WALES HEAD COACH Warren Gatland has installed Ireland as favourites for the upcoming Six Nations but admits the Championship is something of an ‘unknown quantity’ this year.
Joe Schmidt’s Ireland enter the campaign chasing a hat-trick of titles and Gatland believes they will be the side to beat again in 2016.
“I think one of the things about the Irish is that they would like to go in with people writing them off, even though they have won the championship for the last two years,” he said earlier.
“They have to go in as favourites. The thing about any Irish team is that you write them off, and you do that at your peril.
“We go into this tournament respecting them immensely, and particularly what they have achieved under Joe Schmidt over the last two seasons.
“I think they are favourites for the tournament, given the experience they have at knowing how to win, particularly under pressure. They have lost a couple of experienced players, but it is going to be a tough proposition for us.
Schmidt will name his extended panel for the tournament on Wednesday after Gatland revealed his squad today.
Scarlets’ Aled Davies is the only uncapped player in the 37-man squad but Leigh Halfpenny, Scott Williams and Rhys Webb are all ruled out through injury.
“The Six Nations is a little bit of an unknown quantity, I suppose, in terms of a couple of new coaches with France and England.
“I think there a number of teams that can go out and do well in this competition. I think the opening round of games will give us some indication about where teams are at, and potentially who is capable of winning this competition.”
Wales open their campaign in Dublin on 7 February with the opening game of the Championship at the Stade de France where France take on Italy.
