Tactics talk: Wales have homework done as they nullify Ireland’s set-piece threat

▲1 Ireland win a scrum in the middle of the pitch, just inside the Wales half and set up with Garry Ringrose (red) directly behind it and Johnny Sexton (yellow) on the left.

What is interesting here is how well the Welsh defence communicate with each other as if they know what to expect. Note how both Dan Biggar and Jonathan Davies (blue) are communicating with their team-mates in anticipation of what is to come.

◀2 Ireland launch a dummy switch off the scrum with Conor Murray playing the ball back to Bundee Aki (blue), who stepped in as first receiver with Ringrose (red) arcing on his outside. Murray and Sexton (yellow) have set off on two ambitious support lines in the hope that Ireland will make the line-break.

Jacob Stockdale (black) shows a bit of animation on the left wing, which is enough to keep Liam Williams occupied, but the Welsh defence are well prepared for the switch.

Davies (orange) sweeps around, while Josh Navidi (pink) does really well to read the play as he shoots off the line to close down Ringrose.

▶3 Murray and Sexton’s trail runs (yellow) have come to nothing, even though Hadleigh Parkes (orange) spots the potential danger and again communicates with those around him.

Davies and Josh Adams (black) have Earls and Rob Kearney well marshalled on the outside.

Ireland are hoping for Aki to play the ball to Ringrose, but that option is quickly made redundant by Navidi’s outstanding read (red).

Aki (blue) turns back inside only to be smashed by another brilliant read, this time from the inspirational Alun Wyn Jones. The move breaks down and seconds later Sexton boots a towering kick out on the full to sum up Ireland’s inaccuracies.