny Sexton, making it an evolutionary policy for Ireland rather than a forced revolution for Wales.
Gatland introduced new players such as full-back Cameron Wynnett and flanker Alex Mann in just a few games.
Cardiff colleague Mackenzie Martin is poised to make his Wales debut as a substitute after nine professional games.
Gatland was Ireland manager in 2000, a year after handing his first cap to Brian O'Driscoll, and produced the likes of Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, Simon Easterby, Shane Horgan and John Hayes.
Even if this weekend proves too soon, he will be hopeful that these youth policies will bear fruit in the future.
comfort of home
The raucous Dublin crowd at the Aviva Stadium will test this young Welsh team. Wales players often talk about the emotional atmosphere at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, but Ireland's home has become a fortress.
Saracens' Wales center Nick Tompkins has played in their last two defeats in 2020 and 2022.
“It's an incredible stadium with a huge crowd,” Tompkins said. “The crowd is incredibly loud and absorbs that very well.”
“They've always done that, but even more so in the last few years. So it's going to be a big challenge, and it's going to be interesting for the young boys experiencing it for the first time.”
“I want them to feel like there's no blemish. I don't want them to go in there and worry about the outside and that we can't beat them. I want them to go and just be them, be confident and have fun with it. “
Could Ireland's weaknesses be exposed?
Wales would hope so too. They are talking about trying to cause chaos by disrupting Ireland.
Leinster full-back Hugo Keenan has proved to be a dominant force in Ireland's attack and defense over the past few seasons.
A player who always seems to be at his best, he has clearly emerged as one of the leading full-backs in Northern Hemisphere rugby, and Farrell has confirmed that he is a very reliable player and a star player. I know.
However, he missed the game against Wales with a knee injury and Farrell called up Keenan's Leinster colleague Ciaran Frawley for his first Test start after two appearances on the bench.
Keenan is a big loss and Frawley will inevitably be out straight, but he has played a lot of rugby at fly-half and center and Gatland has hinted that Wales will target him. There is.
Sexton's replacement at fly-half, Jack Crowley, has had a smooth transition into the starting XI in the Six Nations so far, but remains untested.
Wales also have an inexperienced number 10 with Sam Costelow back from injury, but will be looking to expose Crawley's weaknesses.
If we could do that, Mission Improbable might seem a little more realistic. The Welsh people live in hope, but not much is expected of them.
