RHYS PRIESTLAND HAS yet to lose to Ireland in his Test career and is in no mood to start this Saturday.
The Welsh out-half was involvement in the World Cup win over Ireland in 2011 and the 23-21 thriller at Lansdowne Road the following Six Nations season. Having won the Welsh 10 jersey back from Dan Biggar, Priestland insists he is ready for whatever Ireland can muster next time out.
“There’s a buzz about the place and we’re ready to have the kitchen sink thrown at us from the way Ireland have been talking,” Priestland told the WRU website.
“It’s going to be hostile out there and from listening to them you can tell there’s a lot of emotion. They are the rivals we know best because both countries have four teams in the Pro12 and come up against each other quite often. We are familiar with the way we both play.” He added:
Ireland are on a high and are desperate to stop us winning a third title. But we are desperate to win and it doesn’t matter what we’re up against, we will give our best because it means so much to play for Wales.”
Priestland’s creative side sparkled on occasion against the Italians in the unconvincing 23-15 home win. He was one of a handful of Welsh players that could be happy with their personal contribution in a game that Italy could have snatched with some assured goal-kicking. The Scarlets out-half was impressed with Ireland’s opening day win over Scotland and the manner in which they pushed New Zealand so close last November.
He commented, “We are under no illusions about how difficult it is going to be, the toughest challenge we will face in the Six Nations, maybe.
“Defensively, we are going to have to be at our best. We need to improve with the ball in hand from last week, but defences win you championships.”
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