Warren Gatland has called on his Wales team to use their experience to deal with an expected aerial assault from Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
Wales have made three changes from the side that lost 12-6 at Twickenham in the last round, with each one aimed at adding to their kicking game in defence and attack. Leigh Halfpenny, who pulled out of the team to face England the day before the match with a foot infection, returns at full-back. Liam Williams replaces Josh Adams on the wing after proving his fitness for Saracens and Dan Biggar takes over from Rhys Priestland at fly-half after returning from a shoulder injury ahead of schedule.
“We had a good discussion about the back three and whether to play Dan at 10,” said Gatland, who on Saturday will take charge of Wales for the 100th time, 20 years to the day since he was appointed the head coach of Ireland. “We talked about combinations and bringing experience back into the side. The beauty of having experienced players is that having had limited rugby they are easier to throw into a situation like this. It would be different with a younger player who had not had much game time.
“We thought our kicking game against Scotland was very good but disappointing at Twickenham. We were not great in the air and it was probably the difference between the teams. Ireland have got an excellent kicking game and their half-back combination is one of the best in world rugby.”
Gatland becomes only the second head coach in the history of international rugby to reach three figures for one country and he will pass his compatriot, and former Wales coach, Sir Graham Henry’s record of 103, but he is more concerned with the future than the past.
“It’s a nice milestone but it’s just something to reflect back on,” he said. “This weekend is about the performance and the result in a must-win game for us.” Asked if he agreed that Ireland looked the strongest side in the tournament in the opening two rounds, he said: “No; England are a tough outfit.”
