Welsh captain Sam Warburton believes he and his Welsh team mates will need to be on top of their game if they are to match the performance of an in-form Ireland in next weekend’s World Cup quarter final.
With the English camp getting involved in off-pitch scandals and the French limping to defeats against New Zealand and Tonga, Wales and Ireland have been the standout Six Nations teams in the World Cup so far.
The southern and northern hemisphere sides have ended up on different sides of the quarter final draw and the Welsh captain admits the familiarity with their opposition adds an extra dimension to next weekend’s game.
"Both players know each other as a lot of were in involved with the British and Irish Lions in 2009," he told BBC.
"That makes it more exciting for players.
"Ireland have great players and everyone knows they have that one big performance in them so we must be switched on.
"But we must believe we can beat anyone now."
Having tallied a combined score of 147 points in their last two games, Wales have displayed no shortage of attacking flare while Ireland managed to keep both Australia and Italy from crossing the try line.
Wales won the last competitive meeting between the sides 19-13 in March but skills coach Rob Howey admits that next Saturday’s game in Westpac Stadium could go either way.
"They have qualities and world-class players but it is going to be tough to call. On the day Ireland can beat us and we can beat them.
"Some people might say we have achieved something getting to a quarter-final and coming out of the pool of death.
"But I know we have an ambitious and quality group of players."
South Africa’s Craig Joubert will take charge of Saturday’s showdown in Wellington.