After an impressive opening weekend victory for the reigning champions, Ireland vs Wales has the potential to provide fireworks on Leeside this evening.
Italy left Wales with plenty to ponder last Friday night when beating their hosts 17-7, leaving the Welsh with a lot to prove ahead of their trip to Cork where it's looking like it's going to be fairly blustery. Ireland, meanwhile, began the tournament on the front foot, overcoming Scotland 38-26.
When the sides met last year in the final round of the 2019 tournament, Ireland pounced late to secure the Grand Slam with a 27-17 win. However, Ireland didn't have it all their own way and they can expect more of the same tonight. The game kicks off in Cork at 7.15pm.
Following last week's win, Noel McNamara has made two changes with Ben Moxham and Marcus Hannon coming into the team in place of the injured Ethan McIlroy and Charlie Ward respectively.
The Ireland squad for tonight's game is as follows:
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
14. Ethan McIlroy (Methody College/Queen’s University RFC/Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar/Loughborough University/IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC/Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School/Malone RFC/Ulster)
1. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
4. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
5. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC/Shannon RFC/Munster)
6. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
7. Mark Hernan (St. Michael’s College/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (capt)
Replacements:
16. John McKee (Campbell College/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
17. Ciaran Ryan (Rockwell College/Cashel RFC/Munster)
18. Ryan McMahon (Clongowes Wood College/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
20. Alexis Soroka (Belvedere College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
23. Luis Faria (Newpark Comprehensive/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
