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Sexton fires warning to Wales
By Ben Spratt
Johnny Sexton is confident Ireland can halt Wales in their tracks, as they have done previously against New Zealand and England.
Wales are on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam - won by Ireland last year - and will secure that superb triumph by beating Sexton's men this weekend.
But Ireland, who can themselves still win the championship, brought an end to the All Blacks' record-breaking 18-match winning run in 2016 and also denied England a Grand Slam the following year.
And while Wales coach Warren Gatland says his men have "forgotten how to lose" amid 13 consecutive victories, World Rugby player of the year Sexton has little interest in mind games.
"I don't know if Wales feel like they're invincible. They're saying that they've forgotten how to lose and all of that," he said, as reported by the Irish Examiner. "They've eked out some results.
"We've played well against teams that have gone on runs before - New Zealand, England - stopping their runs.
"Again, we'll give them the respect that they absolutely deserve. We'll analyse them, we'll talk about where we can get at them, where we think they are very strong, and we'll come up with a plan.
"I don't think we'll talk too much about the psychology of them."
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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