Guinness Men’s Six Nations: Wales v Ireland

Dan Sheehan leads a much-changed Ireland team into battle against bottom side Wales, as round 3 of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations kicks off with an eagerly-awaited Celtic derby in Cardiff.

2025 GUINNESS MEN’S SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 3:

Saturday, February 22 –

WALES (6th) v IRELAND (1st), Principality Stadium, 2.15pm (live Virgin Media One/Virgin Media Play/BBC One/BBC iPlayer/RTÉ Radio 1/BBC Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds/BBC Radio 5 Live/IRFU Live Blog)

Opta Facts: Men’s Six Nations – Wales v Ireland

Team News: Following bonus point wins over England and Scotland, table toppers Ireland travel to the Welsh capital with interim head coach Simon Easterby making seven changes in personnel.

Dan Sheehan will lead the team for the first time, becoming the 111th Men’s player to captain Ireland in a Test match. He takes the reins from the injured Caelan Doris (knee), while also starting at hooker in place of Rónan Kelleher who has a neck issue.

Tighthead prop Thomas Clarkson will make his first international start, while his Leinster colleague, Jamie Osborne, comes in at full-back for his maiden Guinness Men’s Six Nations appearance.

22-year-old loosehead Jack Boyle is in line for his Ireland debut as a replacement, and the bench also includes two potential Six Nations newcomers in Gus McCarthy and Cian Prendergast, the older brother of out-half Sam.

The fit-again Mack Hansen joins Osborne and James Lowe in the back-three, and the rotation of the centres continues with Robbie Henshaw, winning his 80th cap for his country, lining out with Garry Ringrose in an all-Leinster pairing.

Sam Prendergast, the player-of-the-match in Edinburgh, and Jamison Gibson-Park have their fourth successive Test start together at half-back, with the front row made up of Andrew Porter, captain Sheehan, and Clarkson.

Joe McCarthy is back to full fitness to combine with Tadhg Beirne at lock, and the absence of Doris at number 8 is covered by Jack Conan, the scorer of Ireland’s bonus point try against Scotland. Peter O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier fill the flanker berths again.

Gus McCarthy, the uncapped Boyle, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, and Cian Prendergast are the forward replacements available to Easterby, with Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, and Bundee Aki the back-line reinforcements.

Speaking ahead of the clash at a packed-out Principality Stadium, Easterby said: “Playing Wales in Cardiff is one of the great tests and we know the challenge that awaits us.

“With a new coaching set-up in place, Wales will be re-energised and determined to impress in front of a vocal home support.

“There will also be a huge Irish travelling support which, when added to the closed roof and the great respect and rivalry between the two nations, will add to an electric atmosphere.”

He added: “We have made a few changes to the squad this week, some of which were enforced, and we’re confident that the 23 we have selected are primed and ready to go.

“Dan’s selection as captain is recognition of his high standing within the squad, both on and off the pitch. I have no doubt that he will relish the opportunity to lead Ireland for the first time.

“Equally, I would also like to congratulate Jack Boyle on his inclusion in the matchday squad for the first time. Jack has impressed for his province Leinster, and in the national training camps over the last number of months, and he’s a young forward with a bright future.”

In a significant move to support spectators and viewers with colour vision deficiency (CVD), Ireland will wear their new alternate white kit against Wales.

This decision, driven by new World Rugby regulations, aims to prevent kit clashes that can be problematic for those affected by CVD. Colour vision deficiency, commonly known as colour blindness, affects approximately one in 12 men and one in 200 women.

The traditional red jerseys of Wales and the green jerseys of Ireland create a challenging visual scenario for those with CVD, making it difficult to distinguish between the two teams on the pitch.

Meanwhile, for Matt Sherratt’s first match in temporary charge, he has handed Ellis Mee his first cap as the 21-year-old Scarlets winger becomes the 1211th Men’s international to represent Wales.

Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell will make his first start of the 2025 Championship, as one of eight changes to the team that lost 22-15 to Italy in Rome which was Warren Gatland’s last game at the helm.

Captain Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau complete the back row, while Sale Sharks’ WillGriff John is set for his Six Nations debut at tighthead prop. There are first starts of the campaign for Nicky Smith and Elliot Dee in the front row.

Dafydd Jenkins pairs up with Will Rowlands in the engine room, and Gareth Anscombe, one of the players called up by Sherratt this week, joins his Gloucester team-mate Tomos Williams at half-back to provide 100 caps of experience between them.

Cardiff’s Ben Thomas switches to centre where he partners Max Llewellyn, and debutant Mee, who starts in place of the injured Josh Adams, features in the back-three alongside Tom Rogers and full-back Blair Murray.

Jarrod Evans is named among the replacements and could make his first appearance for Wales since 2021. Rhodri Williams and Joe Roberts are the other replacement backs, and Evan Lloyd, Gareth Thomas, Henry Thomas, Teddy Williams, and Aaron Wainwright provide the forward cover.

Sherratt commented: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of facing Ireland. We have spoken this week about being brave, but not reckless and making sure everyone knows their roles.

“We also know that keeping our discipline will be huge. Everyone is excited for our first home game of the Six Nations.

“The atmosphere Wales fans create at the Principality Stadium is incredible, and playing at home is something the players really look forward to.”

Guinness Men’s Six Nations Table

WALES: Blair Murray (Scarlets); Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Max Llewellyn (Gloucester), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Ellis Mee (Scarlets); Gareth Anscombe (Gloucester), Tomos Williams (Gloucester); Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers), Elliot Dee (Dragons), WillGriff John (Sale Sharks), Will Rowlands (Racing 92), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs), Jac Morgan (Ospreys) (capt), Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers), Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff).

Replacements: Evan Lloyd (Cardiff), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Henry Thomas (Scarlets), Teddy Williams (Cardiff), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Joe Roberts (Scarlets).

IRELAND: Jamie Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster); Mack Hansen (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Garry Ringrose (UCD RFC/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers RFC/Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (UCD RFC/Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) (capt), Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne FC/Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Josh van der Flier (UCD RFC/Leinster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster), Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), James Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Cian Prendergast (UCD RFC/Connacht), Conor Murray (Garryowen FC/Munster), Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Bundee Aki (Galwegians RFC/Connacht).

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

Pre-Match Quotes: Dan Sheehan (Ireland) –

It is a massive honour (to be captain). When I think of the names on that list that went before me, and the last three I have experienced – Caelan, Pete (O’Mahony) and Johnny (Sexton) – have been role models for me, and to be put on the same list is a big deal.

“But I made a point to myself to not think about it too much. I am very comfortable in the group, and I have enjoyed the week.

“Obviously Wales have been on a losing run of late, but they are a passionate nation. We only got here yesterday (Thursday), and it’s everywhere. Everyone is still really behind the team, and they are a real passionate bunch of people.

“It is not in any way an easy fixture. If anything, it’s sort of knuckle down to basics and make sure we show up with the proper intent. Probably their game-plan is to come and try to physically dominate.

“We’ve been talking about that all week where we need to make sure we come out with proper intent, and from the first whistle that we are lashing into them.

“We have talked a small bit about how Cardiff play, which is a lovely attacking style of rugby with great flow, but we just need to focus on what we can control.”

Jac Morgan (Wales) –

It is a big motivation. Everyone is writing us off in a way, so it is an opportunity for us to be confident in ourselves, create an atmosphere within the group and perform to the best we can be and hopefully prove people wrong.

“We have had this game to concentrate on, so it has just been back to the training field and getting ready for this weekend.

“We have just spoken about sticking to what we’ve done this week. There are certain areas in which we’ve tried to improve and being smarter around the field.

“Every game is an opportunity. We are disappointed with the run (of defeats), but it is not through any lack of effort. We’ve to take the opportunities when they are there, but we also have to be smart.

“We are a team that always gives 100% effort, but we need to be a bit smarter as well. We know how tough Ireland are, and it is going to be a hell of a challenge, and we need to front up.”

Pre-Match Videos –

Recent Meetings –

2022: Guinness Men’s Six Nations: Ireland 29 Wales 7, Aviva Stadium

2023: Guinness Men’s Six Nations: Wales 10 Ireland 31, Principality Stadium

2024: Guinness Men’s Six Nations: Ireland 31 Wales 7, Aviva Stadium

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