“I think Wales are going to have to play out of their skin to beat this Irish team, I really do…”
The challenge that lies in wait for the Welsh is not lost on their legends.
Shane Williams might’ve won the hearts of Irish people far and wide with his appearance on AIB GAA’s #TheToughest Trade on Wednesday night and he’s probably damn well won the unanimous admiration of Donegal Gaels with his four points for Glenswilly, but come next Friday in Cardiff, his loyalties won’t be questioned.
If you missed tonight's first episode of #TheToughest Trade, do not fear!! You can watch on our YouTube page ➡️ https://t.co/GSJLS2AzIO
— AIB_GAA (@AIB_GAA) March 1, 2017
Ireland head for Wales for the penultimate game of their Six Nations campaign and, with it, their title ambitions hang in the balance.
A win will set Joe Schmidt’s side up with a championship-decider at Lansdowne Road against none other than the English on St. Patrick’s weekend.
A win for the Irish is a potential reality that Williams is worried of.
“I just couldn't get over the fact these boys are amateur players and they were getting up at 6am to do weights” https://t.co/EUXdBeNok2
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 28, 2017
Asked by SportsJOE if there were any specific areas of the field that would concern Williams if he was still involved with the Welsh, the adopted Donegal man had too many to name.
“You know Ireland at the moment have such strength in depth,” he said.
“The front row is probably one of the best in world rugby at the moment. You’ve got McGrath and Furlong and if they don’t play well you’ve got Healy coming off the bench. It doesn’t really let up for you to be fair.
“So that area is one Wales will want to exploit. Scotland did in parts of the game but, against Ireland, that’s not going to work. The physicality of these boys… they’re strong.”
One of the best aspects of Ireland’s tournament to date has been the performance of the boys at 6, 7 and 8.
Sean O’Brien is back to his bulldozing best, Jamie Heaslip is gaining yards like it’s nobody’s business and CJ Stander? Jesus Christ, CJ stander. It’s not surprising to see the whole Irish backrow in the top four carriers so far.
2017 Six Nations carries (after 3 games):
- CJ Stander (Ireland) – 69 carries
- Jamie Heaslip (Ireland) – 54 carries
- Nathan Hughes (England) – 51 carries
- Sean O’Brien (Ireland) – 43 carries
- Louis Picamoles (France) – 40 carries
Williams, obviously, has noticed them too.
“The back row for Ireland is probably the best back row in the world,” he said.
“I’m a big O’Brien fan and CJ Stander is playing out of his skin. And Heaslip, he’s a world class 8 as well. At the moment he’s probably being overshadowed by those two and yet he’s still playing really well.
“That’s one place that perhaps Wales are strong in the back row so you know that going to be interesting.”
It didn’t end there. How could it without a mention of the two best?
And Williams didn’t hold back in his praise for Johnny Sexton or Conor Murray.
“Your man Sexton, he seems to have come fit at the right time, unfortunately for Wales.
“He played out of his skin at the weekend and himself and Murray as a combo are probably the best combination in the world at the moment.
“So are there weaknesses? There are bound to be weaknesses. I think Scotland proved that against them in the first game but I think Ireland learned from that straight away. Scotland were exploiting the wide areas with quick flat ball but they’ve learned from that straight away and that’s a sign of a good team.”
It is a decent team in fairness. A front row and back row and a half back pairing amongst the best in the world only emphasises that.
