Betting predictions for Ireland vs Wales: Six Nations tips and odds

Our betting expert has three Ireland vs Wales tips for Saturday’s Six Nations rugby union match at the Aviva Stadium (2.15pm kick-off). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.

Ireland vs Wales betting tips

• Ireland to win by 21 to 30 points @ 11/8 with BoyleSports
• Ireland to be leading by eight to 14 points at half-time @ 1/1 with BoyleSports
• Jamison Gibson-Park to score a try @ 13/8 with BoyleSports

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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Ireland defence could be biggest challenge to Wales

Wales coach Warren Gatland tried to stay upbeat after his young side were beaten narrowly by England at Twickenham in round two, but this game against the Irish in Dublin is a huge step up.

Ireland have won 19 of their past 20 Six Nations matches while the Welsh have just one victory in their previous 10. And the Irish are a fearsome proposition at home, having lost just once at the Aviva Stadium since Andy Farrell took over as head coach in 2019, and that was in 2021.

They have recorded bonus-point wins in their past six home Six Nations matches and have been handicap winners in nine of their previous 10 Six Nations games at home.

The line for Saturday’s match has been pushed up to 24 points, the biggest start Wales have received on the road since 2004 when they faced the newly crowned world champions England at Twickenham.

Wales stayed within the line that day, losing 31-21, and have been handicap winners in both their matches this year and in eight of their previous Six Nations fixtures on the road.

But the biggest challenge they look to face in this game is getting points on the board against an overpowering Irish defence.

Ireland have shipped just 17 points in the Six Nations this year, winning to nil against Italy in round two, and have conceded the fewest points in the tournament in the past two years.

Last year in Cardiff, Ireland beat Wales 34-10, shipping just one try, while they were 29-7 victors the previous time the teams met in Dublin two years ago.

Both those triumphs fell in the 21-to-30-point band and that looks a good margin to focus on in this encounter. The Welsh have lost a lot of experienced players but the fighting spirit they have shown is in their favour.

Ireland vs Wales tip 1: Ireland to win by 21 to 30 points @ 11/8 with BoyleSports

Measured approach works for Ireland

The odds are just 11-10 that Ireland are 15 points or more to the good by half-time but slow and steady could be the way for the hosts.

It is hard to look for patterns in the Irish performances this year, given that they have faced their toughest fixture in round one and their easiest in round two.

Wales have been wildly inconsistent, failing to score a point in the first half against Scotland first time out and then scoring all their points before the break against England.

But they showed real tenaciousness in defence against the English, and competed hard at the breakdown. If they can carry on in that vein away from home again, they can ensure their opponents are not running away with it at the halfway stage.

Ireland vs Wales tip 2: Ireland to be leading by eight to 14 points at half-time @ 1/1 with BoyleSports

Gibson-Park can cash in on set-piece strength

One area where Wales do look vulnerable in this fixture is up front, and the Irish will surely look to build some scrum dominance.

There are a number of back-row players who could be in the right place to bag a try if Ireland are fighting it out close to the line.

But there is also scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, who bagged the opening Irish try against France in round one, and the New Zealand-born Leinster man looks a decent price to get on the scoresheet again.

Ireland vs Wales tip 3: Jamison Gibson-Park to score a try @ 13/8 with BoyleSports

Ireland vs Wales odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.