Paul O'Connell wants Ireland's good habits to continue against Wales

Ireland face a Wales side in the Six Nations on Friday night aiming to break a 14-game losing streak in the competition

Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell said players "need experiences to learn what it takes" to win matches at Test level. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Paul O’Connell has urged Ireland’s players to continue the positive habits they developed through a rough patch of form and displayed against England into the final two games of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations as the team bids to find some much needed consistency.

Ireland welcome winless Wales to Aviva Stadium this Friday night as their championship campaign resumes for a penultimate game following a fallow week in the competition. A mini-camp last Wednesday and Thursday for the core of the Irish squad saw Andy Farrell’s squad review their record Twickenham victory over England last Saturday week and while there was much to admire in a performance which delivered a 42-21 win, forwards coach O’Connell saw it as a product of the tough lessons picked up across a difficult stretch of games in 2025 and into the opening round of the current campaign.