Preview: Hope turns to Six Nations expectation for Ireland against Wales

We're two years into the Andy Farrell reign and for the first time in that period the Irish rugby team are dealing with genuine expectation.

His first campaign came with the hangover of the 2019 World Cup, the mood around Irish rugby still wounded from the failings in Japan, and by the time the tournament was postponed in mid-March Ireland were still going through the motions; reasonable wins at home to Wales and Scotland followed up by a reality check at Twickenham.

When rugby resumed that autumn, Ireland looked sluggish.

It was bookended by impressive performances against Italy and Scotland at the Aviva, but overall the atmosphere was one of concern at another defeat to England in which Ireland failed to land any real punches.

That cloud hung over them for much of last year's Guinness Six Nations before it finally clicked in Round 5, the 32-18 win against England giving us a glimpse of what was to come.

Heading into the Autumn Nations Series in November, we were dealing with quiet confidence rather than true belief, but the wins against New Zealand, Japan and Argentina, and specifically the manner in which they were achieved, means Ireland have moved up a gear from hope into expectation.

So what is that expectation?

With an eight-game winning streak and a relatively healthy squad, the simple answer would be that Ireland have to be aiming for a title.

But since we're in an even year, the away trips to Paris and Twickenham mean a title would be hard-earned, and reliant on other results barring an unlikely Grand Slam.

Being realistic rather than simplistic, three home wins and an away victory either in Paris or London would represent progress, another step along the road, and would crucially give scope for improvement heading into