WARREN GATLAND is preparing Wales for a Six Nations 'backyard' scrap against Ireland at Cardiff on Saturday.
With the two teams so familiar with each other Wales coach Gatland is expecting a tense encounter. “There’s no bad blood or hard feelings, but when you know each other so well, it’s like playing against your brother in the backyard,” Gatland said.
“You want to beat him as much as you can and it will be no different on Saturday. There’s a lot of rivalry there because the players know each other so well from playing against each other most weeks for their clubs and from the Lions.
“It has been pretty even at international level, but the Irish provinces have had huge success in recent years so a lot of our guys have been used to watching them be pretty dominant.”
Ireland currently top the table, but a Wales victory would put Gatland's charges back into serious Championship contention. “Ireland are currently third in the world and have found a style that is proving very successful, so we’re under no illusions what is coming our way. We just have to be ready and able to cope with the pressure.
“This game is massive for us. If we win then we’re still in the Championship, but we have to be mentally right for Ireland. In the last few games we just haven’t been on the edge.”
When asked about Paul O'Connell earning his 100th international cap Gatland replied. "It is a fantastic accolade for him: if he had not had so many injuries over the years he would have had a lot more than 100 caps.
"I hope that adds to the occasion and it is a special day for him even though it might be a bit disappointing with the result."
