WALES have had something of a hoodoo on Ireland in their last two encounters — and the tormentor in chief on both occasions has been Mike Phillips.

The former Ospreys scrum-half scored a controversial winning try in last year's Six Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium, then repeated the trick during Wales's World Cup quarter-final victory.

Both were spectacular scores, though the former rankled with the Irish more than the latter, coming as it did after a debatable quickly-taken line-out.

As a player who has spent much of his career under the spotlight, Phillips took the fall-out from the Millennium Stadium melee all in his stride.

And as the Bayonne man prepares to take on the Irish once again, he maintains he would do nothing differently if the same opportunity arose.

"I wouldn't hesitate doing it again because I genuinely thought it was the right ball," said Phillips.

"In sport, sometimes you're on the wrong end of decisions and sometimes you've just got to ride your luck.

"I've enjoyed playing against Ireland over the years. They're a great side and they've got some great individual players.

Respect

"As an individual against them, I've got to be at my best and I've got a lot of respect for them as a team and as individuals.

"A few of their players have won Heineken Cups, so they know how to win games. We'll need to be at our best to win."

A trip to Dublin's Aviva Stadium is a daunting first assignment for Wales in this year's Six Nations — they have tasted victory only once in their last five visits to the Irish capital.

That win did, however, come at a pivotal time in 2008, clinching the Triple Crown for Wales and setting them on their way to a Grand Slam.

"The first game is always a massive game. If we can win the first one it can create momentum for the rest of the tournament," Phillips added.

"We've been quietly working hard and we're all just itching to get out there.

"Ireland won't be happy that we have beaten them in the last two games. We've got to be confident about that.

"Hopefully we can go there, create some pressure and take our opportunities.

"Last time we made few mistakes and we were very indisciplined. Discipline away from home needs to be squeaky clean."

Phillips knows exactly how important discipline in this fixture can be, as his sin-binning at Croke Park four years ago almost tipped the game in Ireland's favour. Wales held firm, though, and for tomorrow's clash Phillips has set his sights on what could be a fascinating duel with his opposite number.

Munster's Conor Murray has earned comparisons to Phillips in Ireland, owing to his 6ft frame and abrasive style, but Wales's scrum-half thinks there are still some telling differences between the two.

"He's not as handsome as me, he's got some way to go," Phillips laughs.

"He's more of a threat at nine than they've had for a few years. He's a good youngster and he's doing well at Munster.

"He's a promising player and someone we'll have to watch around the fringes."

While Murray might occupy Phillips's thoughts without the ball, when the former Osprey is in possession he will be boosted by the presence of Rhys Priestland alongside him.

Fly-half Priestland has been passed fit to start tomorrow's Test, and Phillips is looking forward to renewing their partnership.

"Rhys played tremendously at the World Cup and showed what he can do. He's a class act," he said.

"He played really well leading up to the World Cup as well, and he's been doing well since coming back.

"It's great for us at the moment that we've got him and James Hook, who is also a world-class performer."

One player Phillips will not be able to combine with tomorrow, however, is Shane Williams.

This will be Wales's first Test since the international retirement of their all-time leading try-scorer, and Phillips admits it will be an almost impossible task to replace his former Ospreys team-mate.

"I think Shane's arguably one of the best players ever to have played the game," he said.

"He's a major threat with the ball in hand, and he can create something from nothing.

"To score with his last touch in international rugby says it all.

"He's like the Elvis of rugby. Not in terms of his singing, though."