IRELAND PROP MIKE Ross is hoping Ireland can end a run of three defeats against Wales on Saturday, but knows the defending Six Nations champions will be desperate for a win.
Ireland have not managed to beat our fellow celtic nation since March 2010 when Tomas O’Leary and Keith Earls shared three tries in a 27-12 win at Croke Park.
However, Wales arrive to defend their Grand Slam having not won a game since they claimed the prize, seven Test matches ago.
Just a few months on from Ireland arresting their own slump in form, Ross can empathise with the torture the Welsh players will be putting themselves through.
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“Speaking from experience, you start getting pretty annoyed with yourself.” Says the Corkman. “You don’t want desperation to creep in – you become desperate and make mistakes when you force things.
“There is that little thing in your mind that goes ‘ shit, we need to win this’.”
Unlike Wales, Ireland did manage to end the nightmare run of defeats in November. And that single ferocious display against Argentina seems to have awoken Irish hope – a glaring, bright light after experiencing the cruel darkness of a New Zealand winter.
Ross, however, takes a more pragmatic approach when assessing the difference in outcomes.
“Well, the Hamilton thing was at the end of the longest season we ever played – some of us were going for 54 weeks.
“Preparation for the Argentina game was a lot better. I think we’ve gradually got a lot better. We didn’t play particularly well again South Africa, then we improved against Fiji and we had a really good game against Argentina.”
The hope is that the improvement has continued to creep into 2013. And accepting the hostile (yet storied) venue, it would seem there could scarcely be a better time to meet Wales.
Their pack’s heartbeat of Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris is lost. Ireland, have a chance to stick the knife in, but Ross warns that anyone given the honour of wearing a Welsh jersey is capable of springing a surprise.
Strange
“For one thing, we’ve lost the last three games we’ve played against Wales. So, hopefully we can tip the scales back in our favour.” He says.
“It’s a big game. There’s no getting away from it. We need to win this to get off to a good start. Wales have had their injury problems, certainly, I think they’re down to fifth or sixth choice locks. But you never know who’s going to come out and play for them and suddenly become a legend.
“They’re strange like that, but certainly, we’re going to be working hard this week and working so we win that game.”
Mike Ross was speaking at the launch of Dead Space 3 – cut to the heart of deep space terror alone, or team up with a friend to experience the thrills and the chills together, as EA delivers an award winning action packed horror sequel that will send you and your friends on a hair-raising adventure.
Mike Ross: Wounded Wales are at their most dangerous
IRELAND PROP MIKE Ross is hoping Ireland can end a run of three defeats against Wales on Saturday, but knows the defending Six Nations champions will be desperate for a win.
Ireland have not managed to beat our fellow celtic nation since March 2010 when Tomas O’Leary and Keith Earls shared three tries in a 27-12 win at Croke Park.
However, Wales arrive to defend their Grand Slam having not won a game since they claimed the prize, seven Test matches ago.
Just a few months on from Ireland arresting their own slump in form, Ross can empathise with the torture the Welsh players will be putting themselves through.
“Speaking from experience, you start getting pretty annoyed with yourself.” Says the Corkman. “You don’t want desperation to creep in – you become desperate and make mistakes when you force things.
“There is that little thing in your mind that goes ‘ shit, we need to win this’.”
Unlike Wales, Ireland did manage to end the nightmare run of defeats in November. And that single ferocious display against Argentina seems to have awoken Irish hope – a glaring, bright light after experiencing the cruel darkness of a New Zealand winter.
Ross, however, takes a more pragmatic approach when assessing the difference in outcomes.
The hope is that the improvement has continued to creep into 2013. And accepting the hostile (yet storied) venue, it would seem there could scarcely be a better time to meet Wales.
Their pack’s heartbeat of Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris is lost. Ireland, have a chance to stick the knife in, but Ross warns that anyone given the honour of wearing a Welsh jersey is capable of springing a surprise.
Strange
“For one thing, we’ve lost the last three games we’ve played against Wales. So, hopefully we can tip the scales back in our favour.” He says.
“It’s a big game. There’s no getting away from it. We need to win this to get off to a good start. Wales have had their injury problems, certainly, I think they’re down to fifth or sixth choice locks. But you never know who’s going to come out and play for them and suddenly become a legend.
“They’re strange like that, but certainly, we’re going to be working hard this week and working so we win that game.”
Mike Ross was speaking at the launch of Dead Space 3 – cut to the heart of deep space terror alone, or team up with a friend to experience the thrills and the chills together, as EA delivers an award winning action packed horror sequel that will send you and your friends on a hair-raising adventure.
Dead Space 3 is available from Xtravision, Gamestop and Smyths stores nationwide from February 8th.
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