Saturday’s trip to Cardiff is the next obstacle standing the way of an Irish Grand Slam, but if past meetings are anything to go by it will be anything but a straightforward trip to the principality
As England have toiled and France have flailed, Ireland and Wales have shared five of the last seven Six Nations titles and while fans from both sides have been treated to some thrilling encounters, each game between the sides has been played out against the backdrop of an increasingly fraught on-field rivalry.
The teams have shared the spoils in the last four meetings, with Mike Phillips’ controversial try the key moment in Wales’ 2011 win. The Dragon roared again in Dublin the following year as George North spent the day bouncing off Irish tacklers as the visitors scraped a 23-21 victory en route to a Grand Slam.
Ireland returned the favour in Cardiff in 2013, with a trademark ‘how did he do that?’ pass and Simon Zebo’s sensational backheel helping Ireland into a 30-6 lead. Wales launched a ferocious comeback that fell seven points short.
There was to be no fightback last season at the Aviva, though, as Ireland mauled their way to back-to-back wins over Wales, with a 26-3 victory that proved crucial as the hosts went on to win the title on points difference.
Can the lads make it three in a row this year?
