David Wallace wary of unpredictable Wales

David Wallace has warned his Ireland team-mates to 'expect the unexpected' when Wales arrive at Croke Park on Saturday.

The RBS 6 Nations champions are odds-on favourites to inflict a third defeat on Warren Gatland's side, who now find themselves battling to avoid the wooden spoon.

Wales' kamikaze play, which has seen them concede big leads before mounting a late fightback in their three games so far, has made for a thrilling spectacle while also planting them at the wrong end of the table.

Wallace is concerned that their unstructured game and array of strike runners can make them dangerous opponents.

'Wales have been unlucky at times and we know that against them you must expect the unexpected,' said the Munster flanker.

'They like to pass the ball and if the game gets loose they can cause you a lot of damage. If the game becomes open and free flowing, they'll take quick taps and try and run it from anywhere.

'Some of their backs are very quick and agile and it can be hard to stop them.'

Wales' first visit to Croke Park two years ago saw them depart Dublin with a 16-12 victory as part of their Grand Slam-winning season.

Their return on Saturday is the penultimate match at the home of Gaelic sport before Ireland relocate to a renovated Lansdowne Road.

'They did a number on us at Croke Park two years so I don't think going there will be a factor for them,' said Wallace. 'But we're confident that we're a different team now. We've learnt a lot over the last two years and an awful lot of talent has come through.'

Wallace is eager to once again lock horns with Martyn Williams, his chief rival for the Lions' number seven jersey in South Africa last summer.

Wallace played the first two Tests but then had to swap places with Williams by settling for a place on the bench in the concluding match of the tour.

At 34, the older by one year, Williams leads Wales in the absence of Ryan Jones, who has been ruled out because of a calf injury.

'Martyn is a very good footballer. He's very good at poaching balls,' said Wallace. 'If you don't have good numbers around rucks you leave yourself open for him to pilfer the ball.

'He can play like an outside-half or winger at times - he has soft hands and can kick too. He has a wide range of skills. It's hard to pick faults in his game.

'He was struggling with an injury out in South Africa but I've played against him a number of times dating back to the Under-21s.

'I've also done two tours with him. He's a good leader and guys want to play for him. Ryan is a player of huge experience so it will be tough to have lost him. But Gareth Delve has come in and he's a good player.'