Sam Warburton has explained the key difference between Ireland and Wales.
The former skipper also feels this weekend's clash with Scotland is a must-win match - you can see the likely team for this weekend's match here - otherwise Wales could find themselves in a wooden spoon decider with Italy further down the track.
Wayne Pivac's side were comprehensively beaten 29-7 in Dublin last Saturday - see how the players rated here - and had to bank on a Taine Basham intercept to avoid being nilled for the first time in Six Nations history.
It was a gloomy start to a campaign, that always threatened to be difficult, as they were completely overwhelmed.
In his assessment of the match on BBC Six Nations special, Warburton pointed to the quality of Ireland's front five and the momentum they were able to generate.
"I used to get asked when there was a divide between the north and south - what's the big difference?" Said Warburton.
"I used to say that the southern hemisphere have front fives who can carry ball.
"We've got that now and Ireland epitomised that. The Ireland front five made 22 passes to Wales' six. Their handling is really good.
"But, more importantly, rugby is a physical game. The front five gained 110 metres compared to Wales' 27.
"That's where the big difference at the moment, Wales don't have that front five who can carry and break the gainline.
"Ireland have got a front five who can carry, attract defenders and they've got the subtlety have their hands as well to add to their game.
"I'm very impressed with Ireland and there's a little bit of work to do for Wales."
Warburton used clips of Tadhg Furlong's handling during the match and carries from Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne to illustrate his point.
The result of the front five dominance is that Ireland, as fellow pundit John Barclay explained, saw 71% of their rucks last less than three seconds, making it very difficult to defend.
Next up for Wales is the visit of Scotland, who will be brimming with confidence after defending the Calcutta Cup with a narrow victory of England.
Scotland haven't won in Cardiff since 2002 but will head into the game as clear favourites. Warburton, though, feels it's vitally important Wales win.
"They can only focus on their next game. Scotland are coming down to Cardiff and they're coming in the best place they've been in since I can remember," he said.
"Scotland will definitely be favourites but Wales have to win because if they don't they're going to Twickenham in round three.
"If they don't win, they could be looking at zero from three and then they've got to play France and Italy.
"You don't want to go into Italy zero from four. They don't want to put themselves under that pressure.
"It's a huge game next week against Scotland."
When asked what changes to the side he might make, Warburton called for Ross Moriarty to come back into the starting XV.
"I think Ross Moriarty might come in, just because he's one of those physical forwards that we have and he brings an emotional and physical edge.
"I think he might come back into the team because that's where Wales are going to have to meet Scotland, who were physical in defence against England."
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