THE PUNISHING LAST ACT
Cardiff finale has an extra edge as bitter foes collide for glory RORY KEANE
SOMETHING’S got to give. Ireland have never lost a game on the final weekend of the Six Nations under Joe Schmidt. In fact, they have repeatedly saved their best performance of the championship for last.
Think of Paris in 2014 or Murrayfield the following season, two impressive away wins which sealed back-to-back Six Nations titles.
Eddie Jones brought an England squad on a 18-game winning run to Dublin on the final weekend of the tournament in 2017 but they were downed 13-9 by the fired-up hosts in Dublin.
Schmidt’s men would storm Twickenham on St Patrick’s Day the following season to seal their own Grand Slam. That is an ominous sign for a Wales team looking to seal their first clean sweep since 2012.
They will be buoyed by the fact that Schmidt has yet to mastermind a Test victory at Welsh HQ. Ireland came here in 2015 and 2017 and were beaten out the gate on both occasions.
Warren Gatland has very much had the measure of Schmidt at the Millennium Stadium. It’s going to be carnage on and off the pitch. The biggest watering hole in Cardiff has shipped in 140 extra kegs to cope with the swell of thirsty punters descending on the city.
Despite Ireland’s troubles here in recent times, the players have a soft spot for this ground. Do a sweep of this squad and the majority will tell you that this stadium is their favourite away venue.
This is where Munster claimed Heineken Cups in 2006 and 2008. It was the scene for Leinster’s miracle comeback against Northampton in 2011. This is where Ireland demolished France at the last World Cup. Conversely, it is the same place they were vanquished by the Pumas a week later.
Invariably, the roof debate raged on this week. It happens before every big game at this ground. Logic would dictate that it would be closed for every big game.
It guarantees a slick, fast surface and a high-tempo match. It also sends the volume up to 11 around the stadium and ensures a spinetingling atmosphere.
But Schmidt doesn’t buy into blockbuster notions. He was miffed about Ireland’s last visit here, after agreeing to a closed roof only to see the sprinklers on full belt before the match.
Schmidt does not forget these things. Despite weather of biblical proportions forecast for Cardiff, the stadium will be exposed to the elements this afternoon. Consider it a parting gift from Schmidt to Gatland. The battle between these two coaches (who are both leaving their posts after the World Cup in Japan) is just one of the many fascinating subplots to this eagerlyanticipated encounter.
It’s safe to say the pair are not overly fond of each other. There’s been some frosty exchanges down the years. It’s been tight and tense on the field as well. Schmidt and Gatland have faced each other seven times as Ireland and Wales supremos.
It currently stands at three wins apiece with one draw in 2016. A Welsh win today will seal a Grand Slam and a 14th consecutive Test win. It will embolden a playing group that ‘have forgotten how to lose,’ according to Gatland. Ireland have had a shaky campaign but there were signs against France that they are returning to the ruthless and efficient team that swept all before them in 2018.
Take a scan through both team sheets and you will find fascinating match-ups everywhere. There are sure to be no end of aerial bombs landing on both fullbacks this afternoon, but Rob Kearney and Liam Williams are two of the best in the business.
Ireland have an attacking phenomenon in Jacob Stockdale out wide. There was a time when George North was earning similar reviews. He has had a quiet tournament by his standards but still possesses the size and power to make a big impact.
Two of the classiest and intelligent outside centres on the world stage will go head-to-head with Garry Ringrose, the young pretender and already a leader, up against Jonathan Davies, a man who has started six consecutive Lions Tests across the Australia and Zealand tours in 2013 and 2017.
All going well, these two will be battling it out for the No13 shirt in South Africa in 2021. The pair can both count on hard-nosed Kiwis as midfield partners. Bundee Aki and Hadleigh Parkes were once foes back in their native New Zealand on the club scene with Counties Manakau and Auckland. The world can be a small place.
Gareth Anscombe has emerged as the new great white hope for Wales at No10. This will be the biggest test of his career. Then again, having Dan Biggar on the bench is not a bad insurance option for Gatland.
The wondrously talented lock Tadhg Beirne is finally making his Six Nations debut, at the age of 27. It is a belated – and deserved – start for a player who made his name as a turnover and tackling machine with the Scarlets.
His partnership with James Ryan in the second row has the potential to become world class. You feel that is where Ireland can win this game. The visitors look lethal up front with some heavy artillery on the bench ready to make an impact. Ireland have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and territory in these recent fixtures.
Equally, Wales have been happy to soak up all the pressure. The hosts have taken a lot of punishment in this championship and that may be a telling factor in the final quarter.
Something’s got to give, indeed.