Wales welcome Ireland to Cardiff's Principality Stadium for the 2023 Six Nations opener this afternoon, and it's a match that's pretty impossible to call.
Ireland are ranked number one in the world while Wales are ninth: Andy Farrell's men are in rip-roaring form having won nine of their 11 Tests in 2022, while Wales managed just three from 12 and will be looking to banish memory of defeats to Italy and Georgia.
So, on paper, Ireland to nab it? A fair prediction.
But we haven't accounted for the Warren Gatland effect just yet. The returning Wales head coach, who replaces sacked Wayne Pivac, takes charge of his first Wales game since the 2019 World Cup, and will be bidding to pull off a shock win over the Irish.
His return has already put Wales players on edge in camp as they're so eager to impress the Kiwi, and his return will certainly be a welcome sight for Wales fans who had a dreary 2022 to put up with.
There's also the Cardiff effect: Ireland have not won in Cardiff in the Six Nations since 2013.
Whatever happens, it's set to be a fascinating encounter.
Wales v Ireland kicks off at 2.15pm and is being broadcast on BBC One and S4C.
Wales: 15-Liam Williams, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens (capt), 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Jac Morgan, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements:16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Alex Cuthbert.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton (capt), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan
Read more on walesonline.co.uk
walesonline.co.uk
