TARGET Ronan O’Gara – that has got to be the Wales plan next week when the Celtic rivals aim to keep alive their faint chance of snatching the Six Nations title from under England’s noses.

O’Gara is back in the Ireland team at the expense of Johnny Sexton and played a leading role in Sunday’s victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

And, of course, two years ago in the corresponding fixture at the Millennium Stadium O’Gara was the player who put the boot into Wales with a late dropped goal in answer to one from Stephen Jones, who was then agonisingly short with a penalty shot from way out.

O’Gara’s effort had not just won the match, it gave Ireland the Grand Slam for the first time for 61 years and it was only the second time they had ever achieved it.

Not only that, but O’Gara has proved more feisty than most of the Irish team, and that’s saying something, when it comes to facing Wales.

There is little love lost between the rivals and both have now beaten the other in enemy country en-route to the Grand Slam, Wales, of course, managing it at Croke Park in the first season coach Warren Gatland was at the helm.

Now, with both teams having won two and lost one, with Wales edging ahead of Ireland on points difference, it promises to be another fiery encounter when the sides go head to head a week on Saturday.

They say momentum is all-important in the Six Nations and Wales have got it now with two victories on the trot after going eight games without a win.

And both of them have been on the road, albeit against the two weakest teams in the championship, Scotland and Italy, but Wales have still triumphed both times.

Now they are back at their base in front of their own fans and while it didn’t do them any good at the first time of asking against England, nor in the autumn, they ought to be more confident now after those two successes.

And they are still missing first choice props Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones, whose presence would surely have guaranteed success by bigger margins at Murrayfield and the Stadio Flaminio.

For there is little doubt the Welsh team have struggled a bit up front and have been unable to establish any real supremacy.

They did at least start well in both their recent away matches, going into a useful lead each time but frustratingly failed to build on that.

Instead of taking the bull by the horns and easing away comfortably they have been reined in and against Italy they even lost the second half in points by five to three and spent most of it in their own half.

They will need to be more dominant up front than they have been against the seasoned Irish pack if they are to make it three wins on the bounce.

And while the Welsh back row of Dan Lydiate, Ryan Jones and Sam Warburton have earned the plaudits they could meet their match this time in Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip and David Wallace, while injury has prevented the tearaway Stephen Ferris from playing.

Scrum half will be another major battleground whether it’s Tomas O’Leary or Peter Stringer at nine for Ireland up against Mike Phillips.

They all relish a battle royal, though Phillips has got a bit too involved in the strong arm stuff rather than concentrating on getting the ball away quickly, which is not his best attribute anyway.

The big argument raging now is whether Phillips will be partnered by Jones or James Hook against the Irish.

Hook was finally switched there against Scotland and immediately opened up the defence to manufacture the opening try.

Wales also appeared to have greater options than they did when Jones was brought back against Italy.

That was enforced when Jonathan Davies suffered a hamstring problem that ruled him out, but he is expected to be fit for selection against Ireland.

If so he will surely return to continue his centre partnership with Jamie Roberts and considering the way Hook performed at Murrayfield you would expect him to be restored there next week with Jones back on the bench.

Gatland is renowned for his conservative approach and with Hook possibly a bit more prone to error than the reliable Jones he may opt for the experience of the 98-times capped Scarlets man as his pivot.

Gamble and go for it and Hook is your man, but if you don’t wish to take risks and you want to play no frills rugby the dice will fall on Jones’ side. Interesting.

Wales look full of menace elsewhere in the backline now, with Roberts getting back to his thrustful best, which is encouraging after his long lay-off because of a damaged wrist.

And with George North joining Leigh Halfpenny in becoming available Wales are almost spoilt for choice on the wings. North straightaway looked the part on his return from a shoulder injury for the Scarlets against Edinburgh, taking two men with him over the line for the game’s only try.

Morgan Stoddart has done little wrong, on the other hand, after being brought in on the wing and selection on the right flank is going to be another tight call.

But though Lee Byrne is back to his best as a running 15 now that he has recovered from his hand injury, he does leave the defence exposed. Far too often against Italy there was no-one at home and Wales looked vulnerable.

Better teams than Italy will expose Wales there. Ireland could be just that team, so be warned!