Ireland v Wales

Check out how to watch Wales v Ireland live on TV this weekend, plus the latest team news and odds.

For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the [Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast](https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/). [England Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-england-fixtures/) [France Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-france-fixtures/) [Ireland Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-ireland-fixtures/) [Italy Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-italy-fixtures/) [Scotland Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-scotland-fixtures/) [Wales Six Nations 2023 fixtures and squad](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-wales-fixtures/) Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. [TV Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/) or [Streaming Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming-guide/), or visit our [Sport](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/) hub for all the latest news. Andy Farrell's men enter this tournament on the back of a terrific 2022 which saw them defeat world champions South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. [Wales v Ireland](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/wales-ireland-six-nations-2023-preview/) (2:15pm) BBC One / S4C [England v Scotland](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/england-scotland-six-nations-2023-preview/) (4:45pm) ITV1 [Italy v France](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/italy-france-six-nations-2023-preview/) (3pm) ITV1 Time limits and T&Cs apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. [9/4](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01001255)) Draw ( [22/1](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01001255)) Ireland ( [2/5](https://www.bet365.com/olp/open-account?affiliate=365_01001255))* [Six Nations TV fixtures schedule](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/rugby-union/six-nations-2023-tv-fixtures/) for the latest times and information. [learn more](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/commercial-links-on-radiotimes-com/))

Byron Hayward has used the example of his big four from 2022 to highlight how quickly things can change for up-and-coming players as Wales start their U20 ...

Hennessey and Winnett then flick offloads out the back and Morgan, the speedster, on the right, finishes expertly. TRY! That's a great try.

THE SIX NATIONS is back this weekend and Ireland's first game will be against a familiar foe in W...

"That is the great thing about the Six Nations, it is not just about the game but it is so much more. Dan Biggar, Scrum half: 9. Leigh Halfpenny, who won 97 caps for his country was expected to start, but was ruled out on Thursday. Out half: 10. A try from Bundee Aki, two from Andrew Conway, and Gary Ringrose capped of a comfortable evening for Andy Farrel's men last year. 2019: Ireland won 19-10 in Dublin

Ireland kicked off their U20 Six Nations campaign with a win over Wales in Colwyn Bay. Here's how it looked from where we were sitting...

Ireland kick off their U20 Six Nations campaign in Wales. Follow every ruck, maul and scrum right here...

Match preview, team news and statistics for the opening match of the 2023 Six Nations between Wales and Ireland - which is live on BBC One on Saturday.

Conversely, they scored the second most (31) and conceded the joint-second fewest points (13) of any team in the last 20 minutes of matches. - The away team has not won any of the last nine Six Nations meetings, with each nation winning four games with one draw. - They scored the fewest (12) and conceded the most points (40) of any side in the first 20 minutes of games in last year's Championship. Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the stadium roof being closed: "It's a fantastic stadium. It's fantastic. We've been there before when it's closed and there's no atmosphere like it. Andrew Cotter: How big is the Warren effect? Ireland are certainly favourites. And yet... With Robbie Henshaw still out, centre Stuart McCloskey retains his place, with Bundee Aki named on the bench. Wales full-back Liam Williams comes in as a late replacement for Leigh Halfpenny, who suffered a back spasm in training. Centre Joe Hawkins makes his championship debut.

Johnny Sexton has recovered from a face injury and will captain Andy Farrell's side in Cardiff.

“We had that experience in 2018 and 2019 with Wales. I’ve had that experience in the past with Wales, having to handle the favourites’ tag. We went through 14 matches unbeaten, and the thing about that is you’ve got a team that has composure, takes their moment and is able to manage games. "We want to challenge ourselves. “There were probably one or two games in the autumn when they (Ireland) were under a little bit of pressure and they could have lost or it could have gone the other way, but they knew how to close the game down and manage it. “We’re definitely not preparing like that. Meanwhile, Leigh Halfpenny also misses out for Wales having initially been named in their starting XV. “That is definitely the attitude I would be taking if I was in the Ireland camp. “The secret, and I am sure Andy will be talking about this, is that you don’t run away from that, you look to embrace the expectations of being the number one team in the world. “It hasn’t always been the easiest tag for Irish and Welsh teams in the past to carry going in as the favourites. Wales head coach Warren Gatland: “I suppose the free hit for us is that the expectation and pressure is on them (Ireland) to win as favourites. You can also watch the match live on the Virgin Media Player in Ireland and the BBC Player in the UK.

We hear from all four camps ahead of Saturday's Six Nations opening weekend, as Wales host Ireland in Cardiff and England face Scotland at Twickenham...

"Recent results against England have been favourable, but we're under no illusions as to how big the challenge is. We're aware of that as a pack of forwards, it will be a challenge. If you look at Borthwick and how he played at Leicester with that traditional strong English pack who want to take you on up front. "He doesn't shout, he doesn't bawl, he's not one of those that's going to hang you out to dry in front of people. "From that perspective, I'm very fortunate to be back here. Whether or not it was on the back of that performance against South Africa, I can't speak on that. And Steve does that, but he looks at your super strength and says, 'That is what I want you to be incredible at'. When you hear a coach who has been in that role, numerous times, and ended up captain and then having it taken away from him, you know he really understands. "We had that experience in 2018 and 2019 with Wales. I've had that experience in the past with Wales, having to handle the favourites' tag. "We haven't been speaking about the good old days, even though it was only last year. "In fact, he's progressing pretty well but he's not quite there yet.

Minute-by-minute report: Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland takes on the world No 1s. Join Lee Calvert.

Keenan is brought into the line up the left and the visitors are in the Wales 22 and up to eight phases before the red defence inevitably drift offside as they scramble manically. For Andy Farrell and Ireland it’s pretty much a CTRL-ALT-C, CTRL-ALT-V of the squad that delivered so much in 2022, with changes forced by injury in the main. The chance to kick sticks is spurned by Sexton and instead Ireland take a tap and go and take a few ramming carries up to the line from 5m. From herein expect every move, injury, strategy and selection to usher in hot takes, indications of portent, and the clanging doom of Ireland fans dreading yet another unsatisfactory exit. Faletau does a good job tidying up the scrum five to give Wales a couple of attacks in the Ireland 22. Ireland have another lineout, this time midway in the Wales half, which is batted off the top to find Ringrose in midfield with a solid carry. Warren Gatland has taken the lead of Embrace by coming back to what he knows with his (second) first Wales selection. Another first, Wales have a good scrum on the Ireland 22 and this time Hawkins comes in on a lovely crash angle to rumble up to within feet of the line. The ball spills and Rio Dyer is first to it, hacks on and chases 30 metres, but just as it looks like he’s about to flop on it to score, Hugo Keenan times his dive perfectly to get to it first and defuse the situation This time McCloskey is put into a gap and they are up into the 22 before some imprecise breakdown work allows Wales to win the ball back and clear. The ball is quick to recycle to Biggar, but he’s static, grappled in the tackle then the Irish defenders swarm the breakdown meaning the Welsh 10 can do nothing but hold on and be penalised. However, it’s notable that Ireland are putting very few into the ruck, leaving plenty defenders fanned out across the field so as the home side push it lateral a few too many times the green cover allows Lowe to push up, intercept and gallop in from 60 metres.

A big year for Irish rugby begins in Cardiff as Andy Farrell's side kick off their Guinness Six Nations campaign against Wales.

Having beaten New Zealand (twice), South Africa and Australia during the second half of 2022, Ireland travel to Wales seeking a sixth consecutive victory. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Wales v Ireland is live on Virgin Media One and BBC One. "His past record shows what he’s about in this competition. Follow our live blog of Wales v Ireland (Saturday 2.15pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1. "But there’s absolutely no doubt that Warren will expect his side to win… Maybe I’ll buy him a free shot after the game. I expect our side to win. Ireland 24-14 Wales – Aviva Stadium (8 February 2020, Six Nations) There will be some morning rain in Cardiff with temperatures of around 10C forecast for the afternoon. Ireland 29-7 Wales – Aviva Stadium (5 February 2022, Six Nations) Finlay Bealham replaces Furlong at tighthead in what will be his first Six Nations start.