Irish looking for revenge
Ireland go into Sunday’s Six Nations match with Wales with revenge very much on their minds after losing to the Welsh twice last year including October’s World Cup quarterfinal.
While the Irish will want to banish memories of that limp performance against an admittedly sharper and better Welsh outfit, they are also bitter about the manner in which they lost to a controversial Mike Phillips try in last year’s Six Nations clash in Cardiff.
Both sides will be without key players for the match, the hosts having to cope without their injured talisman Brian O’Driscoll. His relatively untested Leinster team-mate Fergus McFadden will step in as a replacement after Keith Earls withdrew because his baby girl is ill in hospital.
O’Driscoll’s replacement as skipper, Paul O’Connell, is determined for Ireland to give a better account of themselves than they did in the 22-10 defeat in the World Cup which came as a huge blow after a stunning defeat of Australia in the pool stage.
“That was certainly a big disappointment and hopefully we can put it right next weekend,” said the 32-year-old Munster lock, who will be winning his 83rd cap.
“There is going to be no warming into it, it will be a very tough game.”
O’Connell, though, takes heart from the manner in which three of the four Irish provinces have qualified for the European Cup quarter-finals with just one of the Welsh teams progressing.
“I suppose it was a good thing a lot of us went away from the disappointment against Wales and managed to put some good performances together.
“It gets that performance out of the system for a lot of us.
“But we won’t be able to afford anything below our potential. We need to produce a massive performance.”
Ireland coach Declan Kidney has not made sweeping changes to the squad since the World Cup but he is looking for a significant improvement in both defence and offence.
“We knew from the Wales match that there are some areas of defence that we have to tighten up, that was most unlike us, but we have also been looking to broaden the attacking options,” said Kidney.
“When you are a ball carrier, you should have at least two if not three options for leaving the ball off. We have worked on that and on our awareness of that.”
While the Irish seek revenge, Wales coach Warren Gatland still harbours bitterness over the manner in which he left the Irish post in 2001. Victory over his former team always brings a warm glow to his cheeks.
However, the Kiwi has had to focus more on fitness worries surrounding several of his players this week and was at least heartened to be able to name experienced centre Jamie Roberts and fly-half Rhys Priestland in the starting line-up after they both recovered from knee injuries.
Roberts, though, has not played since before the New Year and Priestland has been out of action for a fortnight.
“We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas, we have been working hard and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done,” said Gatland, whose side are seeking their third win in seven visits to Dublin.
“We are two sides who know each other well, Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand, they will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined mood,” added the 48-year-old.
O’Connell said that recent encounters between the two suggested that Sunday’s match could well be a fiery no-holds barred contest.
“It is certainly a tough rivalry,” said O’Connell
“There is no doubt there is an edge to it. It is a great fixture and some of the games have been brilliant, high-intensity, physical encounters. I expect it will be no different this time.”
AFP
