NORTH: WALES CAN GO TO ANOTHER LEVEL

WALES know they will need to improve if they are to overcome Ireland in Cardiff next weekend and land the Grand Slam they crave. Warren Gatland’s men saw off Scotland 18-11 in Murrayfield on Saturday but slackened off in the second half, with their coach admitting they looked like a team whose thoughts had already drifted to the Irish challenge a week later. And, with Joe Schmidt’s men returning to form in yesterday’s dismissal of France, there is no risk of any complacency in Welsh ranks before what is promising to be an epic showdown. ‘Sometimes winning is winning,’ said star winger George North (left), when reflecting on Wales’ record run of 13 successive victories. ‘But ever since the November series, we have been a yard off the pace. We have shown glimpses but we haven’t hit our straps yet. We know there is another level, there is plenty to work on.’ Ominous for Ireland, given how Gatland reckons his team have ‘forgotten how to lose’ and the Kiwi is desperate to round off his final Six Nations campaign with his third Grand Slam. ‘We respect Ireland hugely but I know our players get incredibly motivated playing Ireland because a lot of them have been on the losing end against them, particularly against their provincial teams. ‘We just want to finish it off now. When you are presented with the opportunity to win a Grand Slam, you want to take it with both hands.’ While unbeaten Wales admit they can raise their game, the side they beat two weeks ago are being touted in the southern hemisphere as the strongest in this Six Nations. Eddie Jones’ side looked impressive in dismissing Italy 57-14 at Twickenham on Saturday. It may have come at home against the tournament whipping boys, but England’s victory showcased a ruthlessness Ireland and Wales were unable to unleash when they faced Conor O’Shea’s men. It sets up England as serious World Cup contenders in Japan this autumn but Jones (who backed the introduction of relegation after the Italy thrashing) is refusing to look beyond getting revenge on Scotland in their final Six Nations outing on Saturday. ‘We saw how they carried on when they beat us in Murrayfield last year,’ said Jones. ‘I remember everything that was said. They pulled our pants down badly last year so we have to make sure we finish this game with our pants up.’