IRE-BREATHING DRAGONS ARE A DANGER NOW

IT has been born out of necessity, created to keep international rugby alive through coronavirus.

But try telling Wales the Autumn Nations Cup is a contrived tournament of zero consequence.

In Dublin this evening Wayne Pivac’s side kick off the competition against Ireland. Losing does not bear thinking about.

It would put them behind the eight ball in a pool containing Six Nations champions England as well as minnows Georgia, with the pool winner advancing to next month’s Twickenham final to face the top dog out of France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.

But of more immediate concern to the World Cup semi-finalists, it would be a sixth straight loss since Pivac took over from Warren Gatland. “This tournament is vital for Wales to get the show back on the road,” admitted Wales midfield great Jamie Roberts (above).

“Test rugby is about winning, let’s not dress it up as anything else. It’s about winning games and Wales haven’t done that.”

Not since 2013 have the Dragons lost six in a row and the cracks are starting to appear. Defence coach Byron Hayward this week paid with his job for 16 tries conceded in five games.

“Losing can become a habit,” said Roberts. “The pressure comes on and you can’t hide from it because there is no hiding place in Test rugby. You have to front up.

“Wales have taken a lot of flak and the boys are hurting. At times like this you either sink or swim. You embrace it or you let it get on top of you and it becomes a downward spiral.”

Ireland: J Stockdale; H Keenan, C Farrell, R Henshaw, J Lowe; J Sexton, J Gibson-park; C Healy, R Kelleher, A Porter, I Henderson, J Ryan, O’mahony, J van der Flier, C Doris.

L Halfpenny; L Williams, J Davies, O Watkin, J Adams; D Biggar, G Davies; R Carre, R Elias, T Francis, W Rowlands, AW

Jones, S Lewis-hughes, J Tipuric, T Faletau.