Ireland skipper Paul O’Connell has insisted his side will be looking to get one over on Wales in their opening Six Nations encounter following their World Cup heartbreak in New Zealand last year (Ireland 8/15, draw 20/1 Wales 3/2).

The Welsh make the tough trip to Dublin on February 5, in a massive game for both teams who will be desperate to make a strong start to their Six Nations campaigns.

It’s a repeat of the World Cup quarter-final encounter between these two sides, when Wales managed to come away with a 22-10 victory in Wellington to secure their place in the final four of the tournament.

For Munster lock O’Connell the pain of the defeat is still fresh in his mind and the British and Irish Lions forward is hoping he and his Ireland (5/1 Six Nations outright) team-mates can put things right next month.

He said: “I suppose it was a good thing a lot of us went away from the disappointment against Wales and managed to put some good performances together.

“That was certainly a big disappointment and hopefully we can put it right next weekend.

“There is going to be no warming into it, it will be a very tough game.”