Shane Williams insists Wales are confident of ending Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes with Warren Gatland’s squad reporting a clean bill of health ahead of their trip to Lansdowne Road.
Lions tourists Taulupe Faletau, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar are all available for Wales after recovering from injury, and former international Williams predicts a torrid time for Joe Schmidt’s men if the visitors reproduce the form they showed in beating Scotland.
After struggling to break down France, Ireland leaked three second-half tries in their 56-19 win over Italy, while Wales followed up their 34-7 hammering of Scotland with a more defensive performance in a 12-6 loss to England.
Leigh Halfpenny is ready to return to the fold after missing the England defeat through illness
Taulupe Faletau is available for selection after missing the first two weeks of the Six Nations
‘Ireland have conceded tries in this championship, Italy scored some tries as well on the flanks, which says to me really that you can attack Ireland,’ Williams explained.
‘We didn’t see enough attacking in the Welsh team [against England]. When they play with tempo and take it to the defensive line, they look very dangerous.
‘Against Scotland, for 70 minutes of that game they just attacked Scotland and almost wore them out, and that’s why they were so convincing in the end..’ Former Wales winger Shane Williams believes that Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland is a free shot for his countrymen.
Ireland go into the game as favourites having won their opening two fixtures, but Williams believes Wales can get a result in Dublin if they can replicate the form they showed in their 34-7 opening day demolition of Scotland.
Dan Biggar suffered a shoulder injury playing for the Ospreys in the Champions Cup last month
‘Ireland are expected to win at the weekend,’ he said. ‘They’re two from two, they have another home game and played a bit more freely against Italy.
‘Wales are coming from a loss, and Warren Gatland being Warren Gatland will come out and say that Wales are going to win the game, that’s great for the lads but it is a tough game.
‘Wales have just got to go up there and play a style of rugby that suits them.’
George North is fit to travel to Dublin for the crucial clash with Ireland on Saturday
The three-times Lions tourist, who was famously told that he was too small to make it in the professional game before going on to become Wales’ all-time highest try scorer, also provided some words of wisdom for 20-year-old Jordan Larmour, who made his Ireland debut as a second-half substitute against Italy.
‘Keep the enjoyment and keep people guessing, that is what is beating defences at the moment,’ explained Williams.
‘I’ve certainly seen him involved a lot in the Pro14. He looks one hell of a talent.’
Welsh legend Shane Williams will be in Dublin on Saturday to help Guinness give Welsh fans a welcome with a difference
Liam Williams proved his fitness with a try-scoring performance for Saracens on Friday