After weeks of negative headlines that have engulfed the sport, Wales face Ireland on Saturday in a fascinating Six Nations opening match.

Andy Farrell's Ireland won a series in New Zealand last summer and are the number one ranked side in the world.

Expectations are high that they can win a first Six Nations since 2018.

However, Ireland have not won in Cardiff in the Six Nations since 2013.

Team news

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.

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.

Commentator's notes

Andrew Cotter: 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.

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.

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.

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.

View from both camps

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "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.

"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."

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the stadium roof being closed: "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.

"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."

Line-ups

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, 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 Sheehan, 3-Finlay Bealham, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-Caelan Doris

Replacements: 16-Rob Herring, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Tom O'Toole, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Jack Conan, 21-Conor Murray, 22-Ross Byrne, 23-Bundee Aki

Match facts

Head-to-head

Wales

Ireland

Match officials

Referee: Karl Dickson (ENG)

Touch judges: Angus Gardner (AUS) & Luke Pearce (ENG)

TMO: Tom Foley (ENG)