Eddie eyes Croker showdown

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan admits he fears a Wales side fuelled by confidence and is predicting a high-octane afternoon when the RBS 6 Nations rivals collide at Croke Park.

Self-belief is slowly being restored to the Irish psyche, with yesterday's 34-13 victory against Scotland building on the battling defeat in Paris.

Unbeaten Wales are one step ahead, with the new coaching regime of Warren Gatland and his lieutenant Shaun Edwards inspiring their own post-World Cup revival.

Italy were swatted aside 47-8 yesterday to leave the Welsh as the only remaining contenders for the Grand Slam and O'Sullivan accepts they will be formidable adversaries in two week's time.

"We saw in 2005 that Wales built momentum throughout the tournament and went on to win a Grand Slam," he said this morning.

"Wales are a very difficult team to play against when they're confident.

"All sides play better when they're confident but Wales do fire very well when they're on top of their game.

"They've had some great results in recent years against the top teams in the world, especially in Cardiff.

"They play well as a confidence team and they're in that frame of mind right now.

"We have to be up front about it, accept they're firing at the moment and believe in what they're doing.

"That makes them a force to be reckoned with."

O'Sullivan has braced Croke Park for a thriller - if the weather holds.

"It could be the match of the tournament," he said.

"Because of the direction we're going and because of our own growing confidence, we could have a cracking game on our hands.

"Both teams like to run and if it's a dry day at Croke Park, it will be all bets are off and a great spectacle."

O'Sullivan may be hyping the conflict to come on the pitch, but of equal significance will be the battle waged between the personalities on the sidelines.

Animosity exists between Gatland and O'Sullivan based on the manner of the former's controversial succession as Ireland coach by the latter, lending the occasion a fascinating sub-plot full of intrigue and unfinished business.

The build-up during the next fortnight will be overshadowed by their rivalry, but so far O'Sullivan has greeted the Kiwi's achievements for Wales with unreserved praise.

"New coaches have come to Wales and introduced fresh ideas, keeping the players on top of their toes," he said.

"They got off to a good start in the Six Nations, getting two important wins.

"The way Warren is rotating the squad points to a much better spread of talent than Wales had in 2005, when they won the Grand Slam.

"That's evident in the way they've moved selection around yet are still getting results.

"The Welsh team have much more depth than in 2005, but it's a similar style of play they're using."

The line-out remains an ongoing problem for Ireland, but forwards coach Niall O'Donovan refused to hold the throwing of hooker Bernard Jackman responsible.

"We were jittery at the line-out in the first half but then settled down," he said.

"Bringing two ball carriers in Jackman and Jamie Heaslip into the side always meant a trade-off at the line-out.

"I won't blame any one individual for that. People spent years blaming John Hayes for the problems at the scrum, but it's a collective thing.

"Jackman may have under-cooked a few throws at the start but some of the calls weren't right either."