{"id":5429,"date":"2023-02-03T11:17:17","date_gmt":"2023-02-03T11:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/six-nations-2023-wales-v-ireland-match-preview-team-news-key-stats\/"},"modified":"2023-02-03T11:17:18","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T11:17:18","slug":"six-nations-2023-wales-v-ireland-match-preview-team-news-key-stats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/six-nations-2023-wales-v-ireland-match-preview-team-news-key-stats\/","title":{"rendered":"Six Nations 2023: Wales v Ireland match preview, team news & key stats"},"content":{"rendered":"
Coverage: <\/strong>Watch live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and online from 13:15 GMT; listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Radio Ulster; text commentary on BBC Sport website and app.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
After weeks of negative headlines that have engulfed the sport, Wales face Ireland on Saturday in a fascinating Six Nations opening match. <\/span><\/p>\n
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The Welsh have turned to former head coach Warren Gatland to help them rediscover their form after winning just three of their 12 games in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Andy Farrell’s Ireland won a series in New Zealand last summer and are the number one ranked side in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n
But Gatland says his side will relish their underdog status.<\/span><\/p>\n
Team news<\/h3>\n
Wales full-back Liam Williams comes in as a late replacement for Leigh Halfpenny, who suffered a back spasm in training. Hooker Ken Owens captains his country for the first time on his 87th cap and is one of only two forwards not from the Ospreys. Centre Joe Hawkins makes his championship debut.<\/span><\/p>\n
Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been ruled out having been troubled by ankle and calf injuries and is replaced by Finlay Bealham. With Robbie Henshaw still out, centre Stuart McCloskey retains his place, with Bundee Aki named on the bench. Veteran captain Johnny Sexton is fit after fracturing his cheekbone on New Year’s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n
Commentator’s notes<\/h3>\n
Andrew Cotter: <\/strong>How big is the Warren effect? We’ll get a reliable indicator since this Wales team is almost the same 15 that started for Wayne Pivac in the dramatic defeat against Australia in November. <\/span><\/p>\n
Faith remains in some great players who are deep into their thirties, such as Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, but mixed in with the next generation in centre Joe Hawkins, wing Rio Dyer and the outstanding flanker Jac Morgan. <\/span><\/p>\n
Ireland are certainly favourites. They are ranked the best in the world, built upon a Leinster side who are sweeping all before them this season. <\/span><\/p>\n
And yet… Tadhg Furlong is a big miss at tight-head prop and this fixture in the Six Nations hasn’t been won by the away side in 10 years. There is reason enough for Ireland to doubt and Wales to hope.<\/span><\/p>\n
View from both camps<\/h3>\n
Wales head coach Warren Gatland: <\/strong>“The way that these guys have been this week, I am confident that they’ll go out there and demonstrate how much it means for them to put their red jersey on and how much it means for them to play for Wales.<\/span><\/p>\n
“I think it’s important we go out there and give a performance. I’m comfortable with losing if we get beaten by a better side.”<\/span><\/p>\n
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the stadium roof being closed: <\/strong>“It’s a fantastic stadium. We’ve been there before when it’s closed and there’s no atmosphere like it. It’s fantastic. It can only be good for us.<\/span><\/p>\n
“We have to agree with the roof being closed. We wanted it closed as well to sample the atmosphere and keep progressing on our journey.”<\/span><\/p>\n