Declan Kidney wants his players to embrace the Grand Slam pressure

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has urged his players to enjoy the build-up to the Six Nations showdown with Wales and a possible first Grand Slam since 1948.

It all comes down to the clash in Cardiff on Saturday and Kidney is relaxed ahead of the crucial game.

"I won't be shielding the players from the pressure. This is a week to be enjoyed," he said.

"If you don't enjoy times like this you won't enjoy anything, but admittedly this is new territory for everybody."

Ireland top the table but defending champions Wales are just two points adrift going into the final game.

He added: "Our job is to stay professional. We'll prepare the same way for this one as we did with every other match.

"I'm surprised that we have four wins given where we were in November when I thought the confidence of the team wasn't great.

"At Christmas we talked about the bit of honesty that we needed and against France we generated a bit of momentum.

"Wales will be tough. I'll be accused of mind games but they are defending Grand Slam champions and are playing at home.

"They're playing for the championship, for the Triple Crown and have rested most of their players this week."

Denis Leamy is the only injury concern from the win at Murrayfield after the number eight was forced off with a shoulder injury.

"We have to be prudent about the way we go about training this week," said Kidney.

"Scotland was a very physical game. The games seem to get tighter and tighter and the forwards have put in a huge effort.

"Now it's all about recovery and making sure we're ready for the next one."

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