Who is playing and when?
After a weekend off, round three of the Six Nations gets underway with Ireland welcoming Wales to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 24th. Kick-off is at 2.15pm.
Can I watch?
Of course. RTÉ are on television duty while the game will also be available live on their radio airwaves.
As ever, The Irish Times live blog will offer text commentary, with build-up to the action starting two hours before kick-off at 12.15pm.
Wales are struggling this year, right?
Yes, but perhaps not as badly as people anticipated. Warren Gatland injected plenty of youth into his squad after last year’s World Cup, no more so than when handing the captaincy to 21-year-old Exeter lock Dafydd Jenkins.
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While experienced heads such as George North, Josh Adams and Tomos Williams are still to the fore, at times the lack of experience in Wales’ squad has shown. Against Scotland, they imploded in the first half, a display Gatland described as the worst of his coaching career, as they fell behind 27-0. A thrilling second half comeback featuring an abundance of wide attacking play saw the deficit narrowed to 27-26, only for the comeback to ultimately fall short.
Ireland vs Wales preview
Against England, Wales actually led at half-time again thanks to their attack firing at opportune moments, the first time they led at the break in a championship match at Twickenham since 1980. However, in the second half the lack of adaptability, the nous to change tack when England’s rush defence swarmed their narrow attack cost them. England ultimately came back to win 16-14.
Two defeats from as many matches does not read particularly well, but Wales have displayed a higher standard of performance than what was expected.
Form guide
Wales last beat Ireland in 2021 when Peter O’Mahony was sent off during a game played behind closed doors in Cardiff. Ireland have won the last two encounters in 2022 and during last year’s Grand Slam run.
Prior to that, Ireland had won the previous four clashes between the sides - including World Cup warm-ups - stemming back to the 2019 Six Nations.
Team news
There’s no confirmation either way yet, but Ireland are sweating on the fitness of Hugo Keenan. The Leinster fullback picked up a knee injury in the victory over Italy and while Ireland insist he has not been ruled out of this weekend yet, Ciarán Frawley was not released to play for Leinster on Saturday as was initially planned. Make of that what you will.
The worst kept secret in Irish rugby over the last few weeks was confirmed on Thursday when Andy Farrell revealed Ciarán Frawley will start at fullback instead of the injured Hugo Keenan. Ireland’s regular 15 picked up a knee injury vs Italy.
Elsewhere, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne and Tadhg Furlong all return to the starting XV after either being rested or missing out vs the Azzurri through injury. Oli Jager is set for a debut off the bench, a boost for him after beating out Finlay Bealham for a spot in the 23, while Stuart McCloskey is rewarded for his performance a fortnight ago with a slot on the bench.
Ireland: Ciarán Frawley (Leinster); Calvin Nash (Munster), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Jack Crowley (Munster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster); Peter O’Mahony (capt)(Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Oli Jager (Munster), James Ryan (Leinster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster).
Wales named their side a couple of days earlier than Ireland - a Gatland special. Sam Costelow is the only new face in the XV that lost to England, the Scarlets outhalf returning after picking up a neck injury in round one vs Scotland.
Elsewhere, Cameron Winnett continues his run at fullback while George North is set to become only the third Welsh player to reach 120 caps.
Wales: C Winnett (Cardiff); J Adams (Cardiff), G North (Ospreys), N Tompkins (Saracens), R Dyer (Dragons); S Costelow (Scarlets), T Williams (Cardiff); G Thomas (Ospreys), E Dee (Dragons), K Assiratti (Cardiff); D Jenkins (Exeter, capt), A Beard (Ospreys); A Mann (Cardiff), T Reffell (Leicester), A Wainwright (Dragons).
Replacements: R Elias (Scarlets), C Domachowski (Cardiff), D Lewis (Harlequins), W Rowlands (Racing 92), M Martin (Cardiff), K Hardy (Scarlets), I Lloyd (Scarlets), M Grady (Cardiff).
