4th February 2012

Six Nations 2012 Ireland v Wales Betting: Tight game expected for Celtic clash

Early in the week when Wales had so many injury concerns regarding key players I wouldn't have given Wales a chance for this fixture. However Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts have made it in to the starting XV which is huge for Wales as is the inclusion of Adam Jones. Wales will still be without locks Wyn Jones and Charteris but Bradley and Ian Davies are good enough to do a job there and Ryan Jones isn't a bad replacement for Dan Lydiate in the back row either. The biggest disappointment for Wales will be the absence of Gethin Jenkins who is truly World class and I wonder if Rhys Gill is going to be good enough to scrummage against the Irish as any penalties conceeded will surely be punished by Sexton who has been on fire this season.

Ireland will be at near full strength for this game except for the absence O'Driscoll who will would have been replaced by Keith Earls but his baby has been taken ill and so will be replaced by Fergus Mcfadden. Ireland will really fancy their chances of avenging their World Cup defeat and there really was very little to choose between the sides that day and indeed Ireland enjoyed the slightly percentage of posession during that match but just could not find a way through the aggressive Welsh defence.

Wales shocked a lot people during the World Cup and were regarded as the fittest team in the competition but they still came up short against class opposition three times losing to South Africa, France and Australia but of course they were really unlucky against France with the sending off of Warburton. Their form in the World Cup hasn't been replicated in their domestic competitions either and only the Cardiff Blues have made it through to the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup, where as Ireland are represented by Ulster, Munster and arguably Europe's finest team Leinster.

I expect this to be a very tight game if the Welsh front row can hold their own but I have my doubts and can see the Irish gaining a decent victory. Wales will sorely miss Gethin Jenkins and indeed Mathew Rees, Huw Bennett performed well at the World Cup but some of his lineout throwing can be a bit wayward to say the least.

Recommended Bet: Ireland -4 to beat Wales at 10/11 with Stan James

» £150 Free Bet at Stan James