Successive losses against Italy, England and Scotland have left Wales hurtling towards a first championship whitewash since 1995 and unbeaten Ireland are chasing their first Grand Slam since 1948, and have not lost in Cardiff for 20 years.

Wales won the last two Paris meetings with France, their final opponents, they went 24 years without victory on French soil between 1975 and 1999.

Everything, it would appear, is stacked against coach Steve Hansen and his players but they have no intention of throwing in the towel against an Irish side hailed by home captain Jonathan Humphreys as the best in this season's RBS 6 Nations tournament.

"It has been a tough championship for us, but the mood is still upbeat and we are working hard," said Bath scrum-half Cooper.

"Hopefully, on Saturday, we can go out with the same sort of attitude that we displayed against England. We took a lot of positives from that game.

"We went back a little bit against Scotland, and we need a bit more control on the ball. If we do that, then I think we can beat Ireland."

Cooper, provided that he resists the scrum-half challenge of Dwayne Peel and keeps his place, faces a key individual battle opposite Irish number nine Peter Stringer.

And the 23-year-old has no doubt that Stringer is a vital component of the green machine.

"He has got a brilliant pass and gets his back-line moving very well. He is also very strong around the ruck area," Cooper added.

"Stringer seems to be general around his forwards, and has their respect. The key battle is going to be among the packs, and if you can get control up-front, then it makes things a lot easier for the half-backs."