Ireland v Wales team news amid flurry of changes as sides to unleash debutants | Wales Online
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Ireland welcome Wales to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for a Friday night instalment of Six Nations action
Ellis Mee during Wales training(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Ireland v Wales Six Nations team news ahead of Aviva Stadium clash
Steve Tandy has made three changes to the starting Wales XV to face Ireland, bringing in Ellis Mee, Dan Edwards, and James Botham. Bath centre Louie Hennessey is also set to make his international debut after being named on the bench.
Fly-half Dan Edwards is replacing the injured Sam Costelow, who is expected to be fit to return against Italy next week. On the wing, Ellis Mee steps in for Gabriel Hamer-Webb to join Josh Adams and Louis Rees-Zammit in the back three.
In the Welsh back row, James Botham earns a start at openside flanker following a strong performance against Scotland. Consequently, Alex Mann shifts to blindside flanker, while a fit-again Aaron Wainwright starts at number eight.
Head coach Steve Tandy emphasised the importance of building on the improved defensive display Wales showed during their recent narrow loss to Scotland. He acknowledged that playing away in Dublin will require his squad to be sharp against Ireland’s possession-heavy passing style.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made five changes to his side for the Friday night clash against a winless Welsh team. One notable omission is Lions star Bundee Aki, who has been completely left out of the matchday squad despite recently returning from a ban.
In the Irish backline, Jacob Stockdale replaces the injured James Lowe on the left wing. This marks the only change behind the scrum, as players like full-back Jamie Osborne and centre Garry Ringrose retain their starting spots.
The Irish pack sees more rotation, with Nick Timoney earning his first Six Nations start in the back row alongside Jack Conan and captain Caelan Doris. Additionally, Tom O’Toole and Ronan Kelleher have been brought into the starting front row to partner Tadhg Furlong.
Uncapped scrum-half Nathan Doak has been named among the replacements, putting him in position to make his senior international debut for Ireland. Meanwhile, starting scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is preparing to celebrate his milestone 50th international cap during the match.
Ireland XV: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey; Jacob Stockdale; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Caelan Doris (capt). Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Nathan Doak, Tom Farrell, Ciaran Frawley.
Wales XV: Louis Rees-Zammit; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Tomas Francis, Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Alex Mann, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Louie Hennessey.
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