Shane Williams has admitted he is worried Ireland will send Wales tumbling down the world rankings.
The former Wales wing is concerned that Ireland’s style is ready-made to cause Wales further problems when they meet in Cardiff next week, where Rob Howley’s team will be trying to avoid a third straight defeat.
Back-to-back losses to England and Scotland have seen Wales fall from fifth to seventh in the world rankings in World Cup seeding year. Further defeats to the Irish and then France in Paris in their final Six Nations game would see Wales drop to ninth and put them in a World Cup pool in Japan with two seeds – a repeat of the 2015 tournament.
Williams said: “After the England game, I had a smile on my face. I was quite optimistic, and happy with the way Wales were going.
“Okay, the score didn’t help, but they seemed to have turned the corner in the second half against Italy, and brought that momentum into the England game. They could easily have won that game. Physically, it was the best defensive performance in two years.
“Ball in hand, they were playing with width and depth and intent, getting the likes of Liam Williams involved in the game. And I was still optimistic after the first half at the weekend against Scotland.
“But I have no idea what happened in the second half. Scotland frustrated Wales. They attacked them at the breakdown, Wales sent in one-in runners, looked quite lethargic at times, and had no direction with ball in hand.
“When they did break the gain line, they lost the ball in contact, and got very frustrated. So my worry is that is how Ireland play, they will frustrate Wales. They keep the ball very well.
“If it’s the likes of CJ Stander, Seán O’Brien, Devin Toner, whoever, will be a real pain in the backside, and make it difficult for Wales in the breakdown.
“So it’s a massive game for Wales. They could lose two games in a row at home, three in the championship, and go from fifth to ninth in the world rankings. Which doesn’t say a lot for the team.
“There is a lot at stake, it is a huge game for them. And they are under a lot of pressure.”
In an interview with the Irish Times, Williams says the back row battle will be crucial against Ireland for whom CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip have been in rich form.
The double Grand Slam winner believes Wales may need to re-think their strategy of pairing regular opensides Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric together in the same back row.
“It’s a difficult one. It works sometimes, but then there are times when they are trying to do the same job. Look at Ireland, and they also have two number sixes, rather than an out-and-out seven, and it is effective at the moment. Because it is all about the breakdown and ball-carrying, getting over that gain-line.
“CJ Stander’s stats are through the roof and he and Seán O’Brien are taking the benefit of that. Jamie Heaslip is more like a Tipuric. He has great feet, great ball-handler and more of a footballing backrower.
“Wales have two great players there. Ross Moriarty was great against England, so maybe play him six, and drop Toby Faletau in but, do you drop Sam Warburton? Or Tipuric, who is the form player for three seasons? It’s a conundrum.”