Peter Bills: Red Dragons must breathe their fire against Ireland

Southern Hemisphere rugby men sometimes underestimate the ferocity of passion for rugby in Wales.

One former Australian coach arrived in London with the Wallabies and was asked at the media conference whether he was concerned about going to Wales. After all, someone pointed out, the last time the two sides met the action was more reminiscent of a Punch and Judy show than a rugby match.

Worried? "No, of course not," the coach said. "People have forgotten about all that long ago."

To which a little Welshman clutching his notebook at the back of the room replied, "Forgotten? Were still arguing about a try we had disallowed in 1905 against the All Blacks."

Which encapsulates neatly Wales' enduring love affair with this game. Thus, come tomorrow in Cardiff, a nation will either be going into collective mourning or starting the party of the 21st century.

Nothing, you see, really comes between utter despair and delirious celebration in the land of the three feathers on a red jersey.

Wales meet Ireland at the Millennium Stadium probably still pinching themselves at the scenario. They have one game remaining in the Six Nations championship, at home, and if they win, they will land their first Grand Slam since 1978.

Nothing involving Ireland is ever certain in life, but if Wales fail to complete the task it will be a considerable surprise.

Wales have played by far the best rugby in the championship, a deliciously bright, inventive type of game based on the principles of pace and making the ball do the work.

Space and opportunity has been sought, opponents avoided. This is in stark contrast to the confrontational type of game embraced by the rest of the home unions in this era.

Within the course of a couple of years, Welsh rugby has been transformed. Talk about ugly little ducklings turning into beautiful swans.

In the 2003 Six Nations championship, Wales were whitewashed: five defeats in five games.

But last season, things began to change. They won two matches and went close against England at Twickenham, losing 31-21 in a game they could have snatched.

England, it is true, have averaged more than 40 points against them in their last nine games, eight of which they have won.

But it was Wales' victory over the Auld Enemy in Cardiff at the start of this season which fuelled their self-belief.

Since then, they have won in Italy, Scotland and France, the latter after being overwhelmed for most of the first half.

Much has changed in Welsh rugby. The near 70 million debt hanging, sword-like, over the heads of the Welsh Rugby Union has been reduced, near halved it is said, by some shrewd business work led by chief executive David Moffett.

Not the least of Moffett's achievements was selecting as national coach Mike Ruddock, when the popular vote demanded Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins.

Ruddock has brought wise counsel to his task, returning to Wales' traditional strengths of fast, attacking back play and mobile forwards.

The backs have woven patterns to delight this winter, but perhaps the most significant improvement has been up front, where Wales have shown themselves able to compete in most phases.

Their tackling, too, has been greatly improved from recent years.

But Ireland will not lie down and die. They have the incentive of the Triple Crown (for victories over the other home unions) for a second year in succession, and in addition, Lions tour places remain up for grabs.

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London

SIX NATIONS

* Wales v Ireland Cardiff, tomorrow

* Italy v France Rome, tomorrow

* England v Scotland Twickenham, tomorrow