Let's be honest we are very fortunate to have the Six Nations in these challenging times. It is a Six Nations with a difference, we won't have any crowds at any stage during the tournament. The players are going to be cocooned in a very tight bubble for eight weeks.
It's circumstances outside the norm that may have a big influence on the outcome of the tournament. We've seen it already with Wales' Josh Adams, who was a certain to start on Sunday, but he's out of the side for a breach of the protocol regulations.
The Welsh public are so passionate about their rugby and Wayne Pivac has had a very poor start to his tenure. Last year he had three wins out of ten, taking over from Warren Gatland and that was always going to be difficult.
Their style of rugby is all over the place. They are under huge pressure coming into this game. That game in the autumn in the Aviva, where Ireland won 32-9, I just couldn't get over how devoid of emotion that Wales were on that evening. Look, there will be a backlash from them, there is no question about that.
Whether it's the old Cardiff Arms Park, the Millennium Stadium or the Principality Stadium as it is now, it is the best rugby stadium in the world in terms of atmosphere. There is nothing like that Welsh National Anthem when it's sung before a match. The Welsh players trade on all that emotion.
They have had no success with their regions over the last ten to 12 years, never won a Heineken Cup, so playing for Wales is where they exert all their energies. Not having a crowd there is huge.
They played in Parc y Scarlets during November because the Principality was converted into a field hospital so they will be thrilled to be back there.
I'm not surprised that they are playing mind games (using fake crowd noise on Sunday) with these sound effects and it will be interesting to see what impact it will have on the team.
I expect Ireland to win. It will be a lot more difficult than the game three months ago. There's talk of Dan Lydiate playing in the backrow for Wales. George North could be played out of position at 13, which may suit Ireland. I think it will be a lot tighter than people think but I do favour an Ireland victory.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on Morning Ireland.
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