Robbie Henshaw believes Ireland's fledgling centre partnership faces its toughest RBS Six Nations test yet in Wales on Saturday against Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies.

Connacht battering ram Henshaw has rubbished the suggestions that Warren Gatland’s Wales are past their peak that surfaced after the 21-16 home defeat to England.

Ireland's 21-year-old midfield sensation will pair up with Jared Payne in the centres for just the fifth time in Test action at the Millennium Stadium.

Roberts and Davies will combine from the start for the 38th time on Saturday, at the heart of an unchanged line-up following victory over France in Paris.

“I think it could definitely be the toughest test for me and Jared,” said Henshaw of the challenge against Roberts and Davies.

“Wales are very direct but also they run decoy lines with Roberts coming up, only to throw it out the back and go wide.

“It’s going to test us big-time, so we’ve got to be prepared and stay connected in defence, and just keep our communication up all day.”

Racing Metro centre Roberts will win his 68th Test cap for Wales this weekend while Clermont's Davies will make it 47 in Cardiff's pivotal Six Nations clash.

“I think the Welsh centre partnership is up there with one of the best in the world.

“They have a really physical threat and massive size in that 10, 12 channel from Jamie Roberts, and then a very good ball player and direct runner in Jonathan Davies.

“They are going to test us big-time this week but we are fully prepared for what they are going to throw at us.

“We’ll have to get off the line quickly in defence and shut down their space and options as early as we can.

“I’m constantly learning, growing into it more and more, getting a bit more confident with every game, especially with Jared outside and Johnny (Sexton) inside.

“We’re building a good relationship there, so at the moment we’re just looking to build on recent performances. We’ll look to get into them early, and we won’t hold back.”

Ireland can remain on course for a second Grand Slam in seven years with victory on Saturday, with a trip to Scotland still ahead.

Ruthless boss Joe Schmidt this week omitted veteran centre Gordon D'Arcy from his 36-man training squad for the remaining two Six Nations contests.

D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll set a world record 55-Test centre partnership in their wide-ranging careers.

Game plan

Henshaw has long been touted as the now-retired O’Driscoll’s natural successor at outside centre, but has instead found himself replacing D’Arcy at 12.

The Athlone native is gearing up for just his ninth cap in Cardiff, with New Zealand-born Payne in line for his fifth Test bow.

So from boasting the world’s most experienced centre pairing en route to last year’s Six Nations title, Ireland will concede 101 caps to their midfield rivals against Wales this weekend.

Henshaw has vowed he and Payne “won’t hold back” however, buoyed by his first Test try that clinched Ireland’s 19-9 victory over England.

“This Wales team is absolutely not past its peak,” said Henshaw.

“The fact that they are at home and that they play their best rugby at the Millennium, they’re going to cause a massive threat for us.

“So we’re going to have to be squeaky clean on the day in terms of our discipline and we’re going to have to take all the chances we get.

“It might be more open than the England game, but we want to stick to our game plan and follow through on what the coaches want from us.

“It’s not going to be more than a two-score game though.

"They are not predictable either: they have a lot of different options available to them with Dan Biggar at 10.

“He gives them a good attacking threat and good aerial skills in the team. We’re just going to have to be prepared for anything.”

English frustration

Meanwhile Joe Marler says England will take the "frustration" of the defeat to Ireland out on Scotland this Saturday at Twickenham.

Any hope of completing the Grand Slam evaporated with a comprehensive 19-9 defeat by Ireland.

“We definitely need to see a reaction after losing to Ireland and because of the levels of frustration and the edginess we’ve seen in training, I hope there will be one,” said the loosehead prop.

“Ireland was 10 days ago but there’s still a massive amount of frustration from the boys and me personally.”