O'Sullivan highlights home advantage

Eddie O'Sullivan expects Croke Park to have a telling influence on this weekend's RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales.

The Welsh are the last remaining team in the championship to visit the home of Gaelic sport, and Ireland coach O'Sullivan believes that could be key to halting their Grand Slam march.

"We're comfortable at Croke after four games there. We're starting to settle and getting a good feel for the place," he said.

"Wales haven't been there before, and it's a very impressive stadium.

"They're very aware of that and know it will give us a lift, like the Millennium Stadium raises their game.

"Overcoming that will be quite a challenge for them. It's a stepping stone because they haven't been there before.

"If we can create an atmosphere it will count in our favour."

Ireland will need every possible advantage to prevail against unbeaten Wales, who will remain in the Six Nations title shake-up regardless of Saturday's outcome.

Warren Gatland and his assistant Shaun Edwards have transformed the Welsh fortunes in remarkably short time - and O'Sullivan believes there are comparisons to be made with the class of 2005.

"This is probably our biggest challenge in the Six Nations so far," he said.

"They have three wins, have built some momentum and are playing the kind of style they like.

"The last time we saw Wales playing with this buzz and confidence was in 2005 when they won the Grand Slam.

"It's a pivotal game for both teams that could have a bearing on the Six Nations title. This Welsh are where they want to be.

"The challenge for us is to not let them get into that mode on Saturday. If your defence lapses at all then they can skin you.

"We must manage the pace of the game and enforce our gameplan.

"They'll feel that if they can impose their game on us they'll get a victory. We feel the same about our game."

Ireland have been busy restoring their own self-belief, which took a fearful battering during the World Cup, and O'Sullivan insists they have improved throughout the Six Nations.

"We're getting to where we want to be. We've built steadily through the Six Nations," he said.

"You want to hit the ground running and play well in all five games. But we all know it's about building momentum.

"In terms of results, we haven't built momentum - but we have in terms of performance we have.

"It was not a vintage display against Italy; Paris was a step forward, as was Scotland.

"Saturday has to be another step forward, and we're aware of that. We'll need to improve. Our set-piece needs to be solid.

"Against Scotland we had problems with our line-out, and that put us under pressure. It's energy sapping, having to defend like we did in the opening quarter."