WALES captain Sam Warburton says he's prepared to "blow a gasket" on his return from injury in a bid to stop Ireland getting off to a flying start on Sunday.

The flanker doesn't expect to have any problems in hitting the ground running for the Six Nations opener at the Aviva Stadium despite playing just one game, against Italian minnows Calvisano, since suffering an ankle injury against the Ospreys in November.

Warburton is confident that he will be able to get straight up to speed with Test rugby and is reassured by the presence of his old pal Dan Lydiate, who is only just back from a shoulder/neck problem himself, among the replacements.

"I've done it quite a few times before and it hasn't bothered me," said the Cardiff Blues flanker, who will play blindside with Justin Tipuric at openside. "The intensity we have replicated in training has been good.

"This will be my fourth trip to Ireland and I know what tempo to expect, how quick and physical the game will be. I know what's coming so my mind and body is ready that.

"I will go as hard as I can and if I blow a gasket, I blow a gasket – that's why you have a British Lion to come off the bench."

Warburton knows from experience that a rapid start will be needed in Dublin if they are to avoid coming a cropper against an Irish side who are terrific front-runners.

Two years ago Wales were comprehensively outplayed in a 26-3 defeat with the hosts bossing matters from the first whistle.

"They just got a really good start. We had to defend quite a few phases for the first 20 or 30 minutes," said Warburton.

"All I remember is the Irish crowd were so loud and you could see the team feeding off that, and they kept growing through the game. Trying to stop that early on will be pretty important.

"You want to start every international game well, but in particular on that occasion I can remember them getting their tails up as soon as the crowd started getting behind them.

"They were getting good rumbles going and becoming very competent in that. So I think we have to try to stick a pin in that balloon early on by becoming physical and direct and execute our game-plan, to get us into the game pretty early.

"It wasn't a good experience and it will probably put us on edge a bit more, because we expect a really good Irish team at home.

"Ireland have always been one of the toughest fixtures in the Six Nations – every year we play them. Last year was probably the most physical Six Nations fixture I've played in."