Jack McGrath has called on Ireland to “do things differently” in order to beat Wales in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash.
After a disappointing loss to England in the first round, Wales have secured big wins over Scotland, and then France.
McGrath said he was impressed with how the Welsh had ground down France, and said “they played pretty smart rugby”.
“Wales have grown into the Championship,” McGrath told RTÉ Sport. “They’re going to be relishing us coming over to their back garden, and having the crowd behind them.”
He also pointed out that although Ireland were going into the game unbeaten, there was still plenty of room for improvement.
“We know we’re going to have to get everything right over there, because they’re going to come at us hard.”
Between international games, Pro12 and Champions Cup clashes, and shared tours with the British and Irish Lions, Irish and Welsh players are quite familiar with each other.
McGrath said Ireland would need to mix things up to be successful. “We sort of know each other pretty well at this stage, so there is going to have to be a few things that we do differently.”
Looking at his personal challenge, McGrath called the Welsh front row “a pretty powerful unit” and said that it was quite settled.
“The guys coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes are often the guys who decide the game" - Ian Madigan
“They've been together for a good long while, and they’re improving with every game. Samsom Lee has been playing exceptionally well, and doing it against top-quality opposition.
“So, it’s great for them, and it’s a good test for us.”
McGrath’s Leinster team-mate Ian Madigan said Wales would be Ireland’s toughest test so far, and that he hoped Ireland’s best was yet to come.
“Joe has always got a big focus on the basics, and work rate,” said Madigan. “They’re part of our core values. And he’s just been re-enforcing them into us all week.”
With Johnny Sexton fully recovered from the hamstring strain that forced him off against England, Madigan again has to settle for a place on the bench. However, he indicated he was aware of the importance of all of Ireland’s match-day squad being ready for action at any stage.
“The way the game has gone, it’s very much a 23-man game,” he said. “The guys coming off the bench for the last 20 minutes are often the guys who decide the game.”
He said that he had prepared in the same way he always did, even when the situation regarding Sexton’s availability was unclear, and that he was always out to make himself ready to play.
“He’s good to go, but I’ll be waiting on the sidelines, and if he does come down injured, or one of the other players comes down, I’ll be ready to go and fill in for the team.”
