WALES ARE OUT to avoid losing more than two games in a Six Nations campaign for the first time since 2010, but assistant coach Robin McBryde is adamant that most of the pressure will be on Ireland when the two sides meet tomorrow night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff [KO 8.05pm].
While they can still mathematically win the championship with two games remaining, Welsh hopes of a first title in four years have faded after defeats to England and Scotland followed their win against Italy on the opening weekend.
Ireland bounced back from their loss against Scotland in the first round of games by getting the better of Italy and France. A win tomorrow night in the Welsh capital could set up a decisive showdown against England in Dublin next weekend.
“It’s wrong for me to say there’s nothing for us to lose because we’re out of the championship. Long-term there’s World Cup rankings etc.,” McBryde said today.
“It’s a bit more on the Irish team, I think, because they’re building up to a big finale against England next week, so maybe they’ve got a little bit more to lose. Having said that, undoubtedly they’re favourites coming into the game tomorrow night so we’ve got to go at them right from the word ‘go’.”
McBryde did acknowledge that Wales have got pressure of their own to contend with. It’s been a disappointing campaign for them so far, with the team coming in for considerable criticism on the back of their 29-13 loss in Murrayfield a fortnight ago.
“We’re in a goldfish bowl in Wales and you’re aware of it,” he said. “If the national team doesn’t succeed you’re going to get a fair bit of flak and that’s life. Nothing changes. Rob Howley, Neil Jenkins, myself, anybody who was involved in Welsh rugby in the 90s or whatever, we know what it’s like and we know there’s no other way through it other than rolling up our sleeves and going at it again.
“Maybe a little bit smarter or just learning from your mistakes, perhaps that’s a new experience for this squad of players but they’ve got to come through it, knuckle down and they’ve just got to get through it. And until we do get that victory, that pressure’s obviously going to mount considerably. It’s in adversity that you show your true colours, so hopefully we’ll step up to the plate tomorrow night.”
