Wales boss Warren Gatland will have a few tricks up his sleeve that could catch Ireland’s crop of Lions unawares on Saturday, Jamie Heaslip warns.
Lions coach Gatland led the likes of Heaslip and Ireland captain Paul O’Connell to Test series victory over Australia in the summer.
The fallout from omitting Brian O’Driscoll for the decisive final Test still overshadows Saturday’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and Wales.
Vice-captain Heaslip believes Ireland carry “absolutely” no hang-ups from the summer into this weekend.
Ireland’s Lions contingent worked closely and at length with Gatland, unearthing his most trusted coaching methods and styles of play.
But the Leinster loose forward is adamant Gatland has kept some secrets close to his chest, to be unleashed for his Wales side in this year’s Six Nations, as they chase a record third straight championship titles.
“I’m sure Gats hasn’t shown his full hand, across the summer and even into the tournament now,” said Heaslip.
“Their lads have played enough against (Ireland coach) Joe (Schmidt) through club rugby when he was Leinster boss I suppose, to get a taste of what he could be like.
“But they are not playing against Joe as such, they are playing against our lads.
“You’ve got to take it with a pinch of salt I suppose.”
Assistant coach Les Kiss said Ireland will not hold anything back in chasing turnovers at the tackle area.
But the defensive specialist said Schmidt’s outfit will be at pains to show referee Wayne Barnes they are staying the right side of the laws when contesting the breakdown.