Mike Forshaw says that Wales will not "die wanting" when they face mission improbable against Guinness Six Nations title favourites Ireland on Saturday (2.15pm).
Wales, on a run of 14 successive Test match defeats, have been largely written off when it comes to stopping Ireland's relentless Grand Slam march.
They will also face up to a Herculean task with an interim head coach after Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt was appointed as Warren Gatland’s successor for Wales’ three remaining Six Nations fixtures.
Another loss for Wales would take them to nine Six Nations defeats on the bounce, surpassing their previous worst championship sequence from 1994-96 in the Five Nations.
"It is always difficult when a coach leaves. It’s not nice for anybody," Wales assistant coach and defence specialist Forshaw said.
"I’ve been in this game for a long time as a player and coach. Things happen and you have to move on quickly.
"I think when coaches leave, the players do feel a bit of responsibility on that. I’ve been there myself.
"We will not die wanting this weekend, that’s for sure. Emotionally, we will be right on there. We will not be dipping toes in, we will be putting our bodies into this game."
Sherratt (above) could hardly face a tougher examination for his first game at the helm, with Ireland 10 places above Wales in the official world rankings.
And in terms of ranking points, Wales are closer to teams like the Netherlands, Namibia and Brazil than they are their latest Six Nations opponents.
"I know we will have a bunch of blokes who will work hard for each other," Forshaw added. "It is our first home game and I think it is a sell-out.
"You can never question the effort of these lads. It is a game no-one expects us to win, so it’s a game for us to go out there and put our stamp on.
"They (Ireland) go through more phases than anybody else and are really difficult to contain. So for us, it is about how we manage that game and the territory."
Asked if it was dangerous to write Wales off, Forshaw said: "I think if you are sat in the Irish camp, they will be saying that, I am pretty sure.
"We have got players who are very respected in the game."
Sherratt will oversee just four training sessions ahead of the Ireland encounter but he has already made an impression and is renowned for an attack-minded philosophy.
"He is a very personable guy, very focused around his attacking philosophies," Forshaw added.
"We’ve got to get a basic plan of what we are going after. Everything won’t be perfect this week but by the end of play today and tomorrow, hopefully the players will get the terminology of what we’re going after from an attack point of view."
Meanwhile, former international forward T Rhys Thomas has joined Sherratt's coaching staff for the remainder of this season’s Six Nations.
Thomas, who won 27 Wales caps and played hooker for Cardiff, Wasps and Dragons, will work as a skills coach.
He joins on secondment from Gallagher Premiership club Gloucester, the Welsh Rugby Union said, where he will return after the tournament.
Thomas, 42, is the second coach temporarily with Wales in this season’s competition, following scrum specialist Adam Jones after he was recruited on secondment from Harlequins.
Thomas will have specific responsibility for forwards’ skills, working closely with Jones and forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys.
Sherratt said: "I am delighted that TR will be joining the coaching team and I would like to thank Gloucester for allowing him to come on secondment to Wales.
"Having known TR for a number of years, I think he will be a great fit for the group."
Thomas added: "I would like to thank Gloucester and (rugby director) George Skivington for allowing me to take up this opportunity to join Wales for the remaining three Guinness Six Nations games.
"It has all happened very quickly the past few days but I am excited for the challenge and looking forward to getting stuck in, working with Matt and the other coaches."
Elsewhere, Alex Dombrandt (above) has been recalled to Steve Borthwick's initial 36-man squad ahead of England’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Harlequins number 8 underlined his return to fitness on Sunday with an impressive try-scoring performance in his side’s narrow defeat to Saracens in the Premiership Cup.
Alex Coles and Henry Pollock are also added to the squad in the wake of last week’s win over France, while Curtis Langdon and Alex Lozowski are the ones to drop out.
Forwards Tom Curry and George Martin are both named in the squad having trained away from the main group after picking up minor injuries in the wake of the 26-25 win over France.
Watch England v Scotland in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.05pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
Watch England v Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 4.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
Follow a live blog on Wales v Ireland in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.15pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary with Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
