Sam Warburton says Wales can handle Ireland's kicking game

Sam Warburton believes Wales are capable of nullifying Ireland's aerial threat in Saturday’s potential Six Nations decider in Cardiff.

Ireland have developed an exceptional kicking game under head coach Joe Schmidt, with half-backs Jonny Sexton and Conor Murray firing up contestable kicks for the likes of Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney.

England were unable to deal with Ireland’s approach earlier this month as Schmidt’s side registered a record-equalling 10th successive victory, but Wales captain Warburton told Sky Sports they possess enough quality in their backline to stand up to Ireland’s ability in the air.

“It’s a massive focus for us here in Wales,” said Warburton, who will captain Wales for a record 34th time on Saturday. “After most sessions the back three boys stay back for around a quarter of an hour practicing dealing with high balls.

“It’s such an important part of the game now; Dan Biggar is also exceptionally good under the high ball, especially when chasing his own kicks.

“We’re very lucky that we’ve got four or five guys in our backline that are great under the high ball. It’s going to be massive duel between both sets of wingers and full-backs.”

Prepared

Warburton ranks Wales’ World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland in Wellington in 2011 as his greatest ever victory, but last year’s 26-3 reverse in Dublin was one of his darkest days as skipper. Ireland were “relentless at the breakdown”, recalls Warburton, but he says they are much better prepared for the 121st meeting between the countries.

Ireland have got great back rows in their squad. In my opinion, they’re probably the most difficult side to play against in the Six Nations.

“I watched Ireland play France and their forwards were extremely good at the choke tackle, while they committed two or three men into the breakdown” said Warburton.

“We’re a side that wants to go through phases, to keep the ball in play and try to wear teams down. Ireland have a slightly different gameplan. We have to make sure that if they do come with that gameplan, that we’re still able to play rugby and don’t get dragged into that kind of game. That’ll be a focus for us.

“Ireland have got great back rows in their squad. In my opinion, they’re probably the most difficult side to play against in the Six Nations. They are extremely good in that area. The breakdown and kicking game will be two massive areas in the match and if we can come out on top in those, it’ll go a long way to winning it.”

Wales’ Six Nations campaign has shades of their last success in 2013, where they lost their opening game at home but responded with victories in Edinburgh and Paris. Warburton says they drew on that experience following the loss to England in Cardiff, but there has been no talk of a third title in four years.

“After losing our first game, maybe a lot of sides thought we were dead and buried and it would be too difficult to come back,” said the 26-year-old. “But we still kept a lot of belief that we could come back and win the championship.

“Obviously the odds are still massively against us. Ireland have a large scoring difference in their favour so it’s going to be difficult, but it is nice knowing that there is still a mathematical chance. That motivation will be very important for us.”

Strength

Warburton missed the win over France in 2013 through injury but he played a key role in their most recent success. An area of particular strength for Wales was their set piece, with their lineout enjoying a 100 per cent success rate.

“I only played in Paris once before in 2011, when we lost quite badly (28-9),” he said. “Everyone was writing us off after losing the first game against England, but I think we showed a lot of mental strength to win the next two games against Scotland and France. Away fixtures are tough in the Six Nations.

“Credit has to go to Alun Wyn Jones for calling the lineouts. It’s an extremely tough job, especially when you’re a stadium of around 80,000 people and have a line of Frenchman pointing and screaming.

“You’ve got to make the right call under pressure so to have a 100 per cent lineout at that level is a credit to both Alun and Scott Baldwin, who did really well in his first Six Nations start. Samson Lee returned at tighthead and proved how important he’s going to be for Wales going forward. Those boys I mentioned were key in France and I’m sure they’ll have an important role in the games ahead.”

Warburton knows that if the Wales forwards can again produce front-foot ball on Saturday, their backs will ask questions of Ireland’s organised defence.

“That’s why there’s pressure on us forwards,” he said. “We didn’t deliver as a forward pack in the second half against England. If we fail at our job, it’s very difficult for the backs to get into the game.

“You don’t want to have Jamie (Roberts) or Jon (Davies) having to carry the ball after we’ve retreated for two or three phases; they’re not going to be that effective. The forwards have to work extremely hard to try and create mismatches for the backs to capitalise on.

“Going forward we have to make sure that we don’t get trapped into a certain gameplan or what certain teams are trying to play against us. We have to keep playing rugby and getting those strike runners into the game.”

Sam Warburton and Shane Williams are Ambassadors for GUINNESS, Official Partner of Welsh Rugby. To view GUINNESS' 'Made of More' rugby campaign, celebrating the Integrity and character of heroes from the game, visit www.youtube.com/GUINNESSEurope.