Mark Doyle / 12 March 2010 Free Bet View Market

"Ireland are now within two games of landing a Triple Crown. Of course, for a side that had set out to claim a historic second successive Grand Slam that might seem like something of an anti-climax but this particular group of Irish players will be determined to end their campaign with some silverware."

Ireland's hopes of retaining their Six Nations crown were all but ended by France's victory in Cardiff a fortnight ago but Declan Kidney's men will not want for motivation when they take to the field at Croke Park on Saturday for the latest installment of what has become an increasingly fascinating rivalry with Wales.

Obviously, after their stirring victory over England at Twickenham in round three, Ireland are now within two games of landing a Triple Crown. Of course, for a side that had set out to claim a historic second successive Grand Slam that might seem like something of an anti-climax but this particular group of Irish players will be determined to end their campaign with some silverware.

Aside from that, there is also the added incentive of heaping more misery on a side that apparently loves to hate them. Warren Gatland's claim last year that his Welsh players disliked their Irish counterparts more than any of their other Six Nations adversaries might have been misconstrued and taken out of context but there can be no doubt that there was an element of truth in the statement.

Admittedly, if genuine animosity did exist between the two sets of players, some, if not all, of it dissipated on last summer's British & Irish Lions Tour of South Africa, during which the Irish and Welsh contingents unquestionably meshed well, but this fixture has, in recent years, has become personal for many of those involved.

Of course, much of that has to do with Gatland, who, despite what he might say, is still bitter over the acrimonious nature of his sacking as Ireland boss in 2001. The New Zealander has done his best this week to avoid becoming involved in yet another war of words, admirably refusing to rise to one prominent Irish journalist's claim that he is 'as snappy as a menopausal warthog' on account of the 'toxic, personal agenda' he holds against Irish rugby, but Gatland would undoubtedly relish getting one over on his former employers.

However, Gatland will be desperate for a victory anyway given that he is under pressure after seeing his side lose two of their opening three games in this year's Championship. But are they capable of triumphing in Dublin?

On their day, the Welsh are capable of beating anyone and they won on their last trip to Croke Park, two years ago. However, they have proven remarkably self-destructive in this year's Championship.

Three times this term they have allowed their opponents to build up huge leads and only once, against Scotland in round two, have they managed to turn things around.
They have shown a disturbing propensity for giving away intercept tries while their line-out has been horribly inconsistent, something which Ireland's formidable second-row pairing of Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Calalghan are almost certain to ruthlessly exploit to their advantage.

Ireland, of course, have their own worries, particularly in the scrum. However, a Welsh front row shorn of the services of the excellent Gethin Jenkins will not be capable of putting Cian Healy, Rory Best and particularly John Hayes under anything like they pressure the Irish trio were forced to endure at Twickenham.

In addition, it is likely that the game will be decided by the two side's respective back rows. Wales will line out without both Ryan Jones and Andy Powell while Ireland will again be able to field their world class combination of Stephen Ferris, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip, which performed so impressively against England.

Consequently, with Ireland likely to reign supreme at the breakdown, it will be their stellar back-line - as opposed to the visitors' - which is likely to be given the quick ball with which to show off their attacking prowess.

Recommended Bets:

Ireland to win by under 12.5pts@2.66
Sexton to score more than 11.5pts@1.71