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Wales admit they plan to target the Irish set-piece after the world’s No 1 side lost key figure Tadhg Furlong to injury for Saturday’s crunch Six Nations opener.
Both teams have suffered last-minute fitness problems. The absence of Ireland prop Furlong, who has been suffering with calf and ankle issues, is a big blow to Ireland.
Meanwhile, Wales on Thursday saw Leigh Halfpenny pull out of the team their head coach Warren Gatland had named on Tuesday after he suffered a back spasm.
Halfpenny will be replaced at full-back by Liam Williams who comes straight into the starting XV despite playing just four games for Cardiff this season.
Finlay Bealham steps in for Furlong – who is one of the world’s best props – at Principality Stadium, whose roof will be closed for Saturday's game.
Adam Beard admitted Wales will look to target Ireland's set piece in their Six Nations opener
Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been forced to withdraw from Ireland's team for the match
‘We know as a pack that is a point of difference for us,’ said Wales lock Adam Beard.
‘Make no bones about it, we are going to push them and we are going to go for them at the set-piece. We are looking forward to the confrontational battle.
‘Tadhg is a quality player and renowned as one of the best tightheads in the world, if not the best. I should imagine he's a huge blow for them, but they have quality players to step in.’
Gatland has named eight Ospreys in his starting XV for the first game of his second spell in charge of Wales and Beard is one of six in the forwards.
The Ospreys have beaten both English and French champions Leicester and Montpellier this season and their pack has been going well. It also dominated the scrum battle in their United Rugby Championship tie with Irish giants Leinster. That should give Wales plenty of confidence.
Furlong’s strong set-piece ability and impressive handling and running game around the park make him a huge loss for Ireland. That is not to diminish Bealham’s ability but he is not in Furlong’s league.
‘He (Furlong) is not quite ready, but we think Finlay deserves it as
