It’s time to prove our point, says Warburton
AFTER their humbling at Murrayfield last time out, Sam Warburton readily acknowledges that Wales have a point to prove when they tackle Ireland tonight.
Wales will dip to a ten-year low in the tournament if they come unstuck under the Principality Stadium floodlights.
They have not lost three successive Six Nations games in one season since 2007, but after defeats against England and Scotland effectively ended their title hopes, that is the possible scenario facing them.
Ireland have toppled Wales five times from eight previous Six Nations visits to Cardiff, while the visitors will keep their title race alive if they win, setting up a Dublin showdown with England next week.
Wales boss Rob Howley has retained the entire starting line-up and replacements’ bench that featured in Edinburgh 13 days ago, bemusing those critics who felt changes were inevitable following a second-half implosion when Scotland scored 20 unanswered points.
And former Wales captain Warburton, who lines up in the back row alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, accepts that a response is required.
‘We’ve seen it in the past where we have let ourselves down, gone back out the week after and produced a positive reaction,’ he said. ‘I am sure the coaches and players are expecting that to happen again.
‘We have points to prove. The second-half performance against Scotland was not up to scratch. There are quite a few things to put right there and, as a team, we have the opportunity to do that.
‘When we actually look at the games (England and Scotland), if we were getting completely outplayed, I would be a little bit worried. But when we look back — and the players have spoken about it — individual errors have let us down in certain moments of matches.
‘We are talking about the last 15 minutes against England and perhaps the first 15 minutes of the second half versus Scotland. They are easy fixes and we are hoping (against Ireland) we will be a lot more disciplined, which will hopefully help us through.’ Asked about criticism after the Scotland defeat, Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde added: ‘I think each individual deals with it differently. If you go looking for it, you are going to find criticism. ‘As far as I am concerned, when you are taking part in international rugby as a player, as a coach, you are under constant pressure. Maybe a little bit more so in Wales. The way we react to it, that can only be shown on the field.
‘For myself, personally, there is still a level of hurt from the Scottish defeat and I am sure the players are feeling that as well, so we need to react in a positive manner against what will be a very confident Ireland team.
‘Because there are no changes (in the team), there are no excuses. We’ve shown faith in them as coaches that we feel there is a lot more to come. They are deserving of that opportunity and this is their shot at it.
‘Until we do get that victory, obviously pressure is going to mount considerably. It’s in adversity that you show your true colours. Hopefully, we will step up to the plate.’ Warburton and company completed their preparations with a training session at the Principality Stadium yesterday, after which McBryde confirmed the stadium roof would be closed for Ireland’s visit.
‘It is staying closed,’ said McBryde. ‘Ireland are more than happy to go with our decision. It will be a fantastic atmosphere.’
Ireland skipper Rory Best agreed — but insisted his side could cope with the environment.
‘I suppose we know what the atmosphere in a Wales-Ireland game is like anyway,’ he said.
‘We’ve played here at the World Cup with the roof closed, so we know how loud it’s going to get.
‘The France game was very loud and the quarter-final particularly. I suppose you’ll not know until after the match whether we were right to agree to have the roof closed or not, but I keep going back to the fact that we want to play in as close to perfect conditions as you can get. And closing the roof gives the guarantee of no rain.
‘So we felt there were elements of our play against France compromised by the weather.’
Wales have been left frustrated by Six Nations bosses refusing to amend rules and let all their home games be staged under a closed roof.
The visiting team must continue to agree to shut the stadium roof. But where England refused earlier in the tournament, Ireland have been far less concerned.
And even when the crowd hits its decibel peak tonight, Best insisted Ireland will be able to cope.
‘We have a plan in place to adapt if we can’t hear each other,’ said Best, with Ireland ready to adopt hand signals to replace calls where required.
‘But, ultimately, we feel we can communicate with each other. We can adapt one way or the other.’