But while the 35-24 win in Athlone last season kick-started a first Grand Slam, the 26-25 opening round defeat in the 2016 Junior World Cup turned the tables and sent the Irish all the way to the final in Manchester. They finished as runners-up to England, while Wales were seventh.
“We are respectful of what Ireland will bring. When you have been in close games like they have and squeezed through it breeds confidence,” said Wales forwards scrum coach Chris Horsman.
“At this age it is all about player development and player pathways – we have a talented group of players and we want them to transition into regional rugby. They need to understand the importance of backing up a performance and the question we posed to them is how do they replicate that performance in Scotland, because that is what we need to do.”
Wales ran in eight tries in an amazing 65-34 win over the Scots in Round 3 with Neath and Ospreys centre Keiran Williams taking the man of the match award for his two touchdowns. Head coach Jason Strange has made only one change to the team that played in that game.
Cardiff Blues forward Shane Lewis-Hughes, who started every match in last season’s Grand Slam campaign, is named at blindside in place of Jim Botham. Botham drops to the bench after an impressive performance in Scotland.
“That game in Scotland was a bit like a Kevin Keegan football team – you score five and we’ll score six. The players were disappointed with aspects of their performance, but you have to remember they are only 18 and 19,” added Horsman.
“We’ve talked about some of the aspects we need to improve in our game and it is great that we’ve got such a strong squad and talented squad in which there is really healthy competition. Ireland are always very competitive – very physical and very intense – but it’s more about us looking after our performance and game.”
Ireland coach Nigel Carolan has made five changes from the team that beat France, three personnel and two positional. Jordan Larmour moves off the wing into full back, while Tommy O’Brien, the try-scoring man-of-the-match against the French, moves from the centre onto the right wing.
Calvin Nash leads the side from the left wing, while fit again Jack Kelly forms a new centre pairing with Ciaran Frawley after recovering from a shoulder injury. Wales will remember outside half Bill Johnston, because he kicked 11 points in the Junior World Championships victory last summer.
Lock Fineen Wycherley makes a quickfire return to Wales after making his Munster senior debut in the Guinness PRO12 win over Cardiff Blues last weekend. Flanker Gavin Coombes makes his first start of the campaign on the blindside.
“We’re very happy with how the side is progressing and developing so far in the Championship, but we know there is another big test ahead of us in Colwyn Bay. Wales have been going well in the competition and, despite a loss to England, they will be coming into this game full of confidence,” said Carolan.
Cardiff Blues loose head prop Rhys Carre will be chasing another try to go with the ones he has already claimed against Italy and Scotland, while Blues outside half Ben Jones will be hoping to add to his 53 points to date.
“Their back row is really intense at the breakdown and we will have to deal with the battle in that area first,” admitted Carre.
