Wales sit bottom of the Six Nations table again amid a record, miserable 14-match losing Test run and have it all to do to avoid getting stuck with a second successive wooden spoon.
In charge: Cardiff Blues coach Matt Sherratt will lead Wales for the remainder of the Six Nations
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Date, kick-off time and venue
Wales vs Ireland is scheduled for a 2:15pm GMT kick-off time on Saturday February 22, 2025.
The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales will host the match.
Where to watch Wales vs Ireland
TV channel: The game will be broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One and S4C.
Live stream: The BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and S4C Online will all show the game for free online.
Wales vs Ireland team news
Sherratt makes nine changes from Gatland’s last game in charge, with veteran fly-half Gareth Anscombe coming straight in as Ben Thomas moves to centre in partnership with the returning Max Llewellyn.
English-born Scarlets wing Ellis Mee earns his first cap from the start in place of the injured Josh Adams, while Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John form a new front row.
Lock Dafydd Jenkins is back from illness and captain Jac Morgan moves to blindside flanker as Tommy Reffell starts in the back row.
New leader: Hooker Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland with Caelan Doris injured
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Ireland have made seven changes as Dan Sheehan comes in at hooker and takes the captain’s armband in the absence of Caelan Doris, who is replaced at No8 by Jack Conan.
Tom Clarkson makes his first Test start at tighthead prop, with the uncapped Jack Boyle to make his debut off the bench.
Joe McCarthy is back in the second row, while Hugo Keenan is replaced by Jamie Osborne at full-back. Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose both return, with Bundee Aki on the bench and Calvin Nash dropping out. Fly-half Sam Prendergast’s brother Cian is among the replacements.
Ireland XV: Osborne; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan (c), Clarkson; McCarthy, Beirne; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Conan
Replacements: McCarthy, Boyle, Bealham, Ryan, C Prendergast, Murray, Crowley, Aki
Wales XV: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Mee; Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Smith, Dee, John; Rowlands, D Jenkins; Morgan (c), Reffell, Faletau
Replacements: E Lloyd, G Thomas, H Thomas, Teddy Williams, Wainwright, R Williams, J Evans, J Roberts
Wales vs Ireland prediction
Wales are truly up against it here. It’ll be fascinating to see what happens in the post-Gatland era but the Irish look heavy favourites for another commanding victory in Cardiff, despite their changes.
Ireland to win by 20 points.
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
