Wales vs. Ireland: 5 Key Battles in International Match

An experimental Ireland lineup will hope to overcome the demons of a Six Nations defeat earlier this year and gain redemption over Wales when they meet at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Warren Gatland's hosts ran out as 23-16 winners in Cardiff this February, keeping the Boys in Green from completing a prestigious Grand Slam, albeit still going on to win the Six Nations championship.

Wales coach Gatland will also hand opportunities to the less-experienced before he and Ireland counterpart Joe Schmidt cut their squads down to 31 on August 31.

With so much riding on the line, it promises to be a blockbuster encounter between two of Europe's greatest powerhouses, with a selection of Saturday's key battles discussed in finer detail ahead.

1. Scott Williams vs. Darren Cave

Six months to the day since scoring a winning try against Ireland in the Six Nations, Scott Williams will take on Schmidt's men once again in Wales' capital—except this time, he also dons the captain's armband.

Gatland evidently holds February's substitute hero in high esteem after Simon Thomas of Wales Online revealed Williams will be the first back to captain Wales since Gareth Thomas in 2007.

Having lost Jonathan Davies to injury, Wales need Williams to be a driving force in midfield, and a showdown against Darren Cave—striving to nail down his place in Schmidt's squad—looks highly appetising.

Unlike Williams, Cave is a fringe asset for the Irish and one would be inclined to believe Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne, Keith Earls and perhaps even veteran Gordon D'Arcy sit above him in the pecking order.

That's more an indication of Ireland's strength in centre depth as opposed to an indictment of Cave's ability, but the Ulster man is a major threat of his own and will look to see that Williams does no further damage to his side.

2. Dominic Day vs. Iain Henderson

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Dominic Day is one of four debutants in Wales' starting XV this Saturday, and the need to make up for lost time could see the Bath lock conjure up some of his very best.

At 29 years of age, Day blows his fellow rookies out of the water as Eli Walker, 23, Tyler Morgan, 19 and Ross Moriarty, 21, all have a majority of their careers to play.

Ireland counterpart Iain Henderson is a different kettle of fish; the second-row is only 23 himself but has already amassed 17 caps and seems rightly favoured by Schmidt as an asset in multiple positions.

Just how that contrast in experience will come to weigh on their head-to-head will make for an intriguing duel, but Day is embracing the "nothing-to-lose" nature of the clash, per Alex Bywater of Wales Online:

"

We’ve got nothing to lose - there is pressure but we can go out there and express ourselves. There are a lot of talented young players but some experienced ones too. I think it’s a good balance - the boys have so much to play for so you can expect some fireworks and big hits. I’m sure it won’t be a friendly environment to be playing in so hopefully we can go out there and show what we’ve got.

"

What Henderson lacks in years compared to his Welsh rival, he more than makes up for in potential, and with Paul O'Connell easing out of the national team, there's a spot that'll soon need filling at lock.

This World Cup could give the Ulsterman an early chance to establish himself as the obvious successor, while Day takes to the Cardiff turf as an unknown quantity at this level.

3. Eli Walker vs. Andrew Trimble

It's been a long time coming, but Welsh fans will finally get to see Ospreys star Eli Walker in national-team red after what seems like an eternity of pausing for the seemingly inevitable.

Ill-timed injuries have seen the winger impeded from earning his first Test cap on several occasions, but Walker now has the chance to make his mark on Ireland, if only he can surpass Andrew Trimble.

More than a year has passed since Trimble last represented his country thanks to a long-term toe injury, with the most unassuming of ailments causing a massive disruption in his career.

However, the Ulster utility nevertheless stands as a dazzling asset for Schmidt on his day, and if able to recall some of his best 2014 form, he could very well be a key World Cup player for his team.

Walker is every bit the danger man, too, as he comes to Cardiff backed with no small measure of speed, and this particular head-to-head promises to be an electric battle of wingers' wits.

4. Ross Moriarty vs. Jordi Murphy

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One might argue that no team in the northern hemisphere boasts a greater depth in flanker talent than Ireland at present, with Jordi Murphy seeking to break ranks and earn starter credentials this year.

Jarring alongside the Barcelona-born back-rower is leader-figure Peter O'Mahony, Tullow Tank Sean O'Brien, Tommy O'Donnell and the fit-again Chris Henry.

Were it not for such a wealth of options, Schmidt may have called upon Murphy more in the last 18 months, while Gloucester man Moriarty is making his first Test appearance this weekend.

One could therefore empathise with Murphy being somewhat unaware of his World Cup hopes, but the 24-year-old isn't allowing competition to get him down, telling Michael Corcoran of RTE Sport:

"

There are not really many second chances. When you get your chance you got to go out and take it. You may not be in one position that often and the next thing you’re thrown into it last minute, so you just have to make the most of it, do your homework during the week and when you get your chance take it.

[...]

It’s a warm-up friendly, well I’m not going to call it a friendly, it’s a pre-World Cup warm-up game. There’ll be a lot of mixing and matching so it’ll be interesting to see how they turn up.

"

It will be Moriarty's responsibility to see that Murphy isn't permitted to revel in the pilfering exploits he so often enjoys, an attribute he shares in common with O'Brien, O'Mahony, O'Donnell and Henry.

However, the England Under-20 turned Wales international will also be expected to limit his opposite number's carrying potential, with Moriarty facing an especially tough one-on-one at blindside.

5. Hallam Amos vs. Felix Jones

It's been known for some years that Dragons utility back Hallam Amos was simmering as a potential star of the international setup, but now it appears his time has come to do some real damage.

That's according to former Wales full-back Lee Byrne, at least, who proclaims 20-year-old Amos will be the "surprise package" for Wales at the World Cup, per Simon Thomas of Wales Online:

"

I remember watching Hallam playing at full-back a couple of years ago when I was out in France. He seemed quite comfortable in the role. He had good tactical awareness, he was great in the air and dangerous in attack, with his speed and chasing his own chips ahead.

My immediate thought was that he could be a quality full-back. So I think it’s a good decision by Warren. He usually pulls some surprises out of the bag and they often work. This could be another case in point.

"

Munster's Felix Jones takes Ireland's No. 15 jersey on Saturday as an uncertainty to make the final cut for the World Cup, facing a fight to play as Rob Kearney's deputy.

Schmidt is known to rank defensive skills highly when it comes to his backs—the less points conceded, above all else, the better—so caging Amos' considerable running threat will be a priority for Jones.

Liam Williams' injury concerns could give Amos his opportunity to play as backup to Leigh Halfpenny this year, but he'll need to avoid Jones' substantial wrestling ability in order to live up to expectations.