Hansen On Ireland

With two impressive victories in the last two tests against Wales, the Irish will travel full of confidence and no doubt as favourites to make it three in a row against us.

You have to admire players of the calibre of Brian O’Driscoll and Dennis Hickie and if Keith Wood is fit to play then he will make a major impact.

The Irish provinces have proved themselves harder and harder to beat, but at least all the Welsh players will know what to expect from their Irish counterparts having been exposed to them in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup.

As with England and Scotland, this will be the first of two games against the Irish in the build-up to the World Cup and a win at the Millennium Stadium would be a huge confidence booster.

Hansen on England

Hansen on Italy

Hansen on Scotland