Many question marks remain over whether Ireland are back on track ahead of their game with Wales on Saturday, according to Ronan O’Gara.
While Andy Farrell’s side came out on top in their opening Six Nations match against Scotland, they struggled in many facets of the game and look to be low on confidence.
The former Ireland international was speaking on Monday Night Rugby and found reasons to be confident going into a game against a Wales side who were impressive in their 42-0 defeat of Italy at the weekend.
“It depends again what your mindset is and whether you go with it as an opportunity or is it daunting?
“It’s trying to find its stride is where it’s at, I think. They haven’t found it, for good reason, for well over a year. So all the question marks are out there.
“But if you keep telling them that it’s daunting then they’ll probably start believing that. I’m not sitting on the fence but I think you’ve got to inspire these guys.
“If Ireland get a win against Wales it’ll change everything. Even if it’s like the win at the weekend. I think we should probably be grateful because it could’ve been a defeat [against Scotland].
“Imagine the mood now [if it was]. Small margins. Small things become the big things when you do them well,” O’Gara said.
The former Munster fly-half felt that winning or losing against Wales could be massive to Ireland moving forward as it could give them a much-needed confidence boost or diminish it even further.
“You know, it’s probably Wales favourites at the weekend, but who cares? As opposed to 2018 there are question marks everywhere. When we were on top of our game and there was flow the weeks flew.
“Now it’s a team that, as you say, are pretty patched up from the weekend and any more injuries or underperformances will erode confidence levels more,” O’Gara commented.
Ireland take on Wales at the Aviva Stadium at 2.15 pm with both sides looking to make it two wins from two in this year’s Six Nations.
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