Ireland and Wales will collide at Principality Stadium on Saturday in the opening game of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
Warren Gatland has named his first starting XV back as Wales’ head coach, but he will need all his managerial skill to navigate a challenging first game against the world’s number-one ranked side.
Andy Farrell’s team recorded an impressive 29-7 win when these two giants of the northern hemisphere met at Aviva Stadium last year.
But Gatland could make all the difference when he and Rugby’s Greatest Championship return this weekend.
The teams are out, so let’s look at the players these two iconic coaches have called upon for this crucial clash.
HOW TO WATCH
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2.15pm and viewers in the UK can catch all the action on BBC One, with build-up beginning at 1.15pm.
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Fans in Ireland can tune into Virgin Media One where coverage will start at 1pm.
WALES TEAM NEWS
Gatland has called on some familiar faces for his first game back.
Leigh Halfpenny was set to make his first Wales start for 19 months, but a late injury withdrawal means Liam Williams will play at full-back.
Another favourite from the Kiwi’s first stint in charge, Josh Adams will start on the right wing, with Rio Dyer in line to win his fourth cap on the left.
Wales’ most-capped men’s international back George North will partner the prodigious Joe Hawkins in the centres, while Dan Biggar and Tomos Williams will form the half-back pairing.
In the forwards, Gareth Thomas will play his first game under Gatland in the front row alongside the experienced pair of captain Ken Owens and Tomas Francis.
Alun Wyn Jones and Adam Beard complete the tight five, while the back row is comprised of Jac Morgan at blindside flanker, Justin Tipuric at openside flanker and Taulupe Faletau at No.8.
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IRELAND TEAM NEWS
Ireland’s first XV of the new year sees Finlay Bealham make his first Guinness Six Nations start in the front row.
He is in for Tadhg Furlong, who has been suffering from ankle and calf injuries in recent weeks.
Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan complete the front row, with Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan named in the engine room.
Peter O’Mahony is set to win his 90th cap at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier will start at openside, and Caelan Doris is at No.8.
In the backs, Johnny Sexton will captain Ireland, partnering scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose will reprise their roles from the 13-10 win over Australia in Ireland’s final game of the Autumn Nations Series in the centres.
Hugo Keenan will start at full-back while Mack Hansen and James Lowe are named on the wings.
Wales team to face Ireland: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams; 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens (c), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Jac Morgan, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: 16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Alex Cuthbert
Ireland team to face Wales: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (c), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Finlay Bealham, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16. Rob Herring, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Tom O’Toole, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Ross Byrne, 23. Bundee Aki
