The Friday night clash comes with Wales searching for a first win the the Six Nations in 15 matches a first tournament victory in the Irish capital since 2021.
Wales head to Aviva Stadium still looking for a breakthrough in this year’s and Hawkins believes the only realistic way of ending that run is by concentrating on their own performance rather than being distracted by Ireland’s form.
Ireland’s campaign has been a mixed one so far.
A heavy opening defeat in France was followed by an unconvincing home win over Italy, before Andy Farrell’s side emphatically reasserted themselves with a 42-21 demolition of England at Twickenham last weekend.
That result has inevitably sharpened the challenge awaiting Wales on Friday night, but Hawkins says trying to predict which Ireland side will appear is a waste of energy.
“You can’t think what Ireland team’s going to turn up,” said the centre.
“You’ve just got to prepare for the best performance they are going to put out, make sure we’re there to match it and hopefully get a win.
“The biggest focus for us going to Dublin is to take care of our own process and performance, then come the end of 80 minutes hopefully we’ll be on the right side of the result.
“But they’re coming off a big win at Twickenham and are going to be full of confidence.”
That confidence is something Wales are still trying to rebuild after a difficult run of results.
Heavy defeats to England and France earlier in the championship threatened to derail progress under the new coaching ticket, but last weekend’s narrow loss to Scotland in Cardiff offered tangible signs that things are beginning to click.
Steve Tandy’s side led for long periods and were within five minutes of a morale-boosting victory before a late Scottish score condemned them to a 14th successive Six Nations defeat.
Despite the frustration of another narrow loss, Hawkins feels the performance itself was a crucial step forward.
“Self-belief was a big thing. It was something we had spoken about, and it does make a difference when you’re playing free with that confidence,” he said.
“Naturally you free up a little bit, you see space a little bit quicker than maybe you have done previously.
READ MORE: Wales Lose Again . . . But This Was One They Almost Won
“A game like the Scotland game really drives that confidence of what we’re doing is paying off.
“We know we’re more than capable of competing with these teams and we’re not too far away.”
Hawkins’ own contribution against Scotland was not without controversy.
In what was widely viewed as Wales’ best display of Tandy’s era so far, the 23-year-old was sent to the sin bin for an off-field review following a high tackle on blindside flanker Gregor Brown, while the Scots were building pressure.
Referee Matthew Carley ultimately settled on a yellow card, a decision many pundits – including former Wales captains Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton – felt could have been judged as a red.
Reflecting on the incident, Hawkins said: “When it’s going through the review, it’s a bit squeaky bum time, a little bit, but there’s nothing you can do when you’re there.
“You’re never trying to get a yellow card or red card; it’s just one of those things that happens. Thankfully, it was a yellow.
“It’s split-second decisions, you’ve got two or three people coming at you at the same time, almost.
“It’s something you practice (tackling lower), trying to adjust as best as you can in the scenario; sometimes you get it wrong. It’s just going to happen sometimes.
“I got it a little bit wrong on the weekend, but it’s a rugby thing; it happens sometimes.”
Crucially for Wales, the sin-binning did not immediately derail their momentum.
Rhys Carré powered over for a try, Josh Adams followed with his second of the championship, and Sam Costelow added two conversions and a penalty as the hosts looked on course for a long-awaited win.
Scotland, however, responded through Finn Russell’s penalty and a late try from Darcy Graham before snatching victory in the closing minutes.
Ireland will pose an even sterner test, particularly in midfield.
With Bundee Aki unavailable earlier in the tournament, Stuart McCloskey has impressed alongside Garry Ringrose, offering a blend of power and subtlety that Wales must contain.
“He’s playing well. I’ve played against him a couple times and you know what to expect,” Hawkins said.
“He’s not just a big man who wants to carry over the top of you.
“He’s got a nice offloading game and short passing game, so he can mix it up a bit as well.”
For Wales, there were positives to take from the Scotland game, not least Hawkins’ developing partnership with Scarlets team-mate Eddie James in the centre.
“Hopefully, that partnership can continue,” Hawkins said.
“We play a fair bit at the Scarlets together, and know him well.
“Since he’s come back from injury, he’s been in really good form, and he’s a huge man, so the more you can get him on the ball and going forward for us, it makes it easier for the rest of the team.”
