Irish may have the edge but Wales World Cup hopefuls have plenty to prove today
TWO mix-and-match sides will take the field at Cardiff today when Wales face Ireland in a Rugby World Cup warm-up clash.
The Irish cruised to a 35-21 victory when the countries met in a similar fixture at the same venue four years ago.
But this time they are coming off a Twickenham trouncing against England, while Wales beat the same opposition a week earlier.
We assess the head-to-heads for the match at the Principality Stadium...
Hallam Amos 7 v 6 Will Addison:
It’s moment-of-truth time for Amos. With one back-three place probably left to be claimed in Wales’ squad for the World Cup, he could be forgiven for believing a convincing performance would seal the deal. He has the class to take the opportunity. Few spoke of Addison as a potential international during his seven seasons at Sale, but the versatile back has proven quite a hit since joining Ulster.
Owen Lane 6 v 7 Andrew Conway
Lane has plenty of promise and will trouble Ireland if given opportunities with ball in hand. The new cap is unproven at this level and will need to be switched on defensively.
He will also need to be wary of trying too hard on his debut, but that he has potential is not in doubt.
Conway repeatedly delivers for Munster and is a strong performer in the PRO14.
The 28-year-old remains on the fringes at Test level, but the hosts would be wise not to give him chances.
Scott Williams 7 v 6 Chris Farrell
Anyone who remembers Scott Williams’ debut for the Ospreys against Edinburgh last season would be in no doubt what the signing from the Scarlets offers to a side.
There was an assurance about him that night, a control that rubbed off on those around him. Injuries subsequently ruined his campaign, but he remains a significant asset to a side.
Farrell keeps defences honest with his powerful carrying. Maybe it would have been a good idea for Ireland to have had him around at Twickenham a week ago. But hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Owen Watkin 7 v 7 Bundee Aki
It is still early days for Watkin on the international stage but if Wales can get the former schoolboy fly-half on the ball he can make things happen.
He is also a master at stripping the ball in the tackle to earn priceless turnover possession for his side.
Aki wasn’t the worst as Ireland subsided to defeat against England.
Indeed, it said much for the Connacht man that he emerged with a measure of credit after such a shambolic team display.
He is a player Wales will respect.
Steff Evans 6 v 7 Jacob Stockdale
This is an interesting one. Evans is capable of taking the breath away with his creativity but he endured a difficult 2018-19 when questions were raised about his defence.
But in attack he is a gem of a player. Stockdale’s progress in Test rugby had been serene.
But he endured a traumatic afternoon in defence against England at Twickenham. Let’s say Stockdale’s stock fell somewhat.
Jarrod Evans 6 v 6 Jack Carty
If this were about potential, Evans would have a seven or an eight, for he clearly has huge promise and something different.
But we don’t yet know if he can press the right buttons in international rugby, where everything is a thousand miles quicker and impacts can be immeasurably greater.
The gut feeling is he has the wits and skills to cope. It’s also a first start on the Test scene for Carty.
Earlier in his career, the ability to nail every tackle wasn’t among his plus points.
But his defence has improved and Ireland will look to him to point the way forward.
Aled Davies 6 v 6 Kieran Marmion
Davies has been quietly having a decent summer, catching the eye with his appearances off the bench and leading some to see him as a serious alternative to Gareth Davies.
One of his defensive interventions against England saved a try and he does add snap even if his old Scarlets colleague is more explosive.
Marmion has operated in the shadow of Conor Murray, with just seven starts in 26 Tests, but when he featured against New Zealand last autumn, with Murray injured, he outplayed Aaron Smith.
It’s a big ask to make that his default setting, but consistency is key at Test level.
Rhys Carre 6 v 6 John Ryan
Two players at the opposite ends of their careers.
The 6ft 3in, 20st 7lb Carre is only 21 but has huge potential and has turned heads with his immense carrying.
Can he scrummage to this standard? Is he ready right now for Test rugby?
We are about to find out. The 31-year-old Ryan has had to be patient behind Tadhg Furlong at international level, while Andrew Porter has provided further competition.
Ryan Elias 6 v 6 Niall Scannell
Elias must sometimes feel he is destined forever to remain in the shadows.
But when he had a run for the Scarlets in their PRO12 title-winning season of 2016-17, with Ken Owens injured, he stepped up to the mark with some assurance.
He just needs rugby, and a lot of it.
The only way is surely up for Ireland here after their line-out shambles against England, when their set-piece was destroyed by Maro Itoje and George Kruis.
Scannell can also add a bit in the scrum, where he is renowned for his solidity.
He will look to engage the form of 2018, when he had a storming tour of Australia.
Samson Lee 7 v 7 Dave Kilcoyne
More than anything the injury-plagued Lee needs to bank some minutes on the field. But he showed with a strong display against Italy in the Six Nations he still has plenty to offer.
Wales’ scrum problems in the first two games of their warm-up campaign offer him the opportunity to reassert himself and apply pressure on Tomas Francis.
Kilcoyne is consistently a handful in the PRO14 but injuries and fate have limited his Test starts to six at the age of 30.
He is a hard worker who can be relied on to put in a shift and Wales will need to match his effort around the field.
Adam Beard 7 V 8 Iain Henderson
Beard tasted defeat for the first time at Test level when Wales lost against England at Twickenham.
He will be determined to bounce back and how he performs in opposition to James Ryan will be a good yardstick. Is Henderson a lock or a back rower?
Probably a back rower, but he can do a job in the second row and his expertise at the breakdown will add to Ireland’s threats in that area. He can also carry.
Bradley Davies 7 V 8 James Ryan
Davies hasn’t played a lot of Test rugby of late, but he impressed during the Ospreys’ post-Six Nations surge last season and hasn’t won 64 caps by chance.
He is a different sort of lock from his opponent but if the hard-grafting former Cardiff Blue is at his best, Ryan will know he’s been in a game. That said, Ryan is a player who is building a reputation. A thoroughly modern lock, the 6ft 8in Leinster star covers a lot of ground, carries strongly and is a force at line-outs. In Ireland, he’s been compared to Paul O’Connell. Not much more needs to be said.
Aaron Shingler 7 V 7 Tadhg Beirne
It’s a big afternoon for Shingler as he makes his first start in close on 15 months.
But he showed enough as a replacement against England to suggest he is quietly moving up the gears.
On top of his game, he is an excellent player, athletic and one who contributes so much to a team. Welsh fans will not need reminding what Beirne can do after his time with the Scarlets. His three previous starts for Ireland have been at lock, but he often excelled at blindside during his stint in west Wales , with his wonderful ability to turn ball over. If Wales allow him to boss matters at the breakdown, they will be in trouble.
James Davies 7 V 7 Peter O’Mahony
Davies saw his opportunity to make a mark against England dashed by a head injury that forced him off early.
Injuries have plagued him for too long, but if he can find his best form he remains a special player, one who can transform matches with his awareness, expertise at the breakdown and outstanding support play. O’Mahony is widely seen as a six-and-a-half in Ireland and is coming off the back of a nightmarish afternoon for the green shirts against England. But the Munster mongrel remains a difficult customer to play against. He disrupts, turns over opposition possession at rucks and line-outs. Oh, and he is as tough as leather. Is he better at No. 6? Many think so.
Josh Navidi 8 V 8 Jack Conan
Navidi made a strong impact off the bench against England in Cardiff and has become seriously important to the squad. He puts himself in harm’s way, has the contacts skills of a No. 7, grafts and has courage to spare. He is also a terrific team man and unassuming with it.
Operating at No. 8, he will hope to lead from the front as he takes over the armband. After CJ Stander’s quiet effort last week, the big ball-carrier that is Conan see will this as a significant opportunity.
“I think he’s the best No. 8 in Ireland,” said Jamie Heaslip this week.
For anyone in any doubt, that’s a decent endorsement.
Totals: WALES 100 IRELAND 102