Six Nations 2012: Ireland vs Wales Odds and Betting Preview

DUBLIN, IRELAND - The 2012 RBS Six Nations continues this Sunday as Ireland begin their campaign with a mouth-watering clash against Wales at the Aviva. The Irish are the favourites for the encounter at a best price of 8/15 with Stan James. Wales can be backed at 2/1 with Paddy Power to come away with the spoils whilst an unlikely tie is a 22/1 chance at Bet365.

Ireland will be seeking revenge this weekend as they come face to face with the Welsh side that knocked them out of the World Cup in Wellington twelve weeks ago. Declan Kidney will field a very similar side to that which lined up in that quarter-final with the notable omissions of fly-half Ronan O’Gara, replaced by Jonathon Sexton, and talismanic captain Brian O’Driscoll, who will miss the entire tournament with a shoulder injury.

Leinster’s Fergus McFadden will be the man faces with the unenviable task of filling the void of O’Driscoll at outside center after Keith Earls withdrew from the squad due to personal reasons. Ireland have won each of their last seven Six Nations openers and will be hoping for another positive start to the campaign on Sunday as they target their first championship since 2009.

After an outstanding World Cup, Wales will have high hopes of claiming their first Six Nations triumph since 2008 as they get underway in Dublin on Sunday. Warren Gatland’s side were mightily impressive in New Zealand before bowing out in the semi-final stages but will field a much changed line-up this weekend after being hit by several injuries to their starting XV in the build up to the match.

Gethin Jenkins, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate and Matthew Rees are all out for the encounter whilst legendary winger Shane Williams has retired from International Rugby. Despite the numerous injuries, the Welsh still have more than enough talent to mount a serious challenge to win the competition and will be boosted by the returns of key duo Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland from injury.

In the handicap markets, Ireland are an even money chance to win the game by six points or more with Ladbrokes whilst Wales are even money shot with Betfred to win the match with a three and a half point handicap.

Ireland/Ireland is the favourite in the Half-Time/Full-Time market at a best price of even money with Bet365 whilst Wales/Wales is a 10/3 shot at Betfred. Ireland can be backed to be trailing at the interval and go on to win the match at 8/1 with Boylesports whilst Draw/Ireland is a 20/1 chance at SkyBet.

Ireland winger Tommy Bowe, who has scored nine tries in eighteen appearances in the competition, heads the first tryscorer market alongside fellow winger Andrew Trimble at a best price of 11/1 with SkyBet. Young Scarlet Blues winger Alex Cuthbert, who takes over for Shane Williams on the right wing, is Wales’ top chance in the market at 14/1 with Boylesports whilst full back Leigh Halpenny is a 20/1 chance to grab the opening try with William Hill.

Ireland are currently ranked as joint third-favourites for the competition, behind both Wales and France, at a best price of 9/2 with Stan James and are a 12/1 chance for the Grand Slam with Paddy Power. Wales are a 7/2 chance with Boylesports to win their third ever Six Nations trophy and are 10/1 shot to win the Grand Slam with Bet365. 

The Match is scheduled to Kick Off at 1500 GMT with live coverage on BBC 1.

Ireland vs Wales Match Result Betting
Ireland vs Wales Match Handicap Betting
Ireland vs Wales Half-Time/Full-Time Betting
Ireland vs Wales First Tryscorer Betting
Six Nations 2012 Tournament Winner
Six Nations 2012 Grand Slam Winner