• Ireland v Wales, Six Nations, March 13

Wales expected to gamble big by Ireland

Defence coach Les Kiss is credited with masterminding the most recent Six Nations victory over England © Getty Images

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Ireland defence coach Les Kiss is braced for an all-out attacking approach from Wales when the two sides go head-to-head at Croke Park on Saturday.

Wales head into their latest Six Nations clash as joint leading tryscorers in this season's championship alongside title favourites France, with seven touchdowns due reward for their endeavours with ball in hand. But seven tries conceded - including three interceptions - represents the tournament's worst defensive record this term. However, Kiss is not expecting Wales to opt for a more conservative game plan this weekend.

"I would be extremely surprised if Wales change their approach," he said. "I think they will go for it. The type of players who are throwing those (interception) passes are guys who base their games on instinct and try to find an edge to take the opposition apart.

"I can't see them holding back. Yes, there is some risk in the style they play, but I think they are committed to that style. From their perspective, they probably don't want to go to lineouts. It is something I think they will be very wary of - it is a strength of ours."

Victory for Wales in their final two games against Ireland and Italy could see them challenge for second spot. The Irish though, still have Triple Crown and title aspirations. Successive home wins at the expense of Wales and Scotland would secure another Triple Crown triumph, although top prize is more of a remote possibility and depends on results elsewhere.

"We are happy with a lot of the things we've done," added Kiss. "We have got some good strengths in a lot of parts of our game. We would like to get a little bit more out of things, and that is probably one of the driving forces. Full credit to the guys with the way they want to try and find another edge.

"We wouldn't dare pre-empt that this is a game (on Saturday) where we will find the magic and everything works totally, but it's there. If it comes out for five minutes a game, or 40, those things will come. I absolutely love the Six Nations. Each week is a unique challenge, but it's an unbelievable challenge - country against country. It is the biggest thing I have been involved in."

Not for the first time in his glittering career, Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll will take centre-stage this weekend. O'Driscoll becomes the second player to reach a century of caps for Ireland, following prop John Hayes two weeks ago, and Kiss has added his tribute.

"There are things you know about him as a player, but once you know him intimately, then there is a more complete package right across the park," he said. "I knew his defensive prowess before I came here, but it extends beyond the obvious, it goes into other areas in terms of what he does for the players around him. His ability to influence a game on and off the ball in defence is unbelievable."

Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal, meanwhile, today talked up an infinitely less-celebrated player than O'Driscoll - Munster prop Tony Buckley. Buckley's contribution off the bench during a 20-16 victory over England at Twickenham two weeks ago proved pivotal towards Ireland closing out the win.

Buckley is again among the replacements this weekend, but Smal believes an eventual successor to Hayes - at 29, Buckley is seven years younger - might have been discovered.

"If you look at the England game and the things Tony Buckley did when he came on, he had a huge impact," said South African Smal. "In terms of him as a player, I have a lot of confidence. I think he could become one of the best tightheads in the world. I like his size. He gives you a lot of height in the lineouts and weight in the scrums.

"He looks very calm off the field, and sometimes calm when he plays, but he has that trip-switch where he can climb into the opposition and counter-ruck three or four guys off the ball. That's what you need. He can take over from John, and he is at the stage now where he can start kicking on."

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