CLIVE Griffiths has had a week to forget, and he reckons the furore surrounding Mike Ruddock's departure is not over yet.

But Wales' defence coach insists that the squad will not let that affect them ahead of Sunday's clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

He said: "It has been a difficult week, one to forget.

"Mike is a great friend of mine and a close colleague and to see him leave a position he has coveted for so many years in the way he did is disappointing and upsetting.

"It has not been easy and I'm sure there will be more revelations and speculations and it won't go away.

"But we are all professionals and we have to block out these external factors for the weekend.

"It has affected us but once the whistle goes on Sunday the players will just have to get on with it.

"Our preparation leading up to the game won't change, we beat them last season so we know that there is no reason why we can't do it again."

Following Ruddock's departure last week, Griffiths' own position has come under scrutiny but he admits there is nothing he can do about his own future.

"I just have to be professional and get on with preparing the team."

There have been some rumours that the Wales team could face a fans' backlash over their apparent part in Ruddock's departure.

But prop Duncan Jones doesn't feel that scenario will happen.

He said: "Welsh rugby has been through periods of difficulty before and the public have always been brilliant in their support of the players.

"They've backed us before and I'm sure they'll do the same on Sunday."

Jones also called for unity within Welsh rugby ahead of Sunday's clash with Ireland.

He said: "We are a close squad of players and we just have to stick together, that is all we can do.

"We can't control outside influences and we must put it to the back of our minds and concentrate on Ireland on Sunday.

"It is going to be difficult for us in Dublin, it is not an easy place to play but we know we can get a result."