Both sides arrive at this game, the first after a rest weekend in the schedule, in very different form.
Ireland snatched a last-gasp win in Paris first time out this year before thrashing Italy at home to confirm their attacking prowess.
Joe Schmidt’s men have lofty ambitions of taking an unbeaten record to Twickenham on the final day for a potential Grand Slam decider – but have to overcome a replenished Wales side first.
Warren Gatland welcomed back three British and Irish Lions into his backs this week in the wake of 12-6 defeat to England and Wales look better than the 7/2 underdogs they are listed as with the bookies.
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Ireland: Kearney, Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Porter, Ryan, Toner, O’Mahony, Leavy, Stander.
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Wales: Halfpenny, L Williams, S Williams, Parkes, S Evans; Biggar, Davies; R Evans, Owens, Lee, Hill, AW Jones, Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty.
- Kick-off at 2.15pm
Ireland vs Wales LIVE
2.05pm: On the other side, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is charge with the task of breaking a three-game streak without a win over Wales in the Six Nations. They didn’t even manage a try last time out – but remain big favourites to win at home today.
If they are to fulfil that, they will have to nullfy the likes of Liam Williams, Leigh Halfpenny and Dan Biggar – as well as George North off the bench.
Wales players in the tunnel so we’ll be doing the anthems (blooming great anthems today) in a few minutes. Ireland are making Wales wait though. Mind games have started early.
1.50pm: We should pay tribute to Warren Gatland today, who takes charge of Wales for the 100th time. Interestingly, earlier this week he revealed how taking the job in the first place was the hardest thing to do.
“I was sitting there with the contract in front of me and my heart was pounding.
“I was thinking, ‘Am I doing the right thing? I am not sure. Shall I just get up and walk out?’ I have never told anyone this, but my daughter Gabby rang me and said, ‘Dad, don’t do it’.
“Then she rang me back 20 minutes later and said, ‘If you want to do it, I will support you’.
“That was quite hard from a family perspective, but I signed the contract and that was the start.”
1.30pm: Boy it’s chilly in Dublin today. Highs of four degrees Celsius expected so everybody (except those brave chaps in short shorts in the middle) will be wrapped up warm.
But they should find their soul warmed by an intriguing match-up between two sides with stacks of talent – but one with a loss already this year.
Wales are still smarting from what they saw as a dodgy TMO decision at Twickenham and an aerial assault from England and will be out for revenge, no doubt.
