The Welsh regions' lack of success, in comparison to the Irish provinces, means that their players are able to lift their game when they pull on the national jersey.
That's the verdict of former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman, who warns that, despite poor form in 2020, Wales are fully capable of handing an opening day Guinness Six Nations defeat to Andy Farrell's side.
Ireland have not won a championship game in Cardiff since 2013 and while there will be no famous home support for the hosts in the Principality Stadium on Sunday, they will still be able to rise to the occasion, believes Jackman.
Asked why Wales, under former coach Warren Gatland, in particular, are able to become more than the sum of their parts, Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast: "[Wales] didn't have to go to the well emotionally as often as Irish players
"When you play for Leinster against Munster, when you play in the knock-out stages of Europe, they are huge games.
"When you play in the semi-final and final of the Pro14, they are big games whereas the Welsh teams and players have very rarely had to do that; Scarlets when they won the Pro14 [in 2017] but they are very rarely in the knockout stages of Europe.
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"When they play for the regions, the crowds are tiny, there's not really that pressure on.
"Suddenly, they go into the Welsh camp and for that six or seven-week block, it's absolutely massive.
"We love our rugby here but over there when Wales are playing...they are all passionate about Team Wales.
"For the squad and the players in it, it's another step up emotionally."
Wales reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 2019 and only lost out to a late South Africa penalty, while they finished fifth in last season's Six Nations.
Jackman believes that the carrot of a possible Lions call-up will also bolster the team this season.
"Players realise now that there is potentially Lions Tests up for grabs or spots in the squad based on how they perform," he said.
Ryan can get better and better, insists O'Connell
"I can see them really focusing on this Six Nations, when you see the quality they have, the likes of George North back to form. They are a team who could beat us for sure.
"I do expect players like Dan Biggar, Alun Wyn Jones, Toby Faletau, North, Justin Tipuric, Ken Owens to really be able to get that extra 10% out of themselves in this tournament and that could change the picture massively."
Follow Wales v Ireland (kick-off 3pm) on Sunday via our live blog on RTE.ie and the News app or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport. Highlights on Against the Head, Monday at 8.10pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
