In the scrum, perception can often be reality.
After Ireland's scrum struggled against France in Paris in last season's Six Nations, they found themselves on the wrong side of referee Mathieu Raynal a few weeks later against England at Twickenham, who heavily penalised them at the setpiece.
After the game, their feedback from World Rugby was that many of those decisions should have gone the other way, but the seed of Ireland's scrum struggles had been planted earlier in the competition, and when they were continually going backwards at Twickenham, it didn't matter whether or not those decisions were correct.
In recent months, Leinster's scrum has also found itself under pressure, with forwards specialist Robin McBryde agreeing that work needs to be done in that area, and with the bulk of Ireland's pack coming from the province, it's vital any creases in their setup get ironed out before the tournament.
Among the games they found themselves under strain was last month's BKT United Rugby Championship win against Ospreys, who provide three front row forwards to this weekend's Welsh squad, across the starters and replacements.
Painting a positive picture for this week's referee Karl Dickson will be an important element, not just for this Saturday against Wales, but also for their remaining four games.
"It can, I suppose it does," Andrew Porter said, when asked if a team's reputation can precede them, particularly at the scrum.
"That's the huge thing about this tournament, you rely hugely on momentum, and we'll need a huge performance from this first game to carry momentum for the rest of the tournament. It's very cut throat, it's small margins at the end of the day, you're coming up against such quality teams. You just have to be on your game for all 80 minutes."
The Leinster man will lock down opposite the experienced Tomas Francis of the Ospreys on Saturday, whose clubmate Gareth Thomas starts at loosehead, and captain Ken Owens sandwiched between them.
"He's been on Lions tours, Ken Owens. Tommy Francis, I've played against him before, he's a great tighthead and a great challenge, but I think we're more than capable and more than ready and it's something we're looking forward to, that close quarters battle with the pack, and look forward to getting our hands dirty in the trenches.
"It's always a tough battle, especially at this level. You're always scrumming against a world class pack, you're always going against top quality players, and given the selection they have, they have some top quality players.
"All we can do is focus on ourselves, I know I keep saying it, but that's what we can do at this level. We're just really excited for those battles, getting all eight [forwards] in."
Saturday's game presents a different challenge to what Ireland have faced in recent months.
With Wales coming into the tournament on a low ebb, all the pressure will be on Ireland to perform, and justify their status as the number one ranked team in the world.
The last 12 months of rugby would point to Ireland being big favourites in Cardiff on Saturday, unlike the series win in New Zealand, or the November wins against South Africa and Australia.
And Porter believes they have proven in the past they can handle the pressure that will be on their shoulders on Saturday.
"We really did prove ourselves against world champions in the Autumn, but we're nor dwelling on the past. You're always faced with another challenge down the road, whether it's a physical battle,, or playing away from home it's another challenge. All we can do is focus on ourselves, and look what we can put out on the pitch.
"It's the first game back with Gats at the wheel, and they've gone with a real experienced selection of players.
"I remember back to 2018, and when we did the Grand Slam that year, and when we went away to France, that's one of the most hostile places you can go, and we came away with a win there. And in recent times against New Zealand, down there, the home of rugby, why is it any different playing away from home?"
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