WALES coach Rob Howley has come out in defence of his boss after an Irish columnist declared that Warren Gatland has the 'intellect of a tub of Flora'.

Former Ireland lock Neil Francis, the newspaper trade's version of a 'shock jock', wrote that it will be a home win in Saturday's crunch Six Nations clash at the Millennium Stadium if head coach Gatland gets his tactics right.

But he went on revisit the "shameful nepotism" of picking 10 Welsh players in the Lions side that hammered Australia in the third and deciding Test before using his margarine analogy to say that the New Zealander isn't the sharpest.

"The wonderful thing about rugby is everyone has their opinion about how the game should be played and personalities within the game," said Howley.

"When it becomes personal it is disappointing. The game is bigger than that. It's a players' game and for someone to have an individual criticism and a personal snipe at someone who has won a Lions series, been involved in Six Nations Grand Slams and championships is disappointing because we don't need that in our game.

"Whether you are on Ireland's side or Wales' side you want the best game for the players and coaches and we don't need comments like that, which I feel is a personal attack and totally unfair."

Regarding matters on the pitch, Howley has stressed the importance of Wales avoiding playing catch-up against an Ireland side that are imperious when they get their noses in front.

The former scrum-half, who also revealed that the hosts have opted for an open roof, said: "Our plan out in France was to start well and we got in front. It's the same against Ireland.

"They're pretty effective when they're in front, in terms of the game they play, and I think it's a challenge for both sides to get momentum and get first up on the scoreboard. When you're leading, that's when you need your composure and patience."

Saturday's encounter promises to be a tense one but there is likely to be plenty of kicking with Howley confident Wales can thrive against the Irish where England came unstuck.

"Over the last four or five years the aerial battle has been a significant technical part of the game," he said.

"It's something all of our back-three players (Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and George North) are astute in. You can add Dan Biggar to that.

"There have been examples in the championship where we've dominated in the air. It's about winning the sky and we're happy where we're it in terms of that battle."