Warren Gatland will attempt to drag Wales out of "no-man's-land" and get back to basics, at very short notice, for the imminent Six Nations campaign.
Wales turned to their former coach in December, following Wayne Pivac’s departure from his position in charge of the national side, which left Gatland with just two months to prepare for the 2023 campaign.
And what tougher start for the returning Gatland, who brought huge success to Wales in his previous tenure, which lasted from 2007 to 2019, as they welcome the world number-one ranked side to Cardiff on Saturday.
And the former Ireland coach comes up against his old side armed with a hugely experienced unit as Gatland will rely on the tried and tested stars of his previous regime, as they look to get an unlikely victory over a highly confident Irish outfit.
"Gatland is the coach most likely to be able to implement (going back to basics) in the short space of times," said Bernard Jackman, speaking on this week’s RTE Rugby Podcast.
"Particularly when he is going back to Ken Owen, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Tomos Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, they know Warrenball."
Wales attempted to play a different brand of rugby under Pivac, however, when the results were not forthcoming, they ended up playing a style that landed somewhere between the philosophies of both coaches.
"Wales ended up in no-man’s land, as they weren’t playing the type of rugby that Pivac coached, or they weren’t playing the power game that Gatland had brought them so much success," added Jackman.
And that is why the returning Gatland will bring back the old crew to implement the game plan that proved so successful in previous years.
"Gatland spoke about set-pieces being important, your launch, getting over the gain line, a good kicking game and a good D (defence)," said Jackman.
"These half-backs can certainly do that, the likes of Josh Allen is good in the air, Rio Dyer is incredibly quick, and their forward pack, on paper, you would expect them to go toe to toe with Ireland.
"So it’s probably better for Gatland that he can go back to the old players."
And while Wales should be able to compete with Ireland in the physical aspects of this weekend’s opener, Jackman feels that the game may have come too soon to see a fully functional defensive display from the home side due to the lack of time to work on certain strategies.
"The defensive system will be the most difficult to bed in," said Jackman. "(Defence coach) Mike Forshaw used to be with Connacht, Sale, rugby league, he’s a real personality, but that is where Wales always built their game around.
"It took Shaun Edwards a lot of time to get it right and I think that is the area I think it will take time to bed in."
Jackman, however, is still expecting Ireland to encounter a tough opening test at the Principality Stadium, and a difficult Six Nations campaign with little to separate the top teams.
But a difficulty that can work to Ireland’s advantage to take into the World Cup later on this year.
"Gatland will use the chaos of Welsh rugby as an opportunity to circle the wagons, and for those players to reunite and help it heal," said Jackman.
"So any win this week would be a good win, as we may not hit our straps. Even in November there was times that we were under a bit of pressure in both games against South Africa and Australia, but we found a way to win. And that is going to be the key.
"The top five or six in the world, there is so little between any of us. The team that does well in the Six Nations and wins the World Cup will be the team who can manage key moments, show composure and the ability to problem solve on the run, replacements making an impact…
"So with this Six Nations, the tougher it is, while it may be nerve-racking, it will actually be better for us over the next calendar year."
Follow our live blog of Wales v Ireland (Saturday 2.15pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch live coverage of England v Scotland (Saturday 4.45pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
