Osprey Thomas looking for fast Welsh start against Ireland

The Welsh come into the game in Dublin as firm outsiders after suffering nine defeats in their last ten Six Nations games and now face an Ireland side looking to be the first side to achieve successive Grand Slams.

Andy Farrell’s team have won 38 of their last 40 Tests at home and have only seen loses to England in 2019 and France two years later during that period.

The in form Irish, despite their disappointment at the World Cup in the autumn are also closing in on England’s Six Nations record-equalling 11 successive wins and remain undefeated since being toppled by France two years ago.

For Wales, it has been a long 12 years since their last victory in Dublin having lost six and drawn one in their last seven Six Nations matches at the Aviva Stadium since a late Leigh Halfpenny penalty secured a 23-21 triumph back in 2012.

Ospreys prop Thomas, however, feels if Wales can get off to a strong start they can produce an upset.

“It is obviously going to be a challenge for us,” said Thomas.

“They are playing some really good rugby at the minute, but watching their first two games, people are letting them play like that.

“I think we have to start fast, go at them and not accept their style of play, because they will be very good.

“I think we need to go after them, beating them physically, if we don’t start like that then we have no chance.

“It is up to us to go at them defensively and stop that smooth kind of attack they have got.

“We have lost a lot of senior boys, which is always difficult, but I am enjoying trying to help the younger boys who haven’t had that experience yet.

“We have got a group who are listening, learning and working really hard, so there is a good energy about the place.

“It is such fine margins in terms of getting those last two games to be wins. If we had had those two wins, we would have been in a very good place.

“We are going to need the same amount of effort that has gone into those first two games again, but close the game off a little bit better as well.”

[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]