The Irish, defending champions, defeated France (38-17) and Italy (36-0) at the start of the Tournament and sent a powerful message to the competition: yes, they have digested their disappointment at the 2023 World Cup. , finished in the quarter-finals, and claim their succession more than ever.
Wales goes to Dublin with two narrow defeats, against Scotland (27-26) and England (16-14), and with a team in reconstruction, rejuvenated due to numerous absences of weight . But there is no question of presenting oneself as an expiatory victim.
“We have to create chaos,” said Rob Howley, one of coach Warren Gatland’s assistants. “The challenge for us is to make it as difficult as possible for them, every minute we can do it, and to give them different problems.”
The battle plan is clear: thwart Ireland, “be clinical and ruthless” at every opportunity, and hold out for 80 minutes. Looking at the statistics, however, the Welsh are beaten in advance in Dublin, where they have not won since 2012 in the Tournament.
Uncompromising at home, with 38 victories in their last 40 matches, Ireland is aiming for an eleventh success in a row in the Tournament on Saturday, a record that it would share with England in 2017.
Scotland welcomes its “Auld Enemy”, England, for the 131st edition of the Calcutta Cup, the trophy embracing the oldest rivalry in world rugby. It is “the biggest match of the season”, and “the most important for our supporters”, recognized coach Gregor Townsend.
The XV du Chardon will have a double motivation this year: to extend its series of victories in the Tournament against the XV de la Rose, beaten from 2021 to 2023, and to block its path to the title, or even the Grand Slam, in 2024.
Because the English arrive at Murrayfield buoyed by two successes, admittedly narrow, in Italy (27-24) and against Wales (16-14). A third in Scotland would keep alive hopes of winning the Tournament for the first time since 2020.
Coach Steve Borthwick must cope without his scrum-half Alex Mitchell, out due to injury and replaced by the experienced Danny Care (37 years old, 99th selection), but he recovers the powerful center Ollie Lawrence (24 years old, 22 sel.).
The Bath player leaves the infirmary, to which he has been confined since the end of January, and recovers the N.12 jersey at the expense of Fraser Dingwall. At his side, Henry Slade retains his position.
The program for the 3rd day:
Saturday: (3:15 p.m.) Ireland-Wales (5:45 p.m.) Scotland-England
Sunday: (4:00 p.m.) France-Italy
