Andy Farrell jokes that the only 'free shot' Wales boss Warren Gatland will get on Saturday is one from the Ireland supremo after the Six Nations opener.
Gatland started the mind games on Tuesday at his team announcement, when he claimed the championship clash was a 'free hit' for Wales because of Ireland's status as the world's top-ranked team.
"I know that's exactly what they're thinking," said Farrell sarcastically. "I don't know about a 'free shot'.
"A free shot in Test match rugby? Where do you get them from? We'd love to be able to buy one of those - maybe I'll buy him a free shot after the game!
"But there's absolutely no doubt that Warren will expect his side to win, and so do I, I expect our side to win.
"His past record shows what he's about in this competition. Finding a way to win has always been key to those teams, and we're very aware of that."
Farrell was speaking at his own team announcement in Quinta do Lago this afternoon before the Ireland players left their warm weather camp to fly from Faro to Cardiff ahead of the eagerly-awaited encounter.
As expected, Johnny Sexton has returned from injury and will skipper the side and his Leinster colleague Ross Byrne has been named as out-half cover in reserve.
There was an element of surprise to the announcement as Tadhg Furlong, who was expected to play for the first time since suffering a calf injury while playing for Leinster against Ulster on December 3, failed to make the matchday squad.
Instead, Connacht's Finlay Bealham will play at tighthead - making his first Six Nations start - and Tom O'Toole of Ulster will provide bench back-up.
Farrell said that at this stage, Furlong looks set to return in next week's collision with France at the Aviva Stadium.
"He's not quite ready," said Farrell of Furlong. "In fact, he's progressing pretty well but he's not quite there yet.
"He could possibly be there in the next few days or week or whatever, but we just think that Finlay deserves it as well.
"He's playing some outstanding rugby at this moment in time. The last game he played, he scored a hat-trick - he's scrummaging very well, so he deserves a start.
"Tadhg will keep working away to hopefully be fit for the French game."
Explaining his decision to go with Byrne ahead of Munster's Jack Crowley on the bench, Farrell said: "It was just from training really, just how he's gone about his business, and he's continued like we knew he would do, regarding how he's played for Leinster.
"It's the authority that he's got within his game, and the ownership of the plan going forward.
"When you have authority like that, there tends to be a lot of trust around you. He's had a good 12 days with us."
Wales have confirmed that the Principality Stadium roof will be closed for Saturday's fixture and Farrell is enthused about the prospect.
"It's great," he said. "It's a fantastic stadium. We've been there before when it's closed and there's no atmosphere like it. It's fantastic.
"It can only be good for us. We have to agree with the roof being closed. We wanted it closed as well to sample the atmosphere and keep progressing on our journey."
Farrell added: "It doesn't really get any tougher than Wales first up. Everyone has spoken over the last two weeks about the record. My record's not great there either.
"Thinking back, I lost there for Saracens and I actually played a rugby league game there and lost there as well.
"So we know that it's a really tough place to go, but that's where we want to be.
"We want to challenge ourselves. What I would say is that we judge ourselves on our preparation and our preparation has been top-drawer.
"It's as good as I've seen it in regards to getting ready for any type of competition. Hopefully, that can continue over the next couple of days preparation-wise and can translate into a performance."
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