Steve Tandy believes if Wales can replicate their performance against Scotland in Dublin they will give themselves a chance of beating Ireland. However, Ireland are firm favourites to overcome Wales on Friday night. Tandy has made three changes to his starting XV: Dan Edwards replacing Sam Costelow, James Botham for Taine Plumtree, and Ellis Mee starting on the wing.
Sam Costelow was injured and replaced by Dan Edwards. Wales and Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow has suffered a fresh setback weeks after seeing his Six Nations campaign wrecked by an ankle injury. Sam Costelow started in the 10 jersey against Scotland in Cardiff and delivered a fine performance, pulling the strings as a revitalised Welsh side ran their opponents close, but was forced off the pitch shortly before the hour mark at the Principality Stadium after injuring his ankle. He missed Wales' remaining games against Ireland and Italy in the Six Nations, and has been ruled out of the Scarlets' clash with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship on Friday after hurting his ankle again. Sam Costelow has not recovered from an ankle injury he sustained in the defeat to Scotland but could return in time for his country’s final match of the tournament against Italy. Sam Costelow’s absence could mean a swift return to the starting line-up for Dan Edwards, who was dropped against Scotland after playing in the previous seven matches. Jarrod Evans is also an option for Wales at fly-half.
Wales were beaten by Ireland 27-17 in Dublin. They beat Italy on the final weekend to end their Six Nations drought, having not won a Six Nations Test for three years before beating Italy. Wales had a 15-game losing streak in the Six Nations heading into the Italy match.
Rhys Carre scored a spectacular solo try against Ireland in Dublin, and his try inspired merchandise, including T-shirts designed by Dillon Lewis. Wales produced an impressive defensive performance against Ireland, making well over 200 tackles. Steve Tandy brought Rhys Carre back into the Wales team after he had been out of favour.
Andy Farrell named five Ulster players in Ireland's starting XV for the Wales match, the most in a Six Nations game during his tenure. Ireland's starting XV includes Jacob Stockdale replacing the injured James Lowe, and changes in the pack: Tom O'Toole, Ronan Kelleher, Jack Conan, and Nick Timoney. Karl Dickson is refereeing Ireland v Wales in Dublin, and he previously confused TV viewers with a controversial call at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Wales have had lock Rhys Davies and loose forward Taine Plumtree ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations tournament through injury. Dragons' uncapped utility forward Ryan Woodman has been called up as a replacement for Wales. Cardiff prop Keiron Assiratti, who was initially named in the Six Nations squad before being withdrawn through injury, has returned to the Wales squad.
Alex Mann set a Six Nations record by making 33 tackles against Ireland. Alex Mann and Dewi Lake are the only players to have been selected in all nine of Steve Tandy's XVs this season.
Lance Bradley insists he has not made any statements on the future of the Ospreys beyond 2027. However, Swansea Council accused Lance Bradley of confirming in a meeting that there would not be a professional regional Ospreys team playing at St Helens in the long term under plans for owners Y11 to buy Cardiff. A new joint plan between Swansea Council and the Ospreys to plough ahead with the redevelopment of St Helen's was announced, and St Helen's is set to become the home of the Ospreys from next season.
Prince William, patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, came into the changing room after the Italy game. An Irish podcast involving Andrew Trimble and Jamie Dornan derided Welsh rugby ahead of the Ireland-Wales match.
Senior England players gathered last Wednesday to pick apart the reasons for the successive emphatic losses which removed the team from title contention with two rounds still to play. Ben Earl will win his 50th cap for England against Italy in Rome on Saturday. England head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to ring the changes when he names his team for the Stadio Olimpico showdown on Tuesday afternoon.
Hookers Ryan Elias and Marnus van der Merwe are unavailable for the Scarlets as they go through concussion protocols.
Craig Bellamy showed a fiery temper as Wales head coach during a friendly against Northern Ireland.