Simon Easterby cool as Wales bid to turn up Six Nations heat

Simon Easterby insists Ireland will not be drawn into a war of words or indulge in any mind games with their Welsh counterparts before the countries meet in round four of the Six Nations in Cardiff tomorrow week.

Warren Gatland has been known to launch the odd verbal grenade prior to crucial games, never more so than in 2009 when he claimed Welsh players disliked the Irish more than any of the other home nations. His assistant, Shaun Edwards, fashioned his own teaser prior to the last round of fixtures when calling for the banning of the choke tackle, a tactic pioneered by Ireland back in 2011.

Easterby knows both men well given his long stint in the principality with the Scarlets and, like all the regional coaches, he spent time in the Welsh camp on the invitation of the national team management.