Six Nations: Wales make three changes as Dan Edwards returns at fly-half with Nick Timoney included in Ireland team
Wales make three changes for Friday's game with Ireland in Dublin; Dan Edwards returns at fly-half; Wales on 14-game losing run in Six Nations and have not beaten Ireland since 2021
Wednesday 4 March 2026 14:43, UK
Wales have made three changes for Friday's game with Ireland in Dublin as they bid to end their 14-game losing streak in the Six Nations.
Fly-half Dan Edwards, who started the opening two games against England and France, comes in for the injured Sam Costelow.
Back-rower James Botham replaces the injured Taine Plumtree to make his first start in this season's tournament, with Alex Mann switching to blindside flanker to accommodate his Cardiff colleague, while Ellis Mee comes onto the wing for Gabriel Hamer-Webb, who made his Test debut in the narrow loss to Scotland.
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Head coach Steve Tandy said: "There are a couple of enforced changes this week due to injury and then Ellis had played well in the opening couple of rounds, so we feel he deserves the opportunity again.
"This week it's about backing up the performance against Scotland. Going away from home is a different type of environment for our group, but the focus for us is really improving on what we did last game.
"I thought the defence against Scotland was much improved so we definitely want to double down on that going to Ireland.
"You see how they keep the ball in possession, they play lots of passes so we know we're going to have to build and improve from the other week."
Scrum-half Tomos Williams will be alongside Edwards, with Joe Hawkins and Eddie James the centre pairing, while Josh Adams, Mee and full-back Louis Rees-Zammit make up the back three.
Aaron Wainwright has been passed fit to play at No 8 with Botham and Alex Mann the loose trio at the back of the scrum.
Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter are the lock pairing, and hooker Dewi Lake, who also captains the side, has props Rhys Carre and Tomas Francis either side of him.
Tandy could also hand a debut to 21-year-old Louie Hennessey, who plays for Bath, off the bench after he was named in the match-day 23.
"Louie was unfortunate not to get his opportunity in the autumn, but he's trained really well," Tandy said.
"He had a bit of a bump on his hand at the start of this campaign, but the way he's recovered and put in performances in the training environment has been very impressive."
Ireland have dominated recent meetings with Wales, winning eight of the last nine matches, with Wales having not won in Dublin since 2015.
Uncapped Doak on bench as Timoney gets first Six Nations start
Uncapped Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak could make his debut for Ireland after he was named on the bench for the game by Andy Farrell.
Team-mate Tom Stewart and Munster centre Tom Farrell could also get their first appearances in the competition after being named among the replacements.
Ulster's Nick Timoney has been selected for his first Six Nations start in the back row. The 30-year-old Ulster player replaces Josh van der Flier at openside flanker following impressive cameos in the opening defeat to France and subsequent victories over Italy and England.
Jack Conan, who was a late withdrawal from the bench ahead of the 42-21 bonus-point win at Twickenham on February 21 due to illness, is recalled at blindside flanker, while loosehead prop Tom O'Toole and hooker Ronan Kelleher also come into the forward pack.
Jamison Gibson-Park will win his 50th Test cap, while Jacob Stockdale has been recalled to the back three alongside Jamie Osborne and Robert Baloucoune after a difficult game against France on the opening night.
Stockdale replaces the injured James Lowe on the left wing in the only alteration to the backline, while Jeremy Loughman (calf) is unavailable for selection and Sam Prendergast has been left out of the matchday 23 for the second successive game.
Centre Bundee Aki is also absent, despite returning to camp after competing the four-match ban which ruled him out of the start of the championship.
Farrell said: "We have two special milestones in the squad this week at opposite ends of the scrum-half spectrum. I would firstly like to congratulate Nathan on his first international selection.
"Nathan has been around a few Ireland camps in recent years and has impressed with the consistency and quality of his play in training and with Ulster over a longer period.
"I know how much this means to Nathan and we are determined to make this a special few days for him and his family.
"Also, Jamison becomes the 61st Irish international to reach the 50-cap mark which is an incredible achievement for a top-class professional. I have no doubt that both players are excited to get out in front of a packed Aviva Stadium on Friday night."
Wales team to face Ireland
Starting XV: 15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Ben Carter, 6 Alex Mann, 7 James Botham, 8 Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Olly Cracknell, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Louie Hennessey.
Ireland team to face Wales
Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Tom O'Toole, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Caelan Doris (c)
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Michael Milne, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Tom Farrell, 23 Ciaran Frawley
