Both sides claimed opening RBS 6 Nations wins over Italy and Scotland respectively with Wales now facing a trip across the Irish Sea this weekend. Under new head coach Joe Schmidt, Ireland have produced some top class rugby at home, running the All Blacks close in a thrilling encounter late last year and dispatching Scotland 28-6 on Sunday.
Wales though have fond recent memories of playing in Dublin. The Grand Slam year of 2012 saw Warren Gatland’s side claim a last-gasp victory at the Aviva thanks to a Leigh Halfpenny penalty while Phillips himself has had success against the men in green. He scored one of Wales’ three tries as Wales knocked Ireland out in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter finals and was also on the score sheet when the two sides met at the Millennium Stadium earlier that year.
“The Aviva is a great place to play, two years ago we did well there and it was a great game of rugby for the neutral,” said the 31-year-old Phillips.
“It was close that day and it’s going to be a massive game again. Ireland are going to come at us, be tough at the breakdown and they’ve got a good set piece.
“It’s a big game of course, being away from home is going to be tough. Ireland had a good win against Scotland, they beat us last year and had a good autumn so they’ll be full of confidence at the moment.
“We’ve had some big matches with Ireland over the years but that’s what it’s all about – big games and big rivalries. It’s good for the game and hopefully we can come out on top. It’s going to be a very difficult game as we all know but hopefully we can put some things right in training this week and go out there full of confidence.”
Following last summer’s British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, this weekend’s game takes on an extra edge with players from both sides having been part of the same team which triumphed over the Wallabies. Phillips himself is likely to go head-to-head with Conor Murray, a man who rivalled him for the number nine shirt throughout last summer.
One the challenge of facing Munster man Murray, Phillips added: “He’s a top player and a top guy off the field as well. I got to know him on the Lions tour and he’s one of the best out there. We’ll have to watch him at the weekend.
“Ireland have threats throughout the park, they’re a great side and our defence is going to have to be at its best to get a result.
“Paul O’Connell is another great guy, I’ve been on two tours with him and you couldn’t get a better gentleman of the game. On the pitch he’s going to play hard but afterwards, you shake hands and it’s all gone.
“It’s all about winning. Emotions will be high at the weekend and it’s all about coming out on top.”
