RUGBY: Ireland set for Welsh test
WALES say they are travelling with 'no fear' for the Six Nations clash this afternoon in Dublin.
The Welsh won 16-12 in 2008, which prompted flanker Jonathan Thomas to state he found Croke Park far from hostile and less intimidating than Ireland's permanent home at Lansdowne Road.
Coupled with the Southern Irish media having a go at Warren Gatland, the Welsh and their fans this week, it makes for an intriguing clash.
However, Ireland skipper, Brian O'Driscoll, like Gatland, was not being drawn into a war or words and urged his team to silence the Welsh at Croke Park in Ireland's penultimate game there before returning to a revamped Lansdowne.
O'Driscoll, who will win his 100th cap today, insisted it is time to prove the visitors' confidence is misplaced.
"We've been reasonably proud of our record at Croke Park but Wales two years ago was one of our less memorable days," he said.
"We want to finish our last couple of games there on a high.
"There is an element of motivation in that they've said they don't find it a difficult place to come and play.
"The one time they've come here they've won. We need to turn that around."
Thomas alluded to the intense rivalry between the Celtic nations when he declared: "We play each other in the Magners League and that rivalry intensifies when we play at international level.
"It does seem to bring out in both sides a very competitive edge."
Welsh head coach Gatland stoked up the fires before their showdown in Cardiff last year by revealing the Welsh players disliked their Irish counterparts the most, while in 2008 he insisted O'Driscoll had lost a yard of pace.
Lions captain Paul O'Connell rounded on Gatland after Ireland had completed the Grand Slam at the Millennium Stadium, ordering him to keep his ego in check.
The Kiwi this week attempted to prevent any further flashpoints by being complimentary about the champions and O'Driscoll agreed that any animosity between the sides has vanished.
"We got on fine (with the Welsh players) on the Lions tour. I always got on well with Warren when he was coaching Ireland," he said.
"There were certainly no issues when we've been on Lions tours.
Warren's a very different coach from 10 years ago, as I am as a player.
"We all move on and Warren's already alluded to that in the papers this week.
"He apologised for any upset that he may caused so it's water the bridge."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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