\n<\/p>\n
It used to be Wales’ players and coaches winding up the Irish in Dublin.<\/p>\n
Trimble himself was left on the floor by Shane Williams in Wales’ Triple Crown victory in 2008 as the wonder wing scored the crucial try at Croke Park.<\/p>\n
Four years later, Trimble was left flailing at a rampaging Jonathan Davies who sprinted away to cross for two tries in the 2012 victory that set Wales on to a Grand Slam.<\/p>\n
Wales and Ireland’s relations in the past have been spicy, mainly in Warren Gatland’s first stint in charge as head coach.<\/p>\n
Gatland, a former Ireland coach, said the Welsh players disliked the Irish players the most in 2009 and you would often see the likes of Mike Phillips, Liam Williams and Gethin Jenkins scrapping with Paul O’Connell, Rob Kearney and Ronan O’Gara.<\/p>\n
That edge has disappeared in recent years. <\/p>\n
It has not been helped by Ireland’s dominance of this contest, with Wales having not won this fixture since 2021 and not tasting victory in the Six Nations in Dublin since 2012.<\/p>\n
The rivalry is crying out for some attitude. <\/p>\n
Wales captain Lake provided a bit of that by saying he believes his side can beat their opponents on Friday, while attack coach Matt Sherratt has predicted they can give their Irish opponents a scare. <\/p>\n
Those are bolder sentiments that some Welsh supporters are crying out for.<\/p>\n
Others prefer a more understated approach and head coach Tandy is deliberately more cautious in his messaging. <\/p>\n
Understandable, maybe, as he faces his eighth match in charge with six defeats and a one-point win against Japan marking his reign so far.<\/p>\n
Asked whether he believes this squad can go to Dublin and win, Tandy replied: “We are at the point where we can go there and be competitive.<\/p>\n
“That’s where it is. If we are competitive and bring large parts of what we did against Scotland, then I think we’ll be in the game to get the result we all want.”<\/p>\n
Tandy was later again asked whether Wales can believe they can win. His response?<\/p>\n
“I absolutely believe in this group,” said Tandy. “I believe in what we’re building and the players believe too and have grown in confidence. <\/p>\n
“We’re starting to understand more about what’s needed. I believe we will have a competitive performance on Friday night.”<\/p>\n
Whether a competitive showing is enough to give credence to talk of a mini Welsh revival remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
One thing is for certain: Lake, Tandy and the loyal travelling Welsh supporters will hope nobody is laughing at this Wales side after they have performed at the home of Irish rugby on Friday night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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