THE MATCHES between Ireland and Wales in recent years have been extraordinary insofar as the visiting team in the fixture has tended to enjoy Success. Wales come to Dublin this year in a very positive mood despite their two defeats to date.

They appear to have great confidence in their new coach, Kevin Bowring, and in particular in the style of play which he advocates. Although they are still a long way from reproducing the style and flair of some of their more illustrious predecessors they certainly look more like Welsh teams that we all admired and envied so much in the 1970s.

They also field an unchanged side for the third successive match which is an advantage at any level but particularly in the international arena.

Ireland, on the other hand, have made a considerable number of changes some forced, some deliberate. The most worrying thing about the two losses to date has not been the defeats but, rather, the manner in which we have failed to perform.

The level of optimism that obtained prior to the Scottish match is in direct contrast to the current mood. However, the Irish players must realise that the Irish rugby public is solidly behind the side and just waiting for something to cheer and get excited about.

The Irish players should bear this in mind, particularly during the opening exchanges today. From the kick off they should remind the Welsh that they are the guests at Lansdowne Road and give them the kind of warm reception which visiting teams expected and were given in the past.

We have not, on any occasion this year, put the opposing fullback or wingers under pressure with high kicks. This afternoon might be a good time. While the Welsh fullback Justin Thomas, appears to be a useful runner his lack of physical presence has to be a disadvantage under the high ball.

About kicking in general I presume that the Irish management will instruct the side to keep the ball in play as much as possible because of the likely strength of the Welsh line out, particularly with Derwyn Jones at number four. In saying this, I am not suggesting for one minute that we should throw the ball around foolishly but a well prepared side can play the game in a manner that would force the opposition to put it into touch thereby ensuring that we get the throw in. If Allen Clarke's throwing is as good as it is reported to be we should be able to win our own line out ball with good organisation and well chosen options.

Our pack as a whole need to be a lot more co ordinated than they have been to date. We have seen, in both matches, some good individual charges but, as a unit, the pack has not been tight enough, particularly in arriving at break downs and in supporting each other. With the exception of Nick Popplewell, whose lack of match practice has come against him in the two games to date, this looks to be an extremely mobile pack.

The return of Denis McBride to the open side should greatly enhance our presence at the break down and his two back row colleagues must ensure that he is not tied in by the Welsh runners to allow him to concentrate on Arwel Thomas.

The latter's star has not been shining quite so brightly of late. I believe that there may be an element of doubt creeping into his game because of all the pressure that is involved in wearing the Welsh number 10 shirt. Although I have some doubts about Poppelwell's match fitness a huge responsibility rests on his shoulders, and to a lesser degree on those of McBride.

There has been a distinct lack of leadership and presence in the forwards in the two games to date and these two players must realise that with their experience and age comes the responsibility of helping and encouraging their less experienced colleagues.

In every game there are moments of crisis and it is then that the individuals with character and strength of personality come to the fore.

If our back line is to be effective as an attacking force, Neil Hogan's passing will have to be more accurate than it was in Paris. I'm sure he will have worked hard on that aspect of his game in the meantime. His enthusiasm will, hopefully, act as a catalyst for those around him. He must also be able to detach himself at times to assess the direction in which the game is going.

His partner, David Humphreys, displayed encouraging signs in Paris. Given a good service he has the potential not only to play well himself but to bring the best out of the players around him. I would like to see our midfield players tie up the Welsh back row with switches, crash balls etc.

The presence of Simon Geoghegan and Niall Woods on, any team demands that they be given the ball because both are at their best as attacking forces. Simon Mason comes with a good reputation and, hopefully, he will have a memorable debut.

It will be interesting to see how the two number eights compare as both are primarily runners rather than line out jumpers. Victor Costello did well in Paris and the Welsh will remember his strong running against Cardiff in the early stages of the match against Leinster.

I have a feeling that it will be an exciting and enjoyable game because the teams are evenly balanced. The Irish players have absolutely nothing to lose at this stage. They have not done themselves or the management justice in either of the two performances to date.

Each player, simply, has to decide that he, individually, is going to get the better of his opposite number. Performance does not happen simply by going on the pitch, somebody has to make it happen. It is therefore the perfect occasion for several Irish players to leave a memorable mark.