Barry John

W ALES should not fear their trip to Dublin to face Ireland next Saturday because the performances and shifts they have put in during the first two rounds of a really good Six Nations tournament haveexceeded all expectations.

Their beating of Scotland was exciting and wonderful to watch, but we must allow for Gregor Townsend and his team having completely lost the plot and script for that game.

You could see the acknowlegement of that fact in the way they beat France at Murrayfield last weekend for, in the championship rugby, you need to get the nitty-gritty right from the very beginning.

Wales gave me more confidence about the immediate future, not from their game with Scotland but by the way they came back from 12 points down in as many minutes at Twickenham to shut out a powerful England side that has won successive Six Nations titles for the remainder of the match.

And, although Wales’ contentious disallowed try has played a major part in the post-match analysis of that rubber, I feel what’s happened has happened and that Wales will keep developing.

Despite their glut of injuries, they are a particularly solid and resilient team. Their effort in keeping England out and in taking the game to them was quite exceptional and I feel this more than anything will give them huge confidence when they run out at the Aviva Stadium.

So many players have stepped up to the plate when given their chance in the absence of the likes of Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton and others.

Coach Warren Gatland, to his credit, hasn’t moaned one iota about the situation and has been happy to just go with the flow. His philosophy has been to get on with it.

The way, in particular, the backrow has developed this season has been incredible. Gatland has mentioned development for the World Cup in 18 months’ time and, with that in mind, he must be particularly pleased.

Aaron Shingler, Ross Moriarty and Josh Navidi have developed to be as good a breakaway trio as any in the championship.

The performance of the front five has been quite amazing. Not only do they do their designated jobs as required, but all of them have joined in during broken play and showed some wonderful handling skill and dexterity.

The front row of Ken Owens, Rob Evans and Samson Lee have been first-class, Cory Hill has been the revelation at lock, whilst my admiration for Alun Wyn Jones as a captain and player continues to soar.

Half-back is obviously critical, particularly when you come up against probably the best duo in the Six Nations in Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray.

That pair hold the cards for the Irish. The way Sexton took charge in the final seconds in Paris against France in calling and executing the winning drop goal was simply astonishing.

Wales have got some more players available for the mission the other side of the Irish Sea and it will be difficult for Gatland not to consider George North, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny for his starting lineup.

Frankly, I would play all three. Although Liam and George haven’t had much game-time since last autumn, it matters very little because class is permanent.

Dan Biggar’s probable continued absence means it’s between Rhys