Paul O'Connell is on guard for Welsh Dragons

Paul O’Connell has warned his Ireland side to expect a bigger challenge from Wales in Cardiff today than that posed by England in Dublin a fortnight ago. 

Ireland resume their bid for an RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam against a resurgent Welsh side which has regained its momentum after an opening defeat by the English in the same arena five weeks ago.

Having been blitzed by England’s pack in the second half, Warren Gatland’s team have beaten Scotland in Edinburgh and France in Paris and now return to Cardiff with the aim of halting Ireland’s Grand Slam bid and resurrecting their own championship hopes with a home finale against Italy to follow next week.

Irish captain O’Connell, set to become just the fourth Ireland play to reach 100 caps today, following in the footsteps of John Hayes, Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara, understands what’s at stake as his team chases a record-breaking 11th win in a row and referenced a similar Welsh revival two years ago when Gatland’s side rebounded from an opening home defeat to the Irish to take the title.

“There’s a lot of things can happen in a rugby match that can deny you a result,” O’Connell said. “We’re playing an excellent side, a team that historically get better as a championship goes along.

“We know what happened two years ago, they lost quite badly in the first game and went on to get better and better throughout the tournament and that’s what can happen.”

The veteran second row, 35, believes as significant as the 19-9 victory over England was in round three, today’s encounter with Wales will require his side to play better than ever.

“While the England game was a great result I think there were a lot of things we would like to improve on.

“I think England are a great side but I don’t think they played well against us and of all the teams Wales later in the championship playing at home, we’re going to come across a great side tomorrow. That’s going to be a bigger challengethan England, given the performance they produced two weeks ago.”

Ireland assistant coach Greg Feek yesterday declared an injury-free squad following the captain’s run session at the Millennium Stadium, with hamstring concern Johnny Sexton fit to face the Welsh at fly-half.