Warren Gatland’s side face an Ireland side who have bounced back from an opening round defeat to England by defeating Scotland, Italy and France respectively. And despite being unbeaten in this year’s Guinness Six Nations forwards coach McBryde believes Wales must up their game if they are to beat Ireland.
“We have got to be disciplined, that’s one thing we have got to improve from the weekend against Scotland because we gave them numerous opportunities within 10 metres of our try-line,” said McBryde.
“As Ireland showed against France, if you give them the same opportunities, they will take them. You have got to be disciplined otherwise you are going to give them an opportunity to get in your 22.
“They are pretty clinical when they get into that area of the field so, first and foremost, we have got to be squeaky-clean, very disciplined but try and put them under pressure. France didn’t put them under that amount of pressure and made life a little bit too easy for them so we have got to get that balance right.”
Joe Schmidt’s side are currently the second ranked side in the world having won 23 out of their previous 25 test matches. And with Wales’ players regularly facing their Irish counterparts on a weekly basis in the Guinness PRO14 McBryde think this fixture has acquired an extra edge.
“The players are familiar with each other having been on numerous British and Irish Lions tours together,” he said.
“With that familiarity there is a respect for each other and it brings an extra edge. It is a lot more personal when you want to beat the guy you know and that will be the case on Saturday.
“There will be lot of personal battles and scores to settle and hopefully we will have some rugby being played as well
Both teams are used to playing on the big stage when something is at stake and once you have tasted success you know there is no secret formula to it. It will be no different on Saturday.”
