DAI US A FAVOUR.. Joe hopes for Welsh win to keep title alive

JOE SCHMIDT is looking for a Welsh favour ahead of his side’s march on Rome tomorrow.

Ireland’s title defence now most likely hinges on Warren Gatland’s men beating England in Cardiff today. And Schmidt believes it’s a different England that the hosts will face from the side that were rampant against the holders in Dublin. He said: “I’m very much looking forward to watching the game. “As much as I felt England thoroughly deserved to win against us, I’m not sure in the aftermath there was quite the space of difference between the teams that was written up. “The only way we can demonstrate that is maybe the next time we play England – or in these next three games we can demonstrate that, ‘Hey, we haven’t gone away’.”

Schmidt is clear that England will not be the same dynamic force that propelled them to a rousing bonus point victory at Lansdowne Road.

“I don’t think Wales are playing the same team without Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola,” stressed the Kiwi. “There were obviously other guys who performed behind that but it’s an opportunity for

Wales minus those two guys.”

He also feels home advantage will serve

Wales well. Schmidt said: “Wales have a pretty good record at home and take pride in being really tough to beat at that Principality Stadium.

“We’ve gone there with good teams and not managed to do it because, for every inch, you ‘ve got to fight so hard.

“They’ll endeavour to do exactly that. I think it’s going to be a really interesting battle. I don’t think Wales will give England the entry points in the air that we gave them.

“Maybe that’s us being a little too disciplined, especially when you see it’s something that’s not really being sanctioned.

“It’s got to be something you solve during a game but I’m pretty sure the Welsh have had a good look at that and have solutions lined up.”

Meanwhile, the code to stifling Ireland has been uncovered claims former Ulster and Leinster coach Matt Williams (inset) who thinks Schmidt’s side are too predictable.

“It was coming though,” Williams told The Irish Mirror.

“They have certainly been analysed and it seemed to start on the Australia tour.

“They did a very good job of coming up with a game plan Ireland didn’t like, only to shoot themselves in the foot by giving away penalty after penalty.

“The All Blacks almost had them, then Eddie Jones figured out what to do with them. Ireland are going to have to adapt.”