IT is set be another fantastic crunch game at the Millennium Stadium this year, the latest in a long line of intense games between Wales and Ireland.

As ever, there will be some great one-to-one personal battles and I'll be looking forward to seeing how each team will try to break the gain line.

You always know that you are in for a real test at the contact area when you play an Irish province so it promises to be fierce in Cardiff tomorrow.

One thing that the Irish have to their advantage is that their provinces are run by the IRFU and certain policies and directives come from above.

Whether it’s Leinster, Ulster, Munster or Connacht there are certain traits to their game like, for example, how they will all look to hold you up in the choke tackle.

When they meet up for Ireland duty there isn’t a big clash of styles, they all know what to do and go along with it. They know their roles and buy into an Irish way of rugby.

Ireland will have strong players at the breakdown with jacklers like Rory Best and Sean O’Brien while others will just look to demolish the ruck and kick the ball through.

But Wales like to pride themselves on their work at the contact area and team spirits will be high after their performance against France. That confidence is vital as the quality of player is certainly there, having played alongside or against most them over the years.

The set piece will be huge and – cliché alert – it will be won up front. I just hope that it’s not a slow, grinding game because they are two very exciting back lines and even though kicking is massively important, it would be a shame if it’s just a battle of the boot.

Ireland are the form team in Europe at the moment (and my pre-tournament tip) but Wales have home advantage and if they play like they did in Paris rather than as they did against England then I back Wales to edge a tough, tight game.

Wales have many 'big game' players with Grand Slams, titles and Lions caps under their belts, and I'm sure they will come to the fore and it will be a home win.

I was planning on going along to the Dragons’ pre-match hospitality in Cardiff at Ten Mill Lane after the last one was a good event but instead I will be celebrating the loss of... I mean stag night for Newport lock Adam Brown in Bristol.

It should be a good atmosphere watching it on ‘neutral territory’ and last time we were in the city to watch an international it was the England game in 2013, which proved a very enjoyable experience in the old enemy’s backyard!