Looking ahead to next weekend's Six Nations fixtures, very few rugby supporters are expecting Wales to cause Ireland many problems at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Andy Farrell's side have been in superb form so far in this championship, producing convincing victories over both France and Italy to get their title defence underway. They have also played some scintillating rugby along the way, especially in Marseille.
In contrast, Wales come into this game on the back of successive losses. They have largely failed to impress during the games against Scotland and England, even if they did produce a spirited comeback that ultimately came up just short against the former.
In all, it's fair to say hopes are not high among the Welsh that a shock could be on the cards.
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Former Wales star worried for Wales' Six Nations clash with Ireland
Ahead of the game against Ireland, some former Wales internationals are worried about the task that lays ahead for their old team. Shane Williams said earlier this week that he 'feared' for Warren Gatland's men ahead of the Six Nations trip to Dublin, a sentiment shared by his ex-teammate Tom Shanklin.
Speaking on BBC Wales Scrum V, the former Wales centre said that the quality Ireland possess means that he is worried for the Welsh heading into that fixture. He also hailed the Irish as a 'once-in-a-generation' team.
I am worried because you’re playing against one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team.
They are a team that would have had two weeks rest as well. A team that are unbeaten at the moment, and we’re going there not full of confidence against probably a once-in-a-generation team...
I am a little bit worried because they’re just so good. They’re so well drilled, and they’ve got a little kid who sings the anthem, who is better than anything I’ve ever seen.
Ireland are certainly heavy favourites to win that game, with the home team expected to secure a bonus point victory in order to keep their quest for a second consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam alive.
Wales are in the process of blooding a new group of players, meaning they will use the remainder of this championship as the opportunity to give their squad some top level experience. They will just be hoping that they can give a good account of themselves in Dublin on this occasion.
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