Wales eye up impossible Dublin job in Six Nations rivalry that risks losing its shine

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Wales have lost nine of their last 10 Six Nations games while, conversely, victory for Ireland on Saturday would see them equal England’s all-time record of 11 straight victories in the tournament. Having just led the team to a runners-up finish in the 2001 Six Nations – only missing out on the title on points difference, beating an England side that would conquer the world just two years later and routing Wales by 30 points – Gatland was stunned that, in a short meeting at Landsdowne Road, the IRFU informed him his contract wasn’t being renewed. open image in gallery Warren Gatland coached Ireland when Brian O’Driscoll inspired them to hammer Wales in the 2001 Six Nations Ahead of a 2009 contest between the sides, Gatland famously told the media: “Of all the teams in the Six Nations, the Welsh players dislike the Irish the most and they are all very motivated to be playing on Saturday.” Was Gatland projecting his own feelings towards their Celtic rival? Whatever the truth, Gatland’s presence has added spice to the rivalry and he’s been up to some of his old tricks this week, trying to unsettle Ireland’s rookie full back Ciaran Frawley – who starts for the injured Hugo Keenan – by writing in his Daily Telegraph column that Wales “can look to put pressure on Frawley” and suggesting that “he predominantly plays at 10 and 12 for Leinster and in the two games he played at full back for them, they lost.” He also boldly claimed that Wales would rather face Ireland’s full starting XV rather than the second-string side they played against Italy last time out, due to being more familiar with the regular starters.