Ireland aim to deny unbeaten Welsh the Triple Crown
Ireland have the early start today, a 1.15 kick-off at Croke Park in the RBS 6 Nations as they seek to deny the unbeaten Welsh a Triple Crown and keep their own tilt at the title alive.
Ireland are joint second on the table with two wins to Wales' three and trailing well behind on points difference which could yet decide the tournament if Eddie O'Sullivan's team can engineer a win today.
Despite Warren Gatland's dream start to his new job the home side are favourites to win this one, with Paul O’Connell and Rory Best coming back into the pack to shore up the misfiring lineout.
But significantly Ireland last loss to the Welsh was for in the 2005 Grand Slam decider, when they were on a similar trajectory in form and momentum.
Rob Kearney will be tested in his first championship start at full-back in what could be very tricky conditions.
But although Gatland has opted for Stephen Jones and Mike Phillips at half-back, No-one plays the Irish conditions to Ronan O'Gara and although Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy were ruled out during the week, draftee Shane Horgan is a proven performer on the big stage.
It could be the game of the tournament, especially with interest driven up by the Gatland - O’Sullivan sideshow.
