Wales vs Ireland Prediction: Ringrose and Irish to punish hosts

Ireland are firmly on the march towards an unprecedented third straight Six Nations title and they will be expected to take care of a Welsh side now under the tutelage of interim head coach Matt Sherratt, for this Cardiff showdown.

Enda McElhinney provides his best bets in his Wales vs Ireland prediction piece, as well as all the essential team news and match odds.

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Like the Welsh, Ireland are under the guidance of an interim coach in Simon Easterby, though for vastly different reasons as Andy Farrell focuses on the British & Irish Lions job this summer, whereas Wales hastily dispensed with Warren Gatland after suffering a record 14th successive Test defeat.

Easterby makes seven changes from the side that beat Scotland. Skipper Caelan Doris misses out with injury so hooker Dan Sheehan captains the team in his first start of the tournament.

Joe McCarthy comes back in at lock and Jack Conan is in at number eight after some fine displays off the bench.

Centre Garry Ringrose, wing Mack Hansen and full-back Jamie Osborne start behind a scrum that includes a new cap in tighthead prop Thomas Clarkson.

Scarlets wing Ellis Mee will make his Wales debut while fly-half Gareth Anscombe and centre Max Llewellyn return to the starting XV as part of eight changes made by Sherratt following defeat to Italy before Gatland's exit.

Anscombe, 33, hasn't started a Six Nations game since being named Man of the Match as Wales secured the Grand Slam against Ireland six years ago.

His Gloucester team-mate Llewellyn also comes back into the starting side and will partner Ben Thomas in midfield.

A new-look starting front-row trio of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John are joined by Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins, while Tommy Reffell joins fellow flanker and captain Jac Morgan alongside number eight Taulupe Faletau in the back row.

Wales vs Ireland Odds

Ireland are handsome favourites at 1/66 while the hosts Wales are 12/1 outsiders for this Cardiff clash. The three-way handicap is set at 22-points, with either side backable at 20/21, while Ireland are 7/5 giving up a 26-point start.

Ireland Match Handicap -26 @ 7/5

Welsh rugby is in a poor place right now and a visit from Ireland is going to offer little in the way of a reprieve.

It can be expected that the Dragons will show some fight and spirit, while Ireland have opted for plenty of changes in personnel.

The trouble for Wales is that the quality Easterby is bringing in should strike fear into his beleaguered squad.

The last three Six Nations meetings have resulted in Ireland winning by 22, 24 and 24 points, with Wales managing just 24 points in those games combined.

They are at an even lower ebb again now and were 43-0 losers against France in their opener. With some of this Irish team determined to impress in starting jerseys, another wide-margin win for the team in green beckons.

Garry Ringrose anytime tryscorer @ 7/4

A shoulder problem meant Garry Ringrose's involvement in the Six Nations last season was restricted to a second-half cameo in the final game against Scotland.

The 30-year-old has won 65 Test caps in green and is a hugely influential player. Ringrose should be in celebratory mood after penning a new IRFU deal last week.

He crossed the paint against France, England and Scotland in his last proper Six Nations campaign and with Ireland set to run up a decent score, the Leinster centre can help himself to a 16^th international try.

Offers

Saturday: Place a Pre-Match single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on England v Scotland on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play England v Scotland. (Credited upon Bet Placement)

Double Delight: Get double your odds if your winning First Tryscorer bet goes on to score another try in the 6 Nations!

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights