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The 'jealousy' factor driving Wales in Grand Slam decider

George North celebrates a try in Paris

Warren Gatland readily accepts there is “added spice” when Wales play Ireland as he looks to sign off in the Six Nations with a title and Grand Slam.

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Both teams, who meet in Cardiff on Saturday, are chasing silverware – along with England – as this season’s tournament builds towards a thrilling conclusion.

But Wales have control, knowing that victory over Ireland would secure a third Grand Slam of Gatland’s reign and see them crowned champions for the first time since 2013.

It will be former Ireland boss Gatland’s final Six Nations Test as Wales head coach, and he is relishing the high-octane occasion that will inevitably unfold.

“I think the added spice is that with the PRO14, the players know each other,” Gatland said.

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“We respect them hugely for what they have achieved. They are number two in the world, and their provinces have had a lot of success in the PRO14 and in Europe, and sometimes it can breed a jealousy.

“You respect them, but you are desperate to want to beat them. That sometimes creates the edge. A lot of it stems from that.

“They have been incredibly successful. I take my hat off to their provincial rugby and what they have achieved in Europe, the PRO14 and what the national team has done. We have got to strive to do that.

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 Jacob Stockdale of Ireland and Leigh Halfpenny of Wales  (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“For our group of players I know they get incredibly motivated to play against Ireland, as they want to beat them because a lot of them have been on the losing end on a number of occasions, particularly to their provincial teams.”

Wales’ tense 18-11 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield has set up their latest Grand Slam tilt, and Gatland will become the first coach in Five or Six Nations history to mastermind a clean sweep three times if his players pull it off.

“If we do that it would be unbelievable,” Gatland added.

“I have had ten Six Nations, and when I look back I am proud of what we have achieved in terms of consistency in the Six Nations.

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“We have had a few seconds, a couple of Grand Slams, a Championship as well, but our win record has been excellent – particularly against those big teams.

“We want to finish it off. When someone presents you with an opportunity to win a Grand Slam, you want to take it with both hands.”

North rises high in what was a vintage performance

Wing George North is set to be among three survivors from Wales’ starting XV that clinched the 2012 Grand Slam by beating France, joining captain Alun Wyn Jones and centre Jonathan Davies.

“Sometimes, winning is winning, regardless of how it looks,” said North, reflecting on the Scotland success.

“There is a good belief in the squad, a good vibe. We can go toe-to-toe and we can go through the ugly parts and dog games out when we need to.

“There is plenty to work on from our point of view – too many handling errors, too many turnovers. We’ve got a big week of preparation to put it right.

“Obviously, it (title and Grand Slam) would be a wicked way to finish this tournament, but I am sure the boss man ‘Gats’ will have a few things to sort out this week with us and make sure we are flying on Saturday.”

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NH 24 minutes ago
All eyes on the Brumbies' power as Racing-bound Taniela Tupou's Lion dream fades

Agreed. I remember talking to you last year about not being convinced on noah. And I’m fully aware he isn’t the finished article, but to my mind he has been the obvious best option when quade/JOC are out of the picture. This has always been my argument, you only have to be the best bloke available for the jersey and noah has clearly been that imo. Donaldson in my eyes is of the Beale mould and still looks more like a ballplaying 15 then an out and out 10. Lynagh and HMP have all the talent in the world, but not the experience or game management yet to kick a team to win a 12-8 type RWC semi final win. At the moment they are super rugby players, not international players. It won’t happen but I’d probably start JOC and finish with Lynagh on the bench and ideally would have lynagh on the bench for the next 2-3 years until he is fully developed. Playing 10 at the moment is more of an old mans game where brains and problem solving are more important than linebreaks and flick passes. Its the renaissance of the russells, quades, sextons, pollards and maybe even farrells of the world. And the shame of it all is that aus rugby have now mishandled noah so badly after investing so much in him, that he is leaving aus shores just as the investment might pay off and so now we have to go through all the pain again. I’d almost put money on donno or lynagh leaving aus shores in the next 2-3 years after being chewed up and spat out from the same machine.

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LONG READ All eyes on the Brumbies' power as Racing-bound Taniela Tupou's Lion dream fades All eyes on the Brumbies' power as Racing-bound Taniela Tupou's Lion dream fades
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