But Gough’s aerial challenge is much closer to the ground on Saturday as he prepares for a twin-engine threat posed by Irish second-row giants Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan.

Ospreys lock Gough has had many battles over the seasons - for Wales, the Ospreys and Newport Gwent Dragons - against two of Munster’s finest.

It is a distinct possibility that Gough and his Wales second-row colleague Alun-Wyn Jones could link up with the Ireland lineout partnership on this summer’s Lions tour to South Africa.

But far more pressing matters await this weekend, with Wales looking to land a second successive RBS 6 Nations crown, third Triple Crown in five seasons and end Ireland’s Grand Slam dream.

“They are two fine second rows, in fairness to them,” said Gough, who makes his 59th Test appearance as Wales’ second-most capped lock behind Gareth Llewellyn.

“What with the Magners League as well, we’ve had plenty of battles in the past. I’m not sure how many consecutive games they have played together, but in the majority of the big Tests they are always there.

“They are probably two of the names that are already pencilled in for the Lions tour. Everyone knows their quality.

“They are at the top of the tree. They’ve played superbly well for Munster, and then duplicated that on the international stage.

“We’ve had some good tussles. They are good players - honest, really hard-working, skilful boys.”

Gough, who made his international debut almost 11 years ago, is an often-unheralded influence on the Wales team.

A tough, consistent, workaholic type at the top level, he continues to provide the cement with which Wales’ increasingly-imposing forward platform is built.

He is also viewed in some quarters as Wales’ so-called ’enforcer’, although it is a label he immediately rejects.

“I wouldn’t say enforcer,” he said. “That implies you sort of go around hitting people - I don’t want that tag. “I go around playing the game I am best at. At the moment, it is paying dividends for me.

“I am also not a big believer in the sledging aspect of things. You can make your actions count a lot louder than words when you are out on the pitch, in my opinion.

“You can exert pressure in all kinds of different ways - the speed you come up in the lineout, the pressure you put on by putting people in the air.

“Whatever psychological advantage you can get, you get, and every team does the same thing. If you can see a team beginning to break, it sort of raises you a little bit.

“The important thing is not to make it look like you are going to break - even if you are on the last tether that is about to snap.”