Developing rivalry awaits as champions stutter to victory

Wales will head to Dublin after winning three of the last four meetings, including a 2011 World Cup quarter-final triumph in New Zealand. It launches the pivotal phase of Wales’ Six Nations campaign, with the match against Ireland followed by France in Cardiff and England at Twickenham.

“The last few games against Ireland have been real battles, and I expect it to be the same this time,” said Wales flanker Lydiate.

“The match will probably hinge on a couple of incidents that could swing either way, and it could be a good spectacle.

“After the Lions tour there are a lot of Irish boys you are friendly with. I am playing at Racing Metro now with (Ireland fly-half) Johnny Sexton, so I am really looking forward to coming up against him.

“I am sure there will be a few texts in the week and some banter.”

With Wales captain Sam Warburton successfully beginning his comeback from injury through a second-half appearance off the bench during a 23-15 victory against Italy on Saturday, head coach Warren Gatland looks set to recall him for the Ireland mission.

Given Warburton’s effectiveness at openside and blindside flanker, it would mean either Lydiate or Justin Tipuric dropping out if Gatland fields his skipper in the starting XV.

Gatland declared himself “pretty satisfied” after Wales launched their bid for an unprecedented title hat-trick by beating Italy.

Wales huffed and puffed for parts of a 23-15 success, and they could not build on a 14-point lead interval lead secured by first-half tries from wing Alex Cuthbert and centre Scott Williams.

Italy fought back through a second-half try double by their impressive centre Michele Campagnaro, but Wales still made it 10 wins from their last 11 Six Nations starts.

“It was tough,” said Gatland. “We’ve got to give Italy a lot of credit. We are pretty satisfied. There were some real positives, and there were some things to work on.

“We definitely kept them in the game in terms of a couple of crucial turnovers and an intercept, but we are off to a reasonable start and I wouldn’t be surprised if Italy win a few games in this competition. It will focus the minds for next week (when Wales tackle Ireland in Dublin). It wasn’t an easy run-out and it was tough, which was the way we wanted it.

“There are just a few things for us to fix in terms of making sure we are more accurate and clinical. We know we get stronger as a tournament goes on.”

Wales: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, S. Williams, Roberts, North, Priestland, M Phillips (Webb 68); James, Hibbard (Owens 68), A Jones (R Jones 65), Charteris, A Jones, Lydiate (Warburton 65), Tipuric, Faletau. Unused replacements: Bevington, Hook, L. Williams.

Italy: McLean, Esposito, Campagnaro, Sgarbi, Sarto (Iannone 74), Allan, Gori (Botes 66); Rizzo (De Marchi 56), Ghiraldini (Giazzon 58), Castrogiovanni (Cittadini 69), Geldenhuys, Bortolami (Furno 69), Zanni, M Bergamasco (Minto 58), Parisse. Unused replacement: Orquera.

Referee: J Lacey (Ireland).