Ireland were welcomed to Cardiff on Sunday to face Wales in the launch of their Guinness Six Nations campaign, with kick off at 3pm.
Ireland, who twice comfortably beat their opponents in Dublin last year, travelled to the Principality Stadium having yet to record an away victory since the appointment of Andy Farrell.
Defeat to France in Paris ended Irish title hopes last year, while they also lost to defending champions England at Twickenham.
Wales are bidding to overcome their worst performance in the tournament in 13 years. The Welsh entered 2020 as Grand Slam champions, but finished fifth after losing four matches during a miserable start to the tenure of head coach Wayne Pivac.
Empty streets around the stadium prior to the Guinness Six Nations match at Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Photo: PA Images.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will collect a 96th cap after recovering from a hamstring problem to take part in a 12th Six Nations campaign.
Flanker Josh Van Der Flier replaced the injured Caelan Doris in a reshuffled Irish back row, while New Zealand-born wing James Lowe was recalled following a groin issue for his maiden appearance in the competition.
One of the biggest changes for the team this campaign is the introduction of former Ireland captain Paul O'Connell as the new forwards coach.
O'Connell will be without one of Ireland's star players Caelan Doris for the opener as well as Connacht forward Quinn Roux.
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac watches warm up prior to the Guinness Six Nations match at Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Photo: PA Images.
Wales coach Pivac has recalled flanker Dan Lydiate for his first cap since victory over Australia in November 2018, with the vastly-experienced Ken Owens returning at hooker.
With Liam Williams and Josh Adams suspended, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit will make a Six Nations debut, as will centre Johnny Williams.
Like every other Six Nations game it will be shown on Virgin Media One, with coverage starting at 2pm.
Line-ups for the match as are follows:
Ireland: 15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Keith Earls, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-James Lowe, 10-Johnny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray, 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rob Herring, 3-Andrew Porter, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-CJ Stander Replacements: 16-Ronan Kelleher, 17-Dave Kilcoyne, 18-Tadhg Furlong, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Will Connors, 21-Jamison Gibson-Park, 22-Billy Burns, 23-Jordan Larmour.
Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Louis Rees-Zammit, 13-George North, 12-Johnny Williams, 11-Hallam Amos, 10-Dan Biggar, 9-Tomos Williams, 1-Wyn Jones, 2-Ken Owens, 3-Tomas Francis, 4-Adam Beard, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Justin Tipuric, 8-Taulupe Faletau Replacements: 16-Elliot Dee, 17-Rhodri Jones, 18-Leon Brown, 19-Will Rowlands, 20-Josh Navidi, 21-Gareth Davies, 22-Callum Sheedy, 23-Nick Tompkins.
Referee: Wayne Barnes.
