Five key battles ahead of the Wales v Ireland game

Alun Wyn Jones v Paul O’Connell

It will be some contest in Cardiff on Saturday with two of the best locks in World Rugby going up against each other. In what could be O’Connell’s last 6 Nations campaign, he would love to finish with a Grand Slam but Wyn Jones and Wales stand in their way. The pair proved to be a very successful second-row partnership for the British and Irish Lions in 2009 and 2013 so they will know each others game quite well and will look to exploit each others weaknesses.

Sam Warburton v Sean O’Brien

Both were originally doubts for the game but they are likely to play from the start on Saturday. Warburton will captain his side for a record 34th time with Wales looking to keep alive their chances of securing the championship. As for O’Brien he has been unlucky with injuries in this years tournament. He was injured in the warm-up before the Italy game and only lasted 26 minutes against England after suffering a knock to the head. It will be an interesting battle between the two with Warburton looking to win his side turnovers from the breakdown while also putting in countless amount of tackles, while O’Brien will look for go forward ball and cause the Welsh defence problems all afternoon.

Dan Biggar v Jonathan Sexton

One of the best 10’s in the Pro12 comes up against one of, if not the best outhalf in the game at the moment. With Ireland and Joe Schmidt deploying a kicking game, Sexton is crucial to Ireland’s success and after brilliant performances against England and France, Schmidt will be hoping for more of the same from the Racing Metro player. After years of battling for the number 10 jersey, Biggar is now Wales first choice outhalf and was the matchwinner with a try against France. It will be a tough contest to see who comes out on top, but if Sexton plays like he has in the last two games it will be tough to see Biggar and Wales winning the game.

Jonathan Davies v Jared Payne

With Ireland having an impressive defensive record so far in the tournament, Jared Payne will look to continue it as he comes against Jonathan Davies. Davies has scored three tries in his last four games against Ireland and Payne who kept Jonathan Joseph quiet in round 3 will look to do the same on Saturday.

Leigh Halfpenny v Rob Kearney

It will be an interesting contest on Saturday with two of Europe’s best fullbacks going head to head. With Ireland’s kicking game proving to be successful in this year’s championship we will be expected to see a lot of aerial battles between these two throughout the game. Apart from dealing with many high balls there will be extra pressure on Halfpenny with his goalkicking, but at the moment it doesn’t seem to phase him as he seems to never miss.

Ciaran Fallon