Retaining trophy is a harder task — Williams

WALES will chase their second successive Six Nations title today – and Martyn Williams believes it would represent “a bigger achievement” than last year’s Grand Slam.

Hopes of another Slam were lost in France three weeks ago but victory will guarantee a third Triple Crown in five seasons while the championship is a tougher proposition after Saturday’s narrow win over Italy leaves them requiring a 13-point win against unbeaten Ireland.

Star flanker Williams said: “For me, it would be a bigger achievement than last year’s Grand Slam.

“No-one expected us to do that, so we caught teams by surprise. This year, teams know what we are about. They have been ready for us, raised their games and targeted us. It would be a measure of how far we have come as a side, especially with the points difference we have to make up, if we win the championship.”

Williams is one of three current Welsh players (Shane Williams and Gavin Henson are the others) who started all ten Tests in the 2005 and 2008 Grand Slam campaigns. And he knows what Ireland’s history makers-in-waiting are going through.

“As much as you try and put it to the back of your mind, every newspaper they pick up or every television sports programme they watch is going to mention that,” said Williams. “Sometimes it can be a positive, sometimes a negative. We just have to wait and see how it affects them.

“It will be Grand Slam or bust for them. I remember England picking up the Six Nations trophy after they lost in Dublin a few years ago. They were flat and weren’t celebrating.

“I can put myself in Ireland’s shoes because the scenario was similar for us against France last year. We could lose by X number of points and still win the title, but that was the last thing on our minds. We went out there with one goal — to get that Grand Slam. I am sure Ireland will be thinking along the same lines.

“It’s a big advantage for us to be at home. We know the pressure is on them, and it will be a test for them how they handle it.

“And, hopefully, we can fulfil our potential, because we haven’t done so yet in this Six Nations. Beating them by 13 points is a big ask.”

Wales have only recorded such a winning margin against Ireland five times during the last 50 years, and not at all since Eddie Butler captained a 23-9 Cardiff triumph in 1983.

Ireland also boast an impressive record at the Millennium Stadium, beating Wales on three of their four previous visits – 36-6 (2001), 25-24 (2003) and 19-9 (2007).