The top two from this year’s Six Nations do battle on the final day of the 2019 championship, with whispers abounding that the Principality Stadium may well have a decider on its hands.
The old rivals have have a long and storied relationship stretching back across their 126 meetings, with Wales edging the head-to-head standings thanks to 68 wins compared to Ireland’s 51.
Two-thirds of the Six Nations’ three most prolific sides – only Scotland can match their record of having competed at 124 Home Nations, Five Nations or Six Nations tournaments – this is a match-up enriched with pain, glory and history.
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS
Despite Ireland’s Grand Slam title earlier this year, the last time these sides met at the Principality Stadium saw Wales gain the upper hand.
Two tries from George North set the hosts on their way to a 22-9 win in round four of the 2017 championship, all but spoiling Ireland’s tilt at the title in the process.
And the Cardiff ground has been blessed with some real crackers down the years, hosting 11 fixtures in the tournament since the first in 2001.
The hosts will fondly remember their last-day 32-20 triumph back in 2005 when they sealed the Grand Slam, chalking up a first home win over Ireland since 1983 in the process.
Tries from Gethin Jenkins and Kevin Morgan sent the home faithful into raptures as they celebrated Wales’ 27-year wait for an unblemished Six Nations campaign.
But Ireland got their revenge four years later when the unflinching Ronan O’Gara kicked one of rugby’s most famous drop goals, as they went one better to break a 61-year Grand Slam drought.
It was a moment that will be forever etched in Guinness Six Nations history, soundtracked by the now exalted utterance of RTE commentator Ryle Nugent: ‘drop at goal; Grand Slam at stake’ – a phrase that sends shivers down the spine of any Irish rugby fan.
THE CAPITAL
From the waterfront to the spectacular city centre, there is so much to do in Wales’ capital aside from watching rugby.
The Millennium Centre – a 2,500-capacity venue that host massive bands, comedians and touring theatre shows – certainly competes with the Principality Stadium for the city’s most iconic attraction.
In addition, there are few places better to shop than in Cardiff’s Victorian arcades. These corridors meander through the city centre, crammed with family-run cafes, independent bookstores, boutique shops and hidden tea houses.
And no visit to Cardiff would be complete without a tour around the castle – which dates back to 55 AD.
THE VENUE
If you’re visiting the Principality Stadium for the first time, you’ll be pleased to know that it is located right in centre of Cardiff next to the Taff River.
Central Cardiff Station is a five-minute walk from the ground, and you can even see it coming out of the station. With fans and signs everywhere, the venue is impossible to miss.
As for the stadium itself, the atmosphere in the 74,500-seater is sure to be electric for this hotly-anticipated encounter between the cross-border rivals.
