Rees: Ireland clash will shape our campaign

Former Wales captain Matthew Rees has played in some big Test matches against Ireland — and this season’s RBS 6 Nations opener is high on the scale.

It is not overstating the case to suggest Wales’ Six Nations campaign could stand or fall on events at the Millennium Stadium in 10 days’ time.

Most pundits will make Ireland favourites to win, given their demolition of Argentina last time out. Wales, in contrast, have not beaten another Test-playing nation since last season’s Six Nations.

On that occasion, Wales saw off France to secure a third Six Nations title and Grand Slam in eight years, which came less than six months after they reached the World Cup semi-finals.

But things subsequently developed into a tale of woe results-wise, with Wales suffering seven successive defeats that included rare triumphs in Cardiff for Argentina and Samoa.

It is against that backdrop that Wales face a demanding first week of the Six Nations, with a trip to Paris following just seven days after they host Ireland.

“With three successive games on the road France, Italy and Scotland — it underlines how important that first game is at home to Ireland,” said hooker Rees, who was replaced by Sam Warburton as Wales captain after the 2011 World Cup.

“The most important thing for us is we make sure we learn from what happened in the autumn.

“We’ve got some new faces involved in the squad, and for us it is a fresh challenge. There is a lot of competition for places, and hopefully that will bring the best out of the players.

“We know how disappointing we were in the autumn series with four losses, but that is all in the past now and we’ve got to make sure we learn from that.”

Rees, 32, faces a major battle for the number two jersey with Ospreys forward Richard Hibbard, yet his appetite remains as healthy as it was when he first broke through into the international game almost eight years ago.

“To be part of any Wales squad is a huge honour, and I treat this like my first one,” he added.

“It’s a massive Six Nations, and in terms of defending the title as well, and the Lions tour at the end of it. It’s huge for all the nations.

“We won it last year and we know that every team we play against will be coming at us. From our point of view, we’ve got a great squad with some new players coming in, and we are all looking forward to that first game against Ireland.”