Ireland vs. Wales: 5 Key Battles That Will Shape 2016 RBS 6 Nations Clash

The 2016 RBS Six Nations gets underway this weekend, and the standout tie sees Europe’s top two teams, Ireland and Wales, face off at the Aviva in Dublin.

Ireland and Wales may not be as immediately recognisable, but given that these two teams have dominated the tournament in recent years (winning seven of the last nine championships), there could be no bigger game this tournament.

Ireland vs. Wales is a contest that will go a long way to determining the destination of the Six Nations trophy, so here Bleacher Report analyses five key battles that will shape their 2016 clash.

Each battle comes with our pre-match verdict, culminating in an overall verdict and match prediction.

Jonny Sexton vs. Dan Biggar

Jonny Sexton against Dan Biggar is the standout battle of Ireland vs. Wales not only because fly-half remains the most influential position in rugby union but also because these 10s set the tone for their teams.

Sexton is pragmatic, skilful and determined: Ireland in a nutshell.

Biggar is no-nonsense, physical and a great team player: the epitome of Wales.

Until last autumn, Sexton would be the favourite to win this battle, but it is Biggar who is set to dominate. Since taking over the kicking duties for Wales following Leigh Halfpenny’s injury ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the Ospreys man has been a force of nature.

Verdict: Biggar’s form, Sexton’s injury and the Welshman’s superior goal-kicking give Wales a slight edge at fly-half.

Joe Schmidt vs. Warren Gatland

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Ireland's Joe Schmidt and Wales' Warren Gatland are two excellent international coaches with one win apiece in their two Six Nations encounters. Ireland and Wales play in relatively similar ways, focusing on defence, a strong kicking game and breakdown intensity, so the battle of the tacticians will come down to preparation.

Verdict: This battle is impossible to call.

CJ Stander vs. Sam Warburton

CJ Stander against Sam Warburton is the most intriguing contest on show at the Aviva on Sunday. Despite each wearing the No. 6 jersey, they will play the position in such markedly different ways.

Warburton is a classic fetcher and a link between the pack and the backs. He has been shoved onto the blind side to accommodate Justin Tipuric.

Stander, on the other hand, is primarily a ball-carrying battering ram who has consistently impressed for Munster. This will be the first Ireland start for the South Africa-born back-rower after qualifying through residency last November.

What makes this battle even more compelling is that, given the different roles these two blindside flankers play for their teams, they can both star without it necessarily meaning they keep the other out of the game.

Verdict: Stander may develop into an international-class player, but Warburton’s experience tilts this confrontation in Wales’ favour.

Devin Toner vs. Alun Wyn Jones

Big vs. bigger. Devin Toner (6'11") will need to have a storming game for him to overcome Alun Wyn Jones (6'6"), and Ireland really need the giant lock to stand tall. Without Paul O’Connell through retirement and Iain Henderson through injury, Toner’s work at the lineout and making the hard yards will be crucial.

Jones is a formidable all-round player. He's hard to outjump in the lineout, and his work rate, tackling and rucking are world-class for a second-rower.

Verdict: Maturing very nicely with age, Wales’ Jones (30) will take this individual battle.

Ireland's Bench vs. Wales' Bench

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Ireland vs. Wales is likely to be decided in the final 20 minutes of the match, so replacements are going to be key.

Wales’ most likely game-changers are the powerful wing Alex Cuthbert and exciting scrum-half Lloyd Williams. In the pack, Gethin Jenkins is well past his best, and Dan Lydiate, fine player though he may be, is not a match-winner. What the tackling machine could do, though, is crystallise Wales’ advantage if they are ahead when he comes on.

Ireland do not even have those options. Neither Eoin Reddan nor Ian Madigan is creative. Their most promising substitute is live-wire hooker Sean Cronin, but his introduction would mean taking off captain Rory Best.

Verdict: Advantage, Wales

Overall verdict: Wales will win four of the five most important battles, but playing away means Wales should only beat Ireland by seven points.