Wales go into today’s Six Nations opener with Ireland on the back of seven straight defeats. Of course on paper that masks the fact that they ran Australia close in a couple of those games.
But they still appear to be on a downward spiral after the high of winning a third Grand Slam in seven years. The Welsh are out of the IRB’s Top Eight as a result of defeats to Argentina, Samoa and New Zealand in the end of year test series.
After previous Grand Slams, Wales have tended to go into a slump. In the wake of their 2005 triumph, they only beat Fiji by a solitary point in Cardiff and were soundly beaten by New Zealand and South Africa in the end of year tests. However they did manage to grind out a two point victory over Australia in the final test. Similarly in 2008, they were comfortably beaten by the All Blacks and the Springboks, before vanquishing the Wallabies again in the final test.
Injury worries
But in any case Wales’ Six Nations success has tended to come in cycles with the three Grand Slams of 2005 and 2008 sandwiched by bottom half finishes since the turn of the millennium, including a wooden spoon in 2003.
This time round the Welsh have major injury worries in the forward pack with Alun Wyn Jones, last year’s Player of the Tournament Dan Lydiate, Luke Charteris and Bradley Davis all either missing chunks of the tournament or its entirety.
Those concerns will be a major headache for head coach Warren Gatland. But it is the ex-Ireland boss’ own absences last year that were cited as a contributory factor to Wales’ problems - and he will also miss this year’s tournaments due to his Lions tour commitments. Current caretaker coach Rob Howley stepped into the breach during the Autumn tests and he will do so again for the Six Nations.
Gatland was missing from April to November after he underwent surgery on two broken heels following a freak accident in his home. That disruption at coaching may well have dented Wales’ rhythm.
But they will still be dangerous for Ireland, especially with home advantage.
Declan Kidney’s men last tasted victory over Wales at Croke Park in the 2010 Six Nations, with the men from the valley’s coming out on top in the last three meetings, including the quarter finals of the 2011 World Cup.
©INPHO/BIlly Stickland
