Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr has made an offer of assistance to Welsh manager Mark Hughes and the Welsh FA in their preparations for the European Championship play-off games against Russia in Moscow and Cardiff next month.
Mick McCarthy was in charge when Ireland went down 4-2 to the Russians in the opening Group 10 qualifying game at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Moscow on September 7th last year but Kerr was at the helm for the 1-1 draw at Lansdowne Road in September.
"I will be happy to help Mark in every way I can by giving him a dossier on the Russian players and videos of their games in the Group 10 qualifying campaign," Kerr told the Football Association of Ireland website.
"It would be magnificent if Wales could reach the Euro finals in Portugal next summer as I know that the last time they reached a major finals was way back at the World Cup in Sweden in 1958. Mark did very well to lead his team to the runners-up position behind Italy in their group.
"It won't be easy against Russia who are a well established football nation and regularly qualify for both the World Cup and European Championship finals. They have an excellent home record."
In their qualifying campaign the Russians enjoyed home wins over Albania (4-1), Switzerland (4-1) and Georgia (3-1). But their away form was not so impressive as they lost 1-0 to Georgia in Tbilisi, 3-1 to Albania in Tirana and then drew 2-2 with Switzerland.
But that was still good enough to finish as runners-up to automatic qualifiers Switzerland.
"Russia are very strong at home. But if Wales can get a decent result in the first leg in Moscow in what will be very cold conditions, then they have every chance of reaching the finals," added Kerr. "I hope it comes true for the Welsh and if asked, we will do our best to help them."