2025-02-21

Wales vs Ireland: Six Nations Betting Tips

Ireland are targeting an unprecedented third straight Six Nations title and can complete the latest leg by simultaneously sealing the Triple Crown with a win over Wales at 14:15 on Saturday.

Andy Farrell's absence as he prepares for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour to Australia has left Simon Easterby in temporary charge and he has masterminded convincing wins over England and Scotland.

Easterby lives in Wales and has been tipped as a potential successor to Warren Gatland, who left his head coach role by mutual consent following the defeats to France and Italy.

Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt will oversee the rest of their campaign and leads a team that has won four of the last five meetings between these teams in Cardiff.

However, even with Sherratt recalling some big names and Ireland switching things up, it is tough to see anything other than a convincing away victory.

Wales vs Ireland Betting Tips

Ireland to win by 21-30 points @ 27/10
Dan Sheehan (8/13), Mack Hansen (17/20) and Jamie Osborne (11/4) to score tries @ 10/1

Team news

Wales have made eight personnel and two positional changes, with Gareth Anscombe in at fly-half and Ben Thomas switching to his preferred 12 shirt.

Ellis Mee makes his debut on the wing, with Anscombe's Gloucester colleague Max Llewellyn partnering Thomas in the midfield.

Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John form a new-look front- row, while lock Dafydd Jenkins returns from illness and captain Jac Morgan switches to blindside flanker to accommodate Tommy Reffell's inclusion at openside.

Hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland and is one of seven changes. Prop Tom Clarkson makes his first start and fellow Leinster stars Joe McCarthy and Jack Conan are in at lock and number eight.

There are more Leinster recalls in the back-line, with Garry Ringrose at outside centre and Jamie Osborne named full-back, while Connacht's Mack Hansen is on the right wing.

Prop Jack Boyle and back-row Cian Prendergast - brother of fly-half Sam - are in line for their debuts off the bench.

Tip 1 – Ireland to win by 21-30 points @ 27/10

For other teams, making so many changes could lead to a slow start while the players get used to each other, but Hansen is the sole newcomer who does not play his club rugby for Leinster.

The combinations forged in Dublin may mean a fast opening quarter against a Wales side who themselves might take time to gel.

Easterby's visitors are -22 on the three-way handicap but 17/20 for that outcome feels a bit skinny, although something similar may not be too far off.

An Ireland win by 21-30 points is more than possible and they can seal the Triple Crown with plenty to spare.

Tip 2 – Dan Sheehan, Mack Hansen and Jamie Osborne to score tries @ 10/1

Ireland's incomings will want to play their part and three are involved in a nice try-scoring treble to look out for.

Sheehan might have started even without the injury to Ronan Kelleher and the hooker's skill in the tight and willingness to hold his width in the loose means he can justify short odds to go over, as he did against England.

Hansen has been a long-time favourite of Easterby and Andy Farrell and his ability to drift around the field in search of space could see him notch a 13th international try while Osborne adds extra value.

Often at centre or wing for Leinster, he could probably play fly-half, but it is at full-back where Ireland prefer him. He was brilliant against South Africa in the summer in Hugo Keenan's absence and, like Hansen, his in-game intelligence may provide a second Ireland score for the 23-year-old.

Match Odds: