RUGBY:RUMBLE IN the jungle it ain't, not least because the two main protagonists won't actually be hopping through the ropes. And thankfully, the preamble has been over two weeks rather than two months. Today's kick-off can't come soon enough, though a 1.15pm start is undoubtedly a tad early. By comparison to the events in Croke Park, you wouldn't pull the curtains open if BBC's prime time evening slot - Barnsley v Chelsea - was in the back garden.
He who pays the piper and all that but, even at 1.15, this should be good. Wales come to Croke Park for the first time looking to secure the Triple Crown and take another significant step toward the greater prize of winning the Six Nations title, while also setting up a tilt at home to France a week hence. Ireland are not so encumbered, but today is win-or-bust time for their title aspirations.
Just as an aside, there's enough needle in this meeting to fill a haystack. No less than Eddie O'Sullivan and Warren Gatland, Ireland and Wales have "history", with personal enmities such as Brian O'Driscoll v Gavin Henson and other little verbal volleys from previous meetings.
The coaches have become increasingly weary of the repeated questioning about their own rivalry. Mischievously, though, Gatland has seemed to enjoy it more, perhaps because he is under less pressure to win.
In any event, he was at it again yesterday, questioning Ireland's ability to cope with the mantle of favouritism and using Rory Best's relatively innocuous assertion that Wales haven't been tested yet - a debatable point given they were 19-6 down in their opening match at a venue where they hadn't won in 20 years.
"We did put up his quotes in the team room. When you get a world-class player like Rory Best making those comments, it can be reasonably motivational for a team like us."
Clearly primed about this perceived slight, Eddie O'Sullivan responded: "He can do that, I suppose. That's what coaches do all the time. They use different angles to get guys thinking. In a professional game you have to remember that it might have been all great in the amateur days of ra-ra-ra, but I think we have moved beyond ra-ra-ra; a long way from it."
Gatland has also been quoted as saying the older Brian O'Driscoll had lost a yard or two of pace, although again yesterday this came with the rider that the Irish centre remained genuinely "world-class".
That part was conveniently overlooked when O'Driscoll was prompted to remark: "He is entitled to his opinion. With 24 hours to go to the game you won't find me getting involved in a tit for tat. Each to their own and hopefully I will be able to do a bit of talking tomorrow."
Water off a duck's back in any case.
Excellent impact though the Gatland regime has swiftly had, it will take a couple of years to complete the cultural and mental change required to make their pack the kind of hard-nosed, domineering unit required to complement a gifted array of backs. Rumours of a late doubt about hooker Huw Bennett, if true, wouldn't enhance Wales's prospects.
Were this in Cardiff, or were Paul O'Connell not playing, Ireland's chances wouldn't look so promising. But the return of O'Connell, along with Best's more accurate darts, ought to tighten up the hitherto porous Irish lineout.
With their much improved scrum this could give Ireland the kind of set-piece platform with which to impose themselves on the Welsh pack. Even if he only completes an hour or so, O'Connell is an iconic presence for team and crowd alike. Any carries or hits will have a seismic effect, and he will add to Ireland's physicality in the contact zone and in the mauls.
And the Munstermen look in prime nick.
The recall of Shane Horgan - three tries and three wins out of four against Wales - in direct opposition to Shane Williams will add an aerial weapon for Ronan O'Gara's crosskicks, and provide a target runner off inside passes to counter the Welsh blitz defence.
That said, Williams's threat could spring from anywhere, all the more so in broken play. If put through the phases Ireland's defence will need more line speed and bigger hits than heretofore.
Rob Kearney is sure to be tested by Stephen Jones early on but perhaps more relevantly, Wales will try to batter O'Gara.
Gatland, in his effusive identification of O'Gara as Ireland's main man, has virtually flagged as much, and there is the form guide of the 2004 Heineken Cup semi-final when Wasps' targeting of the 10 channel forced O'Gara's withdrawal before the half-hour mark.
O'Sullivan and Graham Steadman must be aware of this, and both David Wallace and Brian O'Driscoll will need to step up and offer protection. O'Gara needs to be hard to find. The best way for Ireland to protect O'Gara is, of course, for the pack to remain on the front foot for long stretches.
The forecast for showers and strong winds will add to the number of set-pieces, which should suit Ireland more, for ultimately, you feel whoever controls the tempo of this game will win it.
The faster and looser it is, the more it will suit Martyn Williams's poaching and play-making, and their quick-footed, quick-witted backs. Rewind to the 2005 grand finale in Cardiff, and that was abundantly apparent, while there were glimpses of this in the first 20 minutes in Lansdowne Road two years ago and for stretches in Ireland's distinctly uncomfortable win in Cardiff last season.
You also think of Gatland springing the gifted James Hook from the bench in the last quarter or so if it's close on the scoreboard and loosening up on the pitch.
As the surfeit of Magners League and Heineken Cup meetings also underline, against Welsh teams, field position is king.
O'Gara is playing the rugby of his life, as Shaun Edwards can readily testify but, and if he dominates, Ireland will win.
Even with a 1.15 kick-off, it won't be the Bolshoi Ballet. Croke Park ought to lively itself up for this one. A hunch says Ireland will too. It is, after all, win or bust time.
Overall head-top-head: Played 112, Ireland 45 wins, Wales 61 wins, 6 draws.
Last five meetings: (2007) Wales 9 Ireland 19 (Millennium Stadium); (2006) Ireland 31 Wales 5 (Lansdowne Road); (2005) Wales 32 Ireland 20 (Millennium Stadium); (2004) Ireland 36 Wales 15 (Lansdowne Road); (2003) Ireland 35 Wales 12 (Lansdowne Road).
Betting (Paddy Power): 8/15 Ireland, 20/1 Draw, 6/4 Wales. Handicap odds (= Wales + 4pts) 10/11 Ireland, 20/1 Draw, 10/11 Wales.
Forecast: Ireland to win.
