IF history is anything to go by, Wales have a good chance of beating Ireland and claiming their 19th Triple Crown when they travel to Dublin.

Many rugby fans see the city as a graveyard of Welsh hopes but that is something of a myth.

Ryan Jones' men can take heart that Dublin has, for the most part, been a happy hunting ground over the years for Wales.

Wales have beaten Ireland more times in the city in the championship than their hosts have turned them over - the record reads Wales 17 wins, Ireland 16 wins, with three draws.

Compare that with Wales' record at Twickenham, Murrayfield and Paris where they are all behind to their opponents in victories.

Wales have won 12 games at Twickenham against England's 25 victories with seven draws.

In Murrayfield Wales trail the Scots by 15 wins to 22 successes with one draw.

And the French lead in Paris by 22 victories to Wales' 17 wins with one draw.

It is true they have had their fair share of disasters against Ireland in Dublin and Wales' last three visits have ended up with them being hammered.

The 54-10 slaughter in 2002 ended the reign of the once Great Redeemer Graham Henry.

And seasoned Welsh fans often point to the 1970 debacle at Lansdowne Road as a particularly painful memory.

Wales travelled there with high hopes of a successive Triple Crown after beating Scotland 18-9 and England 17-13 in Twickenham thanks to Ray Chico' Hopkins' famous cameo.

But Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams et al had a nightmare afternoon with the late great Irish number eight Ken Goodall having the game of his life as their delirious fans celebrated a shock 14-0 win.

So profound was the manner of the defeat, Edwards even feared for his rugby future as he once wrote: "For the first time in my international career I seriously feared that I was in danger of being dropped.

"One of the most vociferous and outspoken selectors Jack Young didn't help matters. Make the most of this evening Gareth', he said at the post-match banquet. You may not have another like it'.

"If I'm out of the team, tell me straight away Jack," I retorted, "Then I can get my fishing licence immediately!"

But there have been some very good days as well as bad in Dublin.

In just over 30 years they have gone there to win the Triple Crown in 1976, 1978 and 1988 and their 17-15 victory in 1994 helped them win the championship.

But in more recent times, Wales haven't won in Ireland since their 23-19 victory in 2000.

Four men who savoured success that day are in the current Welsh squad and all played in the victory over Italy at the Millennium Stadium on the weekend.

Shane Williams, Stephen Jones and Ian Gough all played in that game at Lansdowne Road and Martyn Williams was picked on the bench but never made it onto the field.

The game a week on Saturday is Wales' first visit to Croke Park, with Lansdowne Road being redeveloped, and the Irish failed to turn the ground into a fortress from the off.

They lost their first ever rugby match at the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association last year, going down to France by 20-17 in a thrilling game but bounced back to put England to the sword 43-13 in their next match there.