“Everything to play for Ireland, everything to gain for Wales.”
This is Ladbrokes ambassador Stephen Ferris’ take on tomorrow’s opening Six Nations clash.
Speaking to Balls, the ex-Ireland flanker and was adamant in his view that the 14 point handicap in favour of Ireland is too high, and that a bet on Wales at +14 is the one to go with in the bookies.
Despite the prevailing confidence for a comfortable Irish victory, that appears to be in the air, Ferris is wary of the threat that Wales pose, regardless of their large injury list and the poor form of their regions.
He singled out the young Dragons back-row Taine Besham for significant praise, as well as Welsh captain Dan Biggar, whose fight and tenacity he feels will inspire the rest of his side.
Ferris has quite literally experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows against Wales in past Six Nations.
In 2009 he started in the Grand Slam winning game in Cardiff, while in 2012 he played in a two point loss in the Aviva where he conceded a penalty in the final play which gave Wales a shot at goal and the win.
The tip tackle by Ferris that gave Wales their last play penalty in the 2012 Six Nations.
Speaking on the loss in 2012 and the penalty, he believes that we will see similar instances, in this Six Nations, of games and trophies being decided by the smallest of margins.
Something that’s going to pop its head up again in this Six Nations is the controversial decisions, the swings in momentum during the game.
Referees are obviously scrutinised week in week out, but like that was the first game back in 2012 and Wales went on to win a Grand Slam, and we got beaten by two points, and if we had won that game could we have kicked on and gathered some momentum, and actually fought and challenged for the Six Nations trophy ourselves, and the answer is probably yes.
It’s the small, fine margins and moments at the highest level of any sport.
It is hard to disagree with Ferris given how last year’s Six Nations panned out. With controversial cards and TMO decisions, the tournament was indeed influenced by the small margins, allowing the un-fancied underdogs Wales to bring home the trophy.
Wales will also be able to take inspiration from Cardiff’s victory over Leinster last weekend, and an encouraging performance from the Scarlets in their loss to Ulster.
While an Irish win tomorrow is still the likely outcome, pundits and fans are right to be wary of the Welsh threat.
See Also: Paul O'Connell Did Not Remember Scoring His First Try For Ireland
