ROB Howley has labelled the Aviva Stadium as the perfect place to start the Six Nations as Wales attempt to extinguish the anguish of 2014.

Sam Warburton and his team will be trying to repeat the Grand Slam exploits of 2008 and 2012 by winning the title in the tournaments following a World Cup.

Key to doing so will be starting with a bang in Dublin against an Ireland side chasing a historic hat-trick of titles.

Wales famously triumphed at the Aviva Stadium on a Sunday four years ago when Leigh Halfpenny booted them to a 23-21 late on but it was anguish last time they travelled to Ireland in the competition, their hosts hammering them 26-3 in an embarrassingly one-sided affair.

“The first game in any Six Nations is pretty important,” said Howley. “We are going to a place where we did not have a pleasant experience two years ago.

“You remember the day and those moments. We have gone back there since but there is no better place to start than the Aviva Stadium with an Ireland team out to play some good rugby.”

But Wales are also bracing themselves for an aerial bombardment in challenging conditions under grey Dublin skies.

“It can be very blustery and rainy,” said Howley. “We will have to adapt on the day and we have spoken about what we can influence and control. It is about dictating the speed of the game and who controls the game in the areas we need to.”

“I think there will be a lot of kicking,” he continued. “The aerial battle will be key in terms of the counter-attack.

“It is about dominating the air. We will have to be accurate in that area if we are to win because there will be a fair number of kicks.”