Six Nations - Wales v Ireland: All you need to know

A big year for Irish rugby begins in Cardiff on Saturday as Andy Farrell's side kick off the 2023 Guinness Six Nations against Wales.

Ireland are strong favourites to get their campaign off to a winning start but they have tasted defeat on their last four Six Nations visits to the Principality Stadium, and there is a familiar face back in the Wales coaching box.

Warren Gatland has returned for a second stint as Wales head coach and the last of his three Grand Slam successes was sealed with a one-sided victory over Ireland in 2019.

Gatland has been tasked with transforming a struggling Welsh side that suffered home defeats to Italy and Georgia during a dreadful 2022, where they lost nine of their 12 matches and sacked Wayne Pivac.

One of those reverses came in Dublin on the opening weekend of last year’s Six Nations as Ireland cantered to a 29-7 victory, tries from Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose sandwiching a brace from Andrew Conway.

Ireland finished second in last year's championship behind Grand Slam-winning France but they did claim the Triple Crown for a record sixth time since 2000. They were also the last team to win back-to-back Triple Crowns in 2006 and 2007.

Having beaten New Zealand (twice), South Africa and Australia during the second half of 2022, Ireland travel to Wales seeking a sixth consecutive victory. And with defending champions France visiting Dublin next weekend, they need to hit the ground running as they bid to win their first Six Nations title since 2018.

Who's ready for the Six Nations?