David Brooks plays a delicious cross-field pass to Gareth Bale, who can't quite control it. Isco would have been proud of that ball.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Fantastic pressing from Wales straight from the start. I think that's how they will play tonight as they look to force Ireland into mistakes.

Great play by Ethan Ampadu to stop an Irish attack and set up one for Wales - but Aaron Ramsey can't find Gareth Bale with a through ball.

Image source, Reuters

The Irish are on the backfoot after about 10 seconds, Gareth Bale winning a throw-in off a visiting defender.

We are under way in Cardiff. It's Nations League time. Gareth Bale was giving himself a massage just before kick-off.

National anthems done. Are you ready?

Wales have only lost one of their last 11 competitive matches at the Cardiff City Stadium (W6 D4), but that came against the Republic in their most recent one

Since beating China 6-0 in Ryan Giggs’ first game in charge, Wales have gone two games without a goal

Five of Wales’ last eight goals in competitive home matches have been scored by Gareth Bale

Image source, .

Wales have not beaten the Republic of Ireland since a 1992 friendly and have never beaten them in a competitive game - two draws and two defeats.

The Republic have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven games against Wales, conceding just two goals.

Their eight clean sheets against Wales is their joint-most against any nation - level with Poland and Switzerland.

The Irish are unbeaten in their last seven away competitive matches (W3 D4), including the win in Cardiff in October.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Tonight's referee is Frenchman Clement Turpin, whose name should give headline writers ample ammunition should Wales or Republic of Ireland feel "robbed" by any contentious decisions.

The players are coming out onto the pitch now. There's nothing like a big Uefa Nations League fixture...

BBC Radio 5 live

Former Wales international Nathan Blake said: "There is a bit of resentment from some Wales fans about the decision to appoint Ryan Giggs, because he didn't play international friendlies, but he has got 64 caps and he has played well for his country.

"The atmosphere in the stadium is a bit subdued but it is starting to fill up and I would say there will be 20,000 inside the ground tonight. I think the majority of Wales fans will get behind Ryan because ultimately you want him to be successful, and the team to be successful."

If Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Muller are more your cup of tea than Callum Robinson and Chris Mepham, then follow live text of Germany v France here.

Both managers have been talking to Sky.

Ryan Giggs: "Ethan Ampadu is a talent. It'll be great for Wales fans to see him play. I'm looking forward to seeing him play. It's like when I was a player and you just want the game to start."

Martin O'Neill: "We're trying to go as strong as we can."

Republic of Ireland defender Ciaran Clark says they were devastated to miss out on the World Cup.

It is the first competitive game since losing to Denmark in the World Cup play-offs.

"The lads were watching the World Cup, deep down devastated that we weren't there," said Newcastle defender Clark.

"We want to have a good campaign now and reach a major tournament."

Matt: I still don't get the whole point of the Nations League - wouldn't it just be better to scrap the international breaks and host the qualifiers at the end of the seasons in the style of the Euros and World Cup?

Philip: I hope everybody’s got their Nations League wall-chart ready. I put mine up & inadvertently wallpapered the living room, the kitchen & 3/4s of the hall.

The Danish FA have reached an agreement with their players which means Denmark will put out their first team against Wales on Sunday.

BBC Sport explains the new Uefa Nations League competition, looking at the trophy available to the winners and the connection with Euro 2020 qualifying.

Conor McNamara
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

All eyes are on Gareth Bale and he just looks like a 'Galactico'.

The Republic of Ireland do not have big stars but Roy Keane is standing down there and he has become a bit of a sideshow. When you have players involved in bust-ups with the assistant coach, it doesn't bode well for the Irish team.

Danny Gabbidon
Former Wales defender on BBC Radio Wales

Ryan Giggs will be delighted to have Gareth Bale back firing and fit. He has started the season very well for Real Madrid, and when he is available, Wales look a different outfit.

Bale has scored in each of Real's opening three La Liga games