FACE OFF MIKE ROSS ANDY HOWELL

Will Ir eland r et ain t he Si x Nations t i t le?

FORMER IRELAND PROP

Ireland’s strength in depth has been transformed in recent years and I expect them to back up last year’s Grand Slam with another title. Joe Schmidt has so many options that he can adjust his

team based on the opposition. James Ryan is phenomenal at 22.

Usually guys mature into second-row but he’s been outstanding from the get-go. His athleticism and the way he gets up to counter-ruck is not an easy thing to do

for a man of 6ft 8in. Ireland have won 18 of their last 19 Tests and in the last two years have beaten every other side in the world’s top ten. If you picked a World XV right now, half the side would be Irish: Furlong, Murray, Sexton, Healy, Ryan, Stockdale, probably O’Mahony. Joe will want to go out on a high note. Everything’s building towards the World Cup but the Six Nations is your bread and butter. Plus, the Six Nations is an audition for the World Cup. In the back of players’ minds will be, ‘If I play well I’ll be in a good position for the warm-ups’.

You can put credit in the bank now. The biggest threat? Wales. Sometimes

they seem to have Ireland’s number.

WALESONLINE RUGBY WRITER

Wales had a fantastic autumn and will go into the Six Nations full of confidence. This is the strongest squad they have had under Warren Gatland.

There were lots of pluses in the autumn: Adam Beard size-wise is a match for any lock in the world, Gareth Anscombe started to show what he can do at ten and Tomos Williams could force his way in at No 9.

Another to watch out for is Aaron Wainwright. Injury forced the Dragons to pick him and a handful of games later he’s playing for Wales. France away isn’t an easy start but Wales can certainly win in Paris, as they did in 2013 and 2015. It’s Italy next, so they could be on a roll when an England team still with problems visits Cardiff.

Wales have only lost once against Scotland since 2008, then it’s Ireland at home – and Wales have no hang-ups about playing the Irish. They’re tight games but if Wales can pick a strong pack, there’s no reason they can’t do the same job as two years ago (22-9).

A lot hinges on the opening game against France in Paris. Win that and I can see Wales winning a Grand Slam. There are plenty of nutrients and a bit of a kick in this team from Jane Jones from Stafford. Send your Alternative XV

to rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com

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