Warren Gatland’s suggestion that Ireland are prone to freezing on the big stage has been countered by Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip, who insisted today Declan Kidney’s side was packed with winners and “quality both on and off the pitch”.

Victory at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday would secure Ireland’s first championship honours since 1985 and complete a first clean sweep for 61 years – only the second in history for an Irish team, while Wales need to win by at least 13 points to successfully defend their crown.

The Wales coach yesterday pointed to the poor World Cup performance in 2007 and a disappointing showing against New Zealand last autumn as evidence Ireland haven’t got the stomach for a fight or the nerve to complete the Grand Slam.

Heaslip, a Magners League winner with Leinster, disagrees, and argues that behind the scenes and on pitch Ireland have a winning mindset.

“We’ve got a great coaching staff but we also we’ve got Heineken Cup winners and Magners League winners in the squad,” he said. “These are guys who have won different things throughout their careers.

“We’ve got Lions players and the captain of the Lions (Brian O’Driscoll) is our captain. We’ve got great quality both on and off the pitch.

“The staff are going to try and get us into the best shape and give us the best of everything right up to the game.

“But once that ball is kicked off, it really boils down to the 22 guys who are involved.”

Heaslip should soon be a Lion himself come the summer tour to South Africa after emerging as one of the most exciting players of the Six Nations.

Crucial tries against France and Scotland point to a big-game temperament while his athleticism and appetite for work have made him a central figure in the Irish team.

However, his form did not stop head coach Declan Kidney from dropping him for the 22-15 victory over Scotland — a decision that is reported to have mystified the 25-year-old.

“It’s natural not to be happy when you’re left out of the team, especially if you’ve been starting and things have been going well,” said Heaslip. “But once the coach makes a decision, you’ve got to go with it. You’re not going to change his mind.

“Granted I sat down and talked with Declan, but I knew talking with him wasn’t going to change his mind.”

Kidney’s policy throughout the tournament has been to distance Ireland from any discussion of the Grand Slam - an approach that his rubbed off on the players.

“We can’t control how much expectation people want to put on this game or how much weight they want to put behind it,” said Heaslip. “All we can control is the way we prepare for the match and then when we’re in the game, how we play.

“Other than that it’s outside of our hands. I’m sure there will be a lot talked about it and a lot written about it.

“All we’re worried about is playing our game, playing the way we want to play, coming up with a game plan and doing that.

“If we get carried away with everything else it will mean sod all and we won’t play to our potential.

“And we must play to our potential on Saturday to be in with a shout against Wales.”