Claim your £50 free bet at Ladbrokes

Ireland will start as 3/10 favourites (Stan James) to beat Wales as they look to keep their 6 Nations title aspirations alive. 

Following victory over England, Ireland’s title odds are 14/1 with Paddy Power but they still need France to slip up at some stage to have any change of retaining their crown.

Unchanged from the side that beat England, Ireland look to have a settled team and with home advantage and are rightly favourites.  However it could be said that Ireland have yet to really show the form that saw them win the Grand Slam last season. A solid if unspectacular victory against Italy was followed by a heavy defeat against France before a narrow win over England.  Wales’ only other visit to Croke Park in 2008 saw Warren Gatland’s men win 16-12 on their way to a Grand Slam. 

After two defeats Welsh hopes for the title have all but gone.  If Wales are to overcome the odds of 7/2 (Sporting Bet) to win they will surely need to start playing in the first half for a change rather than giving their opponents a hefty lead.  A total of 12 first half points have been scored by Wales in their previous three games while they have conceded 51 points before the refs half time whistle.  After a comeback of Lazarus style proportions against Scotland, Wales fell just short against France after giving them an even bigger head start, which at least proves there is nothing wrong with the fitness of the Welsh side. Totesport offer 11/1 for Wales to overcome a half time deficit to take the game.

Even though captain Ryan Jones misses out through injury, Gloucester skipper Gareth Delve (40/1 with Sporting Bet to score the first try) is a more than decent replacement and has been in good form this year.  His extra bulk in the back row could give Wales the more effective ball carrier they seem to have been missing in recent games.  If Wales don’t treat the first half as a warm up session they could stun the Irish and come away with a 6-10 point win which is 12/1 with Ladbrokes.

With all eight starting three quarters featuring at some stage last summer’s Lions there is the potential for some open attacking back play on show.  The Lions’ excellent centre partnership of Brian O’Driscoll, who will win his 100th Irish cap against Wales, and Jamie Roberts will come face to face and are 12/1 (Paddy Power) and 20/1 (Ladbrokes) respectively to score the first try.  Another meeting of old friends sees Ospreys team mates Tommy Bowe and Shane Williams on opposing wings. Unsurprisingly these two lead the first try scorer market with Bowe 9/1 with Bet Fred while 888sport offer Williams at 12/1. 
Bowe (7/2 Ladbrokes) and Williams (3/1 Ladbrokes) also lead the betting for tournament top try scorer.  Both players are among a leading group with two tries so far.