We’ll pay the penalty for indiscipline, warns Gough

Mar 4 2008 by Andy Howell, Western Mail

IAN GOUGH has warned Wales discipline is the key as they brace themselves for a forward onslaught from Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

The lock was adamant Wales’ assault on the Triple Crown will be put in jeopardy if they give Irish marksman Ronan O’Gara easy pots at goal.

Gough, who was part of the last Wales team to win in Ireland in 2000, last night maintained, “Discipline is massive.

“We have got to keep in sight of them on the scoreboard, because if they get into an early lead and O’Gara keeps the scoreboard ticking it’s going to be a difficult afternoon.

“If we let them get into a lead like that the game will run away from us because they will make you pay for every little mistake.”

His expected opposite number, British Lions lock Donncha O’Callaghan, has placed Ireland’s cards firmly on the table.

The Munster hard-man didn’t mince his words, saying, “We might have to make it a bit of a dogfight against Wales.

“I know our backs are really talented but we have to make it a physical day out for Wales.

“We have to make it more direct and more physical and maybe more like a South African game.

“Wales could win playing brilliant, and we could win playing hopeless. But I wouldn’t care.”

Ireland hooker Rory Best has also declared war on the Welsh pack, telling Gough and his forward pals they have had it easy in the Six Nations.

“We feel they have not been pressurised yet. England put a bit of pressure on them at Twickenham but let them off the hook,” he claimed.

“We want to start well and then continue to do that for the full 80 minutes. We will take their line-out apart and see how we can benefit from it.”

Gough, whose last appearance for Wales in Dublin was during the record 54-10 defeat of six years ago, out-lined his respect for the Ireland pack.

“It has been together for a long time. They haven’t had that many changes and they are proven players who time and time again put in the performances,” said the 31-year-old.

“Irish locks like Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan have a massive work ethic and just keep going.

“It’s a big task – they are playing well at the moment and they have got confidence but I enjoy going to Ireland. It’s always a big battle and a big test to face up to.”

The Ospreys forward has started all three of Wales’ wins, against England, Scotland and Italy, which has resulted in them sitting at the top of the Six Nations table.

Wales head to Ireland, who are also chasing the Triple Crown and the championship, for their Croke Park showdown fresh from their 47-8 victory over Italy.

Gough lost 5kg, nearly 11lb, in weight during that clash, putting it down to the heat, the pace of the match and the effort needed to combat the Azzurri.

“Italy was a pretty tough game. There was a pretty high ball-in-play time – it was close on 40 minutes,” he said.

“Don’t take anything away from the Italians – they really made us work hard for 50 minutes – and coach Warren Gatland told us to keep working so we eventually managed to break them.

“Like the other two games we were pretty strong going into the last 10 minutes.”

But the former Dragons player predicted, “We will have to go up another level this weekend against Ireland.

“I’ve never played at Croke Park but I’ve heard a lot about it. It’s got a nice big, wide-open pitch and it’s got a much bigger capacity so there will be a lot more volume.

“Ireland have beaten Italy as well and they are on a bit of a run at the moment. They had a good win against Scotland and they are getting back to something like the form they would want.”

Gough admitted Gatland’s part-time assistant and defence guru Shaun Edwards, the former rugby league great, has been hugely influential over the past two months.

“Shaun is brilliant – you get four seasons in one day with him,” he quipped.

“Sometimes you don’t know how to take him. He goes around the place snarling and you certainly don’t want to miss a tackle or he’ll bite your leg off.

“He’s a pretty tenacious character. His enthusiasm, especially his enthusiasm for defence, rubs off. Nobody wants to upset him.

“I’m lucky I haven’t been shouted at yet but it’s only around the corner. I don’t want to count my chickens because a few of the boys have had tongue lashings off him.

“Nobody is jovial in defence sessions, everyone is focused and he’s brought a lot to us.”

Gatland is due to announce his team today with Wales favourites for the Six Nations title and the Grand Slam. Ireland have a potential selection headache at full-back with Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey both injury doubts.

Murphy did not train yesterday after suffering an Achilles injury while playing for Leicester on Saturday, while Dempsey took a limited part but is still a doubt because of a hip strain.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan is also due to name his side today and their potential absence could see rookie winger Rob Kearney switch positions with Shane Horgan coming back in as a wide man.