Ireland continue their quest for back-to-back Six Nations titles and Grand Slams when they face a winless Wales in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
- Ireland vs Wales
- 2:15pm, Saturday, February 24th
- Aviva Stadium, Dublin
The Aviva Stadium awaits Wales on Saturday - a daunting prospect for any team, let alone a young squad aiming to bounce back from two narrow defeats.
Despite falling short against Scotland and England by a combined three points, a victory against an Irish side aiming for back-to-back Six Nations titles and Grand Slams would be a huge shock.
While the odds may be stacked against them, this youthful Welsh team are unlikely to go down without a fight as they aim to derail Ireland’s title aspirations and we look set for an entertaining clash in Dublin.
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Ireland vs Wales Betting Tips
Here are our picks for the meeting at Twickenham, looking at one try-scorer and one bet builder.
Wales +22
Despite being underdogs, Wales pushed Scotland and England to the limit in their opening two games.
After a sluggish start against Scotland, Warren Gatland’s side nearly snatched victory, just falling short in a thrilling 27-26 defeat. Similarly, they squandered a lead against England, losing 16-14 at Twickenham.
These narrow losses highlight the potential of this young Welsh side and their determination to stay competitive until the final whistle. Had it not been for the experience of Scotland and England in closing out the games, the Welsh could be heading into this clash with a perfect record.
While Ireland are firm favourites on Saturday, Wales can give them a run for their money, and their recent close calls suggest they are a solid bet with a generous 22-point handicap start.
Dan Sheehan to score Ireland’s first try
Ireland’s dynamic hooker, Dan Sheehan, sits top of the Six Nations tryscoring charts with an impressive three tries after two matches.
His explosive presence in the loose and his threat from attacking lineouts make him a constant danger for opposing defences.
Sheehan’s form and the Irish pack’s dominance make him a solid bet to grab the first try for the hosts.
Team Lineups
We take a closer look at both teams for Saturday’s big clash in Dublin.
Ireland
Having rested several key players for their clash against Italy, Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named a strong starting XV for their clash against Wales, including the return of captain Peter O’Mahony in the back-row and Bundee Aki at centre.
- Porter
- Sheehan
- Furlong
- McCarthy
- Beirne
- O’Mahony (capt)
- Van Der Flier
- Doris
- Gibson-Park
- Crowley
- Lowe
- Aki
- Henshaw
- Nash
- Frawley
Wales
Warren Gatland has made just one change to the Wales XV who lost at Twickenham, with fly-half Sam Costelow replacing Scarlets team-mate Ioan Lloyd.
It’s a squad that is light on experience, with 12 of the visiting 23, including seven starters, playing their first Six Nations match in Dublin.
- Thomas
- Dee
- Assiratti
- Jenkins (Capt)
- Beard
- Mann
- Reffell
- Wainwright
- Williams
- Costelow
- Dyer
- Tompkins
- North
- Adams
- Winnett
Previous Results
Check out the last five results between Ireland and Wales in the Six Nations below.
| Year | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Wales 10-34 Ireland | Cardiff |
| 2022 | Ireland 29-7 Wales | Dublin |
| 2021 | Wales 21-16 Ireland | Cardiff |
| 2020 | Ireland 24-14 Wales | Dublin |
| 2019 | Wales 25-7 Ireland | Cardiff |
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