Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’RE IN THIS FIGHT AS WELL
RHYS PRIESTLAND reckons Six Nations chiefs’ plans for a big St Patrick’s Day finale has handed Wales all the motivation they’ll need in Dublin.
Having earned a Test recall last autumn, Priestland is missing this campaign due to a torn tendon in his hamstring that he suffered while playing for Bath against his former club Scarlets last month.
But he predicts Warren Gatland’s men will come out all guns firing over the way the championship has been scheduled.
“They feel like they have been completely written off in Wales and that everyone has just put in Ireland and England as the top two teams in the competition,” said Priestland.
“I’m convinced that it would have fired them up last week. I think they shocked England a little, with all the injuries they had, so it will definitely be motivation this week.”
Priestland firmly believes that Wales have Ireland’s number, with Saturday’s hosts managing only two wins from their last seven Six Nations encounters.
“I think they’ve got a plan in place to keep Ireland quiet,” he added. “Wales will feel they are pretty well matched up.”
Priestland is especially looking forward to seeing Dan Biggar go up against fellow Lion Johnny Sexton in the battle of the No10s.
“They’re ultimate competitors and that can be infectious for the rest of the team,” he said.
“When you see those two fellas firing up the others, getting stuck into tackles, going up for high balls, the rest of the team can thrive off that.”
Everyone has put in England & Ireland as top 2 teams