Murray Kinsella reports from Cardiff

THE TOUGHEST GAME of Ireland’s Six Nations so far?

That seems to be the case, and this is the one we felt would be the stumbling block at the beginning of the championship. Take Wales to Dublin and you might give Ireland seven-point favouritism now, but home advantage makes a difference.

The Millennium Stadium, with roof open, as Ireland carried out their captain’s run yesterday. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

That said, Ireland have had good times in Cardiff, none more memorable than 2009.

There is such a sense of familiarity to this fixture, from the players who have served Wales consistently for a number of years, to Warren Gatland’s style of play, to the Millennium Stadium.

But even in that awareness of what awaits, there are new memories being wrought.

“It’s a fantastic stadium,” said Paul O’Connell after his captain’s run yesterday. ”Even I was jogging across the pitch with Jordi Murphy, he’s never played here before and when he came out, he looked around and thought it was an incredible stadium straight away.

Read into that what you will, but it seems a nice moment for replacement back row Murphy and his 100-cap captain.

Much of the build-up to this fixture, even this weekend of Six Nations rugby, has focused on how the game is being played. Ireland kick too often, Wales are too direct; elements of truth in both arguments perhaps, but not wholly representative of the real picture.

Ireland have done their utmost to break the opposition down with ball in hand, but it hasn’t clicked yet in this Six Nations. Joe Schmidt’s well-constructed starter plays were there against England, while Wales insist their players have license to pass for width.

Paul O’Connell goes through his preparation. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

“Who knows? When we played them last year there wasn’t much scrum work,” said Ireland assistant coach Greg Feek when asked how this game might look.

“Both teams want to play, especially Wales with the backline they have. So we’re prepared for it all, and that’s how you’ve got to be. It could be that on the day it could be something unforeseen might happen, but I think we’re prepared for whatever comes.”

That much is never really a doubt with Ireland under Schmidt; preparation is what his entire philosophy is built upon. The potential for a Grand Slam does of course flicker into their minds, but you believe O’Connell when he says it’s not the focus at this point.

“We had a fairly tough review of the England game in Belfast last week and then we started putting together a plan for Wales. That’s all across the board with Feeky’s stuff, with Simon Easterby’s stuff, Les [Kiss]‘s stuff, and Joe’s stuff. If you’re not fully focused on getting those small jobs right, I don’t think you can perform.