 The war of words between Wales and Ireland is heating up |
Ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half Brynmor Williams says he is concerned at his country's form ahead of Saturday's title decider with Ireland in Cardiff. "We have so much potential, but each game this year Wales have deteriorated, that's disturbing," said Williams. "Italy out-thought us, and so did France. We have to get that self-confidence back to play the wide game that comes so naturally to the squad." Coach Warren Gatland has also been criticised for his comments on Ireland.  | 606: DEBATE |
"Probably, out of all the teams in the Six Nations, the Welsh players dislike the Irish the most," claimed former Ireland coach Gatland, seeking to scupper the green army's attempt to claim just the second Grand Slam in their history, their only triumph coming in 1948. Former Ireland full-back Hugo MacNeill described Gatland's comments as "disappointing". "Maybe it's a sign of the verbal sledging that seems to go on more now than before," MacNeill told BBC Sport Wales. "One of the great things about rugby is the massive respect between teams and individuals, I'd hate to see that change. "[Gatland is] closest to his players and probably the best placed to say. | I see that Gatland has been at it again, trying to wind up Ireland Ex-England and Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio |
"It's completely at odds with the [off-field] relations between Wales and Ireland. "Warren's a canny operator and a very successful operator. "Maybe he's just trying to ratchet up the temperature and put more pressure on Ireland." MacNeill's view of Gatland's motivation was supported by England great Lawrence Dallaglio, who served under Gatland as captain at Wasps. "I see that Gatland has been at it again, trying to wind up Ireland," Dallaglio told BBC Wales' Scrum V Radio programme. "Coming from England I was quite surprised [to hear that Ireland are the most-hated side in Wales]! "It's all mind games, really. Luckily Warren doesn't have to take the pitch. I'm sure that the players won't thank him. "But all the pressure is on Ireland." | Psychologically we've got an edge over Wales Ex-Ireland and Lions prop Paul Wallace |
Despite Gatland's comments, former Ireland and Lions prop Paul Wallace believes that the mental edge is with the men in green. "Psychologically we've got an edge over Wales with what Munster and Leinster have done, claiming regular wins over the Ospreys and Blues," he told Scrum V. "The Munster boys will be comfortable in the dressing room after two Heineken Cup wins in the Millennium Stadium. "We are playing horrible rugby but we're winning. Physically they are going to go and try to bully Wales." A Wales win would give them a second successive Triple Crown, while a victory by more than 13 points would see them pip Ireland to the title, giving them back-to-back Championships for the first time in 26 years. *Hear more from Lawrence Dallaglio and the views of JPR Williams on Thursday's Scrum V Radio, BBC Radio Wales & online, 1900-2000 GMT
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