Wales defence coach Clive Griffiths insists Wales are fully prepared for everything Ireland might throw at them in tomorrow's RBS 6 Nations Championship clash at Lansdowne Road.
The match comes at the end of a very difficult fortnight for a Welsh squad which has been torn apart by off-the-field events.
Coach Mike Ruddock resigned in controversial circumstances and seven days later captain Gareth Thomas - under pressure amid claims of player power – found himself sidelined for up to three months with a neck injury.
But Griffiths, whose own position will come under scrutiny at the end of the championship, said the Welsh camp, under caretaker coach Scott Johnson and stand-in skipper Michael Owen, remains focused and buoyant going into a difficult Dublin encounter.
“A lot has been said and written over the last couple of weeks. But we are professional people and we have got a very important and a very tough game at Lansdowne Road. All our focus and energies have got to be harnessed towards that,” insisted Griffiths.
“The reaction of the players has been good. When you come back into camp you quickly get the feel of the morale of the players and it was one of determination in the face of adversity.
“Everyone has to perform. You have to do the hard work on the training field and transfer that to match day - if you fail to prepare you are preparing to fail. We have sat down and talked about what has gone on and everyone wants to focus on the weekend.”
Griffiths says that Ireland will be a huge hurdle to overcome, but the team must not be dragged into the Brian O'Driscoll factor.
“Brian O'Driscoll likes running those outside arcs. He is a catalyst for them and a talisman for them in the back line. But if you start concentrating on one man then others start enjoying a bit of space. So there is a danger there. Gordon D'Arcy will cut you and I rate Shane Horgan as well. We know the dangers and the threats we have just got to come up with the answers.”
On the return of Gavin Henson, Griffiths said: He is coming back into he squad on the back of one game. He is feeling his way back in. We would have liked to have eased him back in, but with a lot injuries we have had to fast-track him a bit.”
