Wales, though, also remain in the shake-up for silverware.

A win of any description guarantees them the Triple Crown but, if they could triumph by 13 points or more – something Wales last achieved against Ireland in 1983 – it would secure a second successive Six Nations title.

“It’s a huge game,” said Wales attack coach Howley.

“There is a lot of pressure. They (Ireland) haven’t won the Grand Slam for so many years. We had that experience last year and we coped with that pressure.

“Can Ireland cope with the pressure of playing against the Grand Slam champions of last season and, secondly, the Millennium (Stadium) factor?

“We’ve got everything to play for – the Triple Crown, and I am sure the 13 points (margin) will be mentioned this week many times.

“We will go out to win the game and then we will see what happens.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his team for the Ireland clash later today.

Several changes are likely following an unimpressive 20-15 verdict against Italy in Rome three days ago.

The pack is set to receive closest scrutiny, with props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, lock Ian Gough, flanker Martyn Williams and skipper Ryan Jones all poised for starting XV recalls.

Fly-half Stephen Jones, meanwhile, is likely to reclaim the number 10 shirt from James Hook and Gatland could look at replacing Jamie Roberts with Tom Shanklin alongside Gavin Henson in midfield.

Henson has received backing from Howley after he questioned Wales’ tactics during their fumbling Stadio Flaminio success.

Howley claims the Ospreys star was “spot on” in his assessment of events after Wales kicked possession far too often.

Henson claimed he was “frustrated” and “annoyed” with the way Wales played and needed five minutes’ cooling down time in the changing room while his colleagues went back out to applaud thousands of travelling Welsh supporters.

Howley added: “I think he was spot on, in fairness to him.

“He is an intelligent footballer who understands the game. It is fair criticism in the fact we did kick too often.

“We were disappointed as coaches, not so much about our kicking strategy but the decision-making, accuracy and length.

“In fairness to Italy, we didn’t expect them to out-kick us. Rugby is not black and white – it is about decision-making, looking up and recognising that space.

“Coaches don’t know everything and, in fairness to Gavin, he was spot on. We didn’t kick long enough and hopefully we will be rectifying that against Ireland.

“We’ve looked at the France game, when we didn’t kick enough, and we’ve gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. That’s an area we will be working on this week.

“You want players to make decisions – coaches aren’t on the field.

“Decision-making is a huge part of the game and our decision-making, with our lack of kicking accuracy, sometimes let us down.”

Howley also reported no injury concerns in the aftermath of Rome, with Jones and full-back Lee Byrne both fine following knocks collected against Italy.