IRELAND head to Cardiff today knowing they have the recent edge over their hosts – November’s 32-9 win in the Autumn Nations Cup ensured Andy Farrell’s men have won all four matches between the two sides since Wales sealed their Grand Slam two years ago.
The Men in Green were 80 minutes away from winning last year’s Championship but defeat in Paris on Super Saturday meant a third-placed finish for Farrell’s side, who have since brought in double Grand Slam-winning captain Paul O’Connell to the coaching team.
Cian Healy reaches his Six Nations half century, Tadhg Beirne will hope to take his Munster form on to the international stage and the returns to fitness of Iain Henderson and Tadhg Furlong offer highclass reinforcements from the bench.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton, who first lined up together in this competition against Wales nine years ago, are the half-backs while Garry Ringrose is back to partner Robbie Henshaw in midfield as Ireland go in search of a first Championship win in Cardiff since 2013.
British and Irish Lions
My provisional British & Irish Lions Women’s squad for New Zealand tour
International Rugby
James Haskell slams ‘utter nonsense’ England overseas eligibility rule
Brendan Gallagher
Brendan Gallagher: Give Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne the VC he truly deserves
The best betting sites
