Alun Wyn Jones insists he and his team-mates are determined to send Warren Gatland packing from the Six Nations arena exactly how he entered it with Wales – as a Grand Slam winner.

Head coach Gatland's Six Nations adventure started in triumphant fashion with Wales 11 years ago when his players were crowned unbeaten champions.

It was Wales' second clean sweep in four seasons following a Mike Ruddock-inspired success in 2005, while they repeated the feat under Gatland four years later.

If Wales beat Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday, they will claim another title and Grand Slam in Gatland's final Six Nations game at the helm.

It would also be a Five or Six Nations record for any coach, and provide Wales with a dream send-off into this year's World Cup, which will be Gatland's swansong before he steps down.

"He has a bit left on his contract, so we won't let him get too far ahead," Wales captain Jones said.

"But he came in with one [Grand Slam], and it would be nice for him to leave with one.

"There is a big 80 minutes before we can look at the romantic and sentimental side of it.

"It's his last Six Nations, but there is a bit to go yet, so we are not going to let him sail off into the sunset just yet."

A Wales win – they have claimed 13 successive Test victories since Ireland toppled them at the midway point of last season's Six Nations – would see Jones join an exclusive club.

It would be his third Six Nations Grand Slam, which is a feat achieved by just three other Wales players; Gethin Jenkins, Adam Jones and Ryan Jones.

Ireland can still win the title, but they must beat Wales and hope that Scotland claim a first Twickenham victory over England for 36 years.

"Domestically, you look at the success the Irish teams have had over the years," Jones added.

"In the last 18 months, as well, they've probably set the standard in northern hemisphere international rugby.

"They've claimed a few big scalps and they have been, arguably, the most consistent team. We are well aware of their calibre."

The Principality Stadium roof, meanwhile, is expected to be open for Saturday's game.

Despite a weather forecast for Cardiff on Saturday of strong winds and torrential rain, Ireland have requested that the roof remain open.

Wales' preference is for it to be closed, but both teams must agree, or – under Six Nations regulations – it stays open.

Ireland captain Rory Best, meanwhile, believes Joe Schmidt's true coaching acumen lies in his man management.

Exacting Ireland boss Schmidt has long been revered as a tactical genius, devising one-off special moves to unpick individual defensive weak points.

But now Best has revealed Schmidt's ultimate Midas touch as the ability to confound his players' expectations, to keep them sharp.

Evergreen hooker Best will play his final Six Nations match against Wales on Saturday, but that will also prove head coach Schmidt's tournament farewell.

"There are many shades of Joe; he'll judge the week depending on what he feels we need," said Best.

"Sometimes coming off the back of a good performance he's incredibly hard at you in the early part of the week.

"Sometimes coming off the back of a good performance he can be praise you quite a bit. He mixes it up.

"He's incredibly good at gauging the mood of the group, and how we're going, and what we need to really concentrate on to make sure that we can improve, keep getting better and ultimately win a game tomorrow.

"That's the skill of the man. There are all the plays, the way we go about bits and pieces of our game.

"But the last little bit that's a bit more unseen is just the way he manages people and the way he manages the group as a whole."

Best admitted his 64th and final Six Nations turn will definitely provide several poignant moments, even though Ireland are itching to deny Wales a first Grand Slam since 2012.

The 116-cap Ulster star intends to retire after the autumn's World Cup, and knows full well the privilege the tournament has offered him since his Six Nations debut back in 2006.

Asked if the emotion will creep up on the day, Best said: "There will be moments. When you leave the bedroom for the team meeting, hopping on the bus, during the anthems - those moments dawn on you as the last in a Six Nations game.

"You'll miss the little high bits; that first whistle when the crowd goes bananas, the atmosphere in the changing room after, when everyone is sitting down, absolutely knackered.

"I've always said if I could pick when I want to leave, I want to go on my terms when I am playing well.

"I feel I am playing well at the moment and I'm looking forward to what comes, hopefully, at the end of the year.

"Ultimately I feel now is the time to go and it's an incredible spectacle tomorrow."