'SOMETIMES YOU don't know how to take him. He goes around the place snarling and you certainly don't want to miss a tackle or he'll bite your leg off."
That's Shaun Edwards according to Ian Gough, a Wales veteran of 48 international matches. Suffice to say Edwards is enthusiastic about defence.
Of course even the best of defences have weaknesses. And Wales have them too. The first is the relatively short time Edwards has had to fine-tune the system under real pressure. At this level where every second counts, instinct is king. Players under pressure will revert to old club habits.
The second is the group employed to implement Edwards's system. Stephen Jones and, in particular, Gavin Henson provide the weakness. Jones tends not to lead at speed and Ireland need to target Henson's inside shoulder, forcing him into pressure decisions. He will get it wrong.
One such Welsh error springs to mind. In the 21st minute against Italy, Henson was beaten on his inside shoulder and the outside centre Gonzalo Canale had a gilt-edged opportunity to put Italy 12-6 ahead. The Italy coach Nick Mallet stood up, turned and hit the doorframe - Canale had blown it by knocking on. Henson had also blown it but he and Wales, like the doorframe, survived the onslaught and went on to post five tries.
The last major flaw in the Welsh system is Irish knowledge. Leinster and Munster have extensive experience against Wasps. In fact the Irish players may be more comfortable frustrating Edwards's system than the Welsh implementing it. In short, Wales are far from the finished article. Italy should have punished them and Ireland can beat them.
France displayed zero control in losing to England a fortnight ago and Warren Gatland has learned the relevant lessons. He is fully cognisant of his side's attacking ability but he is no fool. His selection of Jones at 10 ensures balance. There's no doubt James Hook is the boy in the bubble but to Gatland he's still a student of international rugby. Will he provide an impact on arrival? You bet he will.
This brings me back to defence. With 20 minutes left on the clock a fresh, motivated and extremely talented Hook could wreak carnage on an Irish side that will have given its all. The defensive system is critical in the opening 60 minutes but key in the final 20.
Why have Manchester United won so many matches in the last minute? Because exhausted opponents think they have done enough and lose concentration and a talented player (Eric Cantona) sneaks in to steal the show. Hook can be Cantona. He will become their biggest threat and must be stopped.
If Hook is the icing on the cake then Mike Phillips and Tom Shanklin are the base. Shanklin is a very underrated back; he oozes leadership. The competition for places in Wales has Phillips buzzing and the Irish fringe defence must remain disciplined, moving up, holding their channel. The temptation will be to follow Phillips and leave holes.
What puts the Six Nations head and shoulders over the Tri-Nations is the variety from match to match. Italy followed by France, then Scotland and now Wales: all very different challenges for Ireland.
Over the weeks I have focused on defence - the "ankle tackle" against France, the double team against Scotland. Today it is the chassis-stopping variety required at chest height. We're all Celts so physique is not a defining issue. So it becomes the fine balance between the defensive system and the mental.
Today the Irish must counter the Welsh attack, which is somewhat muted off first phase. It's their broken play that warrants serious attention. They are the only Six Nations side that can convert dead-slow ruck ball into seven points. Their strength is their ability to create go-forward ball. They do this by employing the diamond formation off 10 and 12, where they get strong ball-carriers running hard lines from depth and the 5ft 7in Shane Williams sneaking about amid the pine trees Ryan Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones and Ian Gough, ready to pounce.
Wales's running game has been their trump card for several seasons but Neil Jenkins has worked wonders on the kicking of Jones and Hook - 21 out of 21 from the Welsh outhalves thus far is incredible. Ireland must remember Ronan O'Gara can get us out of only so much trouble. The penalty count must remain low, referee Wayne Barnes is a tricky customer.
So what can we expect? Ireland have struggled to rise above poor opposition and the Welsh are far from poor. Ireland must be on fire today, challenging on all fronts. The game will be helter-skelter, with Shane Williams popping up to dictate play. His quick penalty against Italy showed his confidence; he thinks he'll score every time he gets ball.
With that in mind Ireland should force lineouts and starve the speedy Welsh wingers of chances to counterattack. Expect to see Shane Horgan using his height and bulk to devastating effect. And Wales's lineout is ripe for plucking. A mighty match is in store with so much at stake but someone will lose today so O'Sullivan and Gatland would be wise to remember the immortal words: "Grown men cry too, Mr Lebowski."
