Ireland wary but focused before Wales challengeImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, O’Connell insists Ireland’s only focus is on their own performanceByDavid MohanBBC Sport NI journalistPublished28 minutes agoA 2023 victory over Italy in Rome was the last time Wales savoured that winning feeling in the Six Nations and while predictions the losing streak will end in Dublin on Friday are thin on the ground, Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell insists “we don’t expose ourselves” to such discourse.Certainly, it’s been another tough campaign for the Welsh who were whitewashed in the last two championships, while they look favourites for a third-straight wooden spoon with three defeats in their opening fixtures this year.However, O’Connell does not believe the outlook is as bleak for Steve Tandy’s side as some predict, refusing to downplay the chances of their visitors who were minutes from victory against Scotland in their last outing.Still, the Irish approach remains the same, less concerned about what the opposition will bring and more about “getting excited to do our thing”.”For sure, we focus on the opposition but less than we did in my playing days,” the former Ireland captain told reporters on Tuesday.”There’s real excitement about how we’re going to play and perform, but having reported that, Wales have excellent players and athletes, really good coaches.”You’ve seen hints of it over the last few months and I think Wales are going to get better and better, but for us, it’s about our performance.”We’re expecting a tough game, but we want to see us getting better at what we do.”‘We want to set the early tone in games’Ireland endured a tough night in Paris to begin their campaign, but bounced back against Italy before delivering their best performance of the championship against England.While they ran out impressive 42-21 winners at Twickenham, it took a strong defensive effort in the early stages to keep Steve Bortwick’s side from striking first.A good start to a game can set the tone for what is to follow and while O’Connell was happy how “the lads dug in and stopped them scoring when they were close to our line”, the 2009 British and Irish Lions captain would have preferred a more comfortable opening.”That was really good for us, but it’s not something you want to be doing – spending that much time so close to your line.”I think our ability to get out of our own half, whether that’s kicking the ball, attacking well or whatever it is, it’s really important and I think we rode our luck at the start of the game.”When you’re 10-0 up, the game changes and I think England only kicked 18 times which is very little for them as they had to change how they played.”Starting well is important so you can get yourself into a position where the opposition have to change what they’re going to do and you can continue what you’re doing.”Ireland v Wales2026 Six Nations6 March at 20:10 GMTAviva Stadium, DublinListen on Sounds
