Wales’ third game of the 2025 Six Nations Championship will see them face Ireland at the Principality Stadium.

Wales are enduring a miserable campaign, which began with a record 43-0 defeat in the Six Nations opener against France before another loss in Rome.

After a record 14 successive Test match defeats, Warren Gatland is set to leave as head coach. Gatland is contracted until the 2027 World Cup but was already in line to depart at the end of the Six Nations.

He is now set to leave during the tournament with three games remaining with Wales looking for an interim coach.

Meanwhile, defending champions Ireland kept their Grand Slam hopes firmly on track with an 11th victory in a row over Scotland at Murrayfield. They are bidding to become the first country to win three consecutive Six Nations title.

But their quest for history will take place in the absence of head coach Andy Farrell – who has temporarily stepped aside as he prepares to lead the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.

When is Wales v Ireland?

Wales host Ireland on Saturday, February 22. The match will kick-off at 2.15pm (GMT).

Also on the schedule for the third weekend of the Six Nations is England v Scotland at 4:45pm on the Saturday and Italy v France at 3pm on Sunday.

Where is Wales v Ireland taking place?

The Millennium Stadium, officially called the Principality Stadium since 2016 following a sponsorship deal. With a capacity of 73,931, it is the largest stadium in Wales and fourth largest in the United Kingdom.

Construction of the stadium began in 1997 and it was completed in 1999 at a total cost of £114 million. The first match played there was a friendly between Wales and South Africa. The stadium has a fully retractable roof which can be opened in 20 minutes.

Will the roof be closed for the match?

Yes, Wales will play all their international fixtures with the roof closed for the next two years. It follows a change of protocol agreed with the Six Nations who previously required both teams to agree for the roof to be closed.

The WRU has stated that being able to close the retractable roof will guarantee conditions, maintain consistency for players and improve the fan experience.

How to watch Wales v Ireland on TV

It will be on the BBC. The BBC and ITV will once again share coverage of the Six Nations in the UK.

Alternatively, you can bookmark this page and follow Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of the game.

Who are the officials?

Referee: Christophe Ridley (ENG) 
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (GEO) and Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA) 
TMO: Ian Tempest (ENG) 
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (ITA)

What is the Wales team news?

Gatland’s squad features two uncapped players in wing Ellis Mee and fly-half Dan Edwards, but it is arguably more about the players who are absent. While Gatland has welcomed back experienced trio Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau, injuries have ruled out Dewi Lake, Adam Beard, Ryan Elias, Archie Griffin and Mason Grady.

Wales squad

Forwards: Gareth Thomas, Nicky Smith, Kemsley Mathias, Keiron Assiratti, Henry Thomas, WillGriff John, Elliot Dee, Evan Lloyd, Sam Parry, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Freddie Thomas, Christ Tshiunza, Teddy Williams, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright, Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan (capt), Tommy Reffell.

Backs: Tomos Williams, Ellis Bevan, Rhodri Williams, Ben Thomas, Dan Edwards, Eddie James, Nick Tompkins, Joe Roberts, Owen Watkin, Tom Rogers, Josh Hathaway, Ellis Mee, Blair Murray, Josh Adams, Liam Williams.

What is the Ireland team news?

There is an air of familiarity to the 36 players that interim coach Simon Easterby has selected. The only uncapped player in the squad is Leinster prop Jack Boyle. Newcomers James McNabney, Ben Murphy, Cathal Forde and Hugh Conney have been brought in as development players. Centurions Cian Healy and Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Bundee Aki are all in contention.

Ireland squad

Forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (c), Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Cormac Izuchukwu, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringros

What is Gatland saying?

Gatland has warned that people should write Wales off at their peril in this season’s Six Nations, despite the team being on a record losing streak.

“For us, the challenge was that after the World Cup we lost 18 players and so much experience,” said Gatland, speaking at the Six Nations media launch in Rome. “You pick youngsters, and it takes a little bit of time. Some of the youngsters, seeing them develop is going to be a real positive.

“We are in a nice position because there is no expectation. People are writing us off. And I said the same thing before the World Cup [Wales were quarter-finalists]. A lot of people were saying that we wouldn’t even get out of our group.

“The message that time was you write us off at your peril, and things haven’t changed there. This is such a tough tournament to win. It is so hard. When you look back and you have won a Six Nations or a Grand Slam, there will be a couple of decisions that have gone your way, the bounce of the ball or you’ve had some luck in the tournament.”

What is Easterby saying?

Ireland’s interim head coach believes his side will embrace expectation as they seek an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations title.

“It would be incredibly special, it has never been done but that’s for a reason, it’s incredibly hard to do. We know there’s a lot of work prior to us even thinking about it.

“Momentum is a huge thing in the competition and if you get off to a good start then you go some way to achieving that goal.

“We understand that if we’re being chased down, it’s because we’ve set some good standards, but we also have to keep moving and keep evolving as a team.

“If we want to win this competition we have to stay in front of five very good teams.”

When did Wales and Ireland last win the Six Nations?

Ireland last won the Six Nations in 2024, with Wales last claiming the title in 2021. Ireland’s last Grand Slam was in 2023 and Wales’ was in 2019. Ireland’s last Triple Crown was in 2023 – Wales’ was in 2021.

What was the score last year?

Ireland scored four tries as they secured a 31-7 bonus point victory over Wales in Dublin. Dan Sheehan’s opening try and a James Lowe score had the hosts 17-0 up after a dominant first-half display.

Gatland’s men responded in the second half and were awarded a penalty try after Tadhg Beirne illegally brought down a maul, but Ciaran Frawley eased home nerves before Beirne secured the bonus point to seal victory.

What are the latest odds?

• Wales to win Six Nations: 1000/1

• Ireland to win Six Nations: 8/15