Wales begin their Six Nations defence with a trip to Dublin as Wayne Pivac seeks to prove the doubters wrong in this campaign.
The extent of the holders' injury list is one that no sporting fan wants to see but Pivac is tasked with putting forward a solid title defence with seven key players missing.
Totalling an incredible 657 combined caps, Wales will be missing skipper Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owen, George North, Justin Tipuric, Josh Navidi and Taulupe Faletau - all these players have fallen foul to lengthy injury setbacks.
This time last year there were doubts over Andy Farrell's ability to improve Ireland's gameplay from the defensive and cautious approach we have seen in recent years and has hardly paid in dividends in the championship.
But within the last year they have proven they can, in fact, play a far more direct approach after picking up strong wins against Japan twice and USA without some key players who were on Lions duty.
They later thrashed Argentina 53-7 before picking up the scalp that is New Zealand in an incredible match which finished 29-20.
Prediction for Ireland vs Wales
If history were to tell us anything, this fixture will be a close encounter - Wales have reached the 20-point just twice in their last 10 Six Nations trips to Dublin.
Far from an ideal statistic to feed the Welsh fans with hope but it seems all indicators are pointing at an Ireland win for this year's opener so I am backing the hosts in a close match.
- Ireland to win by 1-12 points 7/4
Ireland vs Wales odds with Grosvenor Sport
Here are the latest odds from Grosvenor Sport :
- Ireland 2/13
- Wales 17/4
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