Roberts out to spoil party for Irish centres

Jamie Roberts will allow neither sentiment nor friendship stop Wales from spoiling Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy’s special day in Cardiff.

Ireland’s tried and tested midfield duo will extend their world record centre partnership tomorrow in their 49th Test together. But any gratitude will be strictly limited to a pint in the players’ lounge of the Millennium Stadium.

“I will share a beer with them after the game but I will be out to spoil the party on Saturday,” said Roberts.

“It’s a pretty special record and they have proved a pretty impressive combination over the years for club and country. They are class players in their own right.

“D’Arcy is probably the unsung hero of that partnership, while O’Driscoll is rightly regarded as one of the finest centres ever to play.”

Head coach Rob Howley revealed Wales will look to attack Ireland’s experienced midfield axis and will also push for the game to be played “indoors” under a closed Millennium Stadium roof.

“The weather in Wales for the last 10 days has been pretty awful so we want to play in the best conditions,” Howley said.