Ronan O'Gara and Mike Phillips joined Monday Night Rugby to discuss their expectations for Ireland and Wales in the upcoming Six Nations.

O'Gara could scarcely contain his anticipation for the opening match in Cardiff, mainly because of the involvement of one of his oldest friends.

Ronan O'Gara on Ireland-Wales

"There is so much in [this expectation] than there has ever been for a first-round game of the Six Nations, because there is massive excitement," O'Gara said.

"Maybe I'm overly excited because Paul [O'Connell] is involved! I know how good he is and I know how much better he will make a lot of players. He has a great ability to communicate very simply and get his message very simply, which is important in rugby.

"I feel that Wales, since I have been involved in professional rugby, there are so many questions to answer that they never had [before].

"Their form has never had so many question marks over it. Wales have been very, very good for a number of years, culminating in three Grand Slams. But this home game for them is absolutely massive and it is a huge game for Ireland, because the first game in a Six Nations gives you momentum and then it fires you into a French game at home full of confidence.

"But if you weren't to get the result, it makes it feel like a difficult campaign, which is a horrible feeling after only one game."

Game plan

So where will Ireland try to get the beating of Wayne Pivac's side?

"I think where Ireland have got success is when they have manhandled Wales up front. I believe that a solid scrum, a solid lineout and winning collisions; the backs should be able to get your team over the line with that kind of a platform.

"You don't need more than parity against Wales in that regard. I think Ireland have shone against Wales when they have decided to take them on up front. With that, it will be interesting to see how they launch their maul and scrum; two areas that are hugely important to the game of rugby.

"Those points of being strong on your basics, coupled with a little bit of potential to play more what you see from Andy Farrell - that will suit Ireland well.

"The roof may be closed, and if it is closed you can maybe play ball and that will suit players that want to put tempo into it. Hugo Keenan, Larmour, Earls and Ringrose on the pitch, there are a lot of sprightly players on the pitch if we want to change it up.

"It will be fascinating to see just how they go about attacking - do they try and play the ball out of the tackle or if they will play more of a ruck game."

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