Six Nations 2022: Defending champions Wales are underdogs once more

You might think the tag of defending champions would ensure Wales would at least be among the favourites for the 2022 Six Nations tournament.

Not a bit of it. Despite Wales going into the competition as holders, they are only fourth or fifth favourites for silverware behind France, England and Ireland plus, in the eyes of many, Scotland.

Wayne Pivac's side shocked their opponents last season, aided by some good fortune as both Ireland and Scotland picked up red cards in the early games against Wales.

Ultimately, Pivac's side only missed out on a Grand Slam thanks to a devastating last-gasp defeat against France in Paris.

Whether history can repeat itself is debatable, and there is an air of trepidation among the Welsh public going into the tournament.

Wales start without injured British and Irish Lions Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate and Josh Navidi with those eight players having more than 700 Test appearances between them.

So underdogs rather than favourites is where Wales find themselves again and the opener could hardly be a tougher assignment as they go in search of a first Six Nations win at the Aviva Stadium since 2012.

It is fair to say Pivac's side are not fancied by the bookmakers.

«I guess there's an obvious reason for that,» said Pivac.

«A lot of the team that won that competition won't be there in Dublin. But the guys who will be there, we believe will represent us really well. Where we are with the bookies, we're probably in the same position we were last year.

»We've everything to gain and nothing to lose. That's the attitude, going out there and expressing ourselves."

The Irish public appear to have ruled out any chance of an away victory,