Tom Brown
BBC Sport Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium

The attendance may not come close to the record 15,000 who were here for Wales's last home match.

But that was a crucial World Cup play-off match.

Tonight's friendly against Northern Ireland is still generating a fair bit of excitement, as fans lined the fence to welcome the players to the stadium.

Image source, BBC Sport Wales

Image source, BBC Sport Wales

Image source, BBC Sport Wales

Captain Marissa Callaghan says Northern Ireland have "the freedom to go out and express ourselves" in Thursday's friendly against Wales in Cardiff.

The game will be her side's first fixture since November's 1-0 friendly victory over Italy at Seaview.

It was also be their first under interim manager Andy Waterworth.

"They [Wales] are a very different team to what they were a few years ago," said Callaghan. "But for us it is just about going out and playing our way."

Wales are ranked 31st in Fifa's world rankings, 14 places above Northern Ireland in 45th.

"Andy is going to give us a lot of freedom to go out and express ourselves," added Callaghan.

Read more: NI captain Marissa Callaghan says they will 'express themselves' against Wales

Katie Sherwood
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Two Wales

There is a lot of history between the two teams but they are also both much improved teams since 2019.

Wales manager Gemma Grainger says she will talk to players to see if they want to change the colour of their shorts because of period concerns.

Wales played in white shorts during their most recent internationals.

England have decided to switch to blue for the forthcoming World Cup finals after feedback from players.

"We haven't had that conversation yet with our group and that is something we will do. As manager I want to listen to the players," Grainger said.

"I want them to be comfortable, because from a performance perspective, with what I demand from them, that is key.

"We haven't had those discussions yet, but we will. But for me my focus with the discussions is very listening the players' needs and making sure they are comfortable."

Grainger added that she is confident whatever the players decide will be implemented by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

Wales' stance is similar to Scotland, who are also discussing the issue, while the Republic of Ireland squad has chosen to stick with white.

Captain Sophie Ingle says it is important a collective decision is made.

"We do need to discuss it as a team, I think the first few days in camp are very busy for us and we are focusing on the game, but yeah, we have to look away from the training pitch sometimes and see what is going to work for us as a team," she said.

"I don't know until I speak to the whole squad how everyone is going to feel about it. I think it is going to be a very individual-based feeling.

"I think we can discuss it and then I am sure the FAW will be very supportive, whatever our decision is over white shorts."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the Cardiff City Stadium

It may not be a new era, but it's certainly a fresh start.

After Kenny Shiels' reign came to an end in the new year, Andy Waterworth has been handed the manager's job for one night only.

The new era for Northern Ireland cannot begin until a permanent boss is named, but Waterworth has thrown a few surprises into his team selection.

Shannon Turner has been given the nod in goal after Jackie Burns was ruled out with an Achilles injury, but he has rewarded the form of Ellie Mason and Megan Bell, who are both named from the start.

Rachel Furness made the headlines when she was named in the squad for her international return, but the Bristol City midfielder will have to settle for a place on the bench.

It will be interesting to see exactly how they line up with no out-and-out striker on the pitch.

Northern Ireland's record goalscorer Rachel Furness could make her international return tonight from the bench.

Attacking midfielder Furness, 34, stepped away from Northern Ireland duty in August for personal reasons.

Also returning is Rangers midfielder Megan Bell, who missed last summer's Euros because of a hamstring injury.

Julie Nelson is unable to play because of a knee injury, but is part of Andy Waterworth's coaching staff for the friendly.

After playing a key role in Northern Ireland's qualification for Euro 2022, Furness, who has scored 38 goals in 85 appearances, announced she was stepping back from international football for the "foreseeable future".

The midfielder, who has since moved to Bristol City from Liverpool, added she had not retired and hoped to return to the set-up in the future.

Image source, Press Eye

Wales international Ffion Morgan says she is still starstruck by Wales team-mate Jess Fishlock.

Fishlock, Wales' most-capped footballer, has scored 35 goals in 139 international appearances having made her debut against Switzerland in 2006.

Fishlock also became the first player to score in every season of the National Women's Soccer League when she netted against NJ/NY Gotham FC last week.

Image source, Pacemaker

Andy Waterworth, the Irish FA's head of elite player development, will manage Northern Ireland women in tonight's friendly with Wales.

IFA technical director and newly appointed assistant coach to the men's senior team, Aaron Hughes, will also be part of the coaching team, as is former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

Northern Ireland have been without a manager since parting ways with Kenny Shiels in February.

It is understood that neither Waterworth, Hughes or Carroll are in contention for the job full-time and this is an interim appointment.

Northern Ireland have not been in action since November, when the beat Italy 1-0 in a friendly which proved to be Shiels' last game in charge.

Wales have appointed Swansea City Under-21 boss Jon Grey as assistant manager to Gemma Grainger.

Grey, 45, who has worked in Swansea's academy since 2009, becomes the first full-time assistant in the history of Wales' women's national team.

Richard Thomas left Grainger's staff for Colchester last year, while Matty Jones had been involved but is now Wales Under-21 men's boss.

Grainger described Grey's appointment as a "huge positive" for her team.

"We want to qualify for the European Championship, we want to leave no stone unturned," the Wales manager said.

"Ultimately increasing my team and support that we have was going to be a key part of that."

Read more: Wales appoint Swansea City U21 boss Jon Grey as first full-time assistant

Image source, FAW

With Jackie Burns out injured, Andy Waterworth hands Wolves goalkeeper Shannon Turner a debut in Cardiff.

Turner came into the squad for the Euros in the summer and is yet to make an appearance, but tonight she makes her first start.

Megan Bell is straight into midfield as she makes her international return from long-term injury, and Kelsie Burrows is named at centre back in place of injured Julie Nelson.

Ellie Mason has been rewarded for her fine form with Lewes and is handed the striker's jersey and will be flanked by Reading's Lauren Wade and Glentoran's Caragh Hamilton.

Rachel Furness, back in the squad after stepping back for personal reasons in August, will have to wait to make her return from the bench.

Northern Ireland: Turner, McKenna, McFadden, Burrows, Vance, Caldwell, Bell, Callaghan (capt), Wade, Hamilton, Mason.

Subs: Harvey-Clifford, Woods, C McGuinness, Rafferty, McCarron, Furness, K McGuinness, Holloway, Wilson, Andrews, Beattie, Magee

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, FAW

Wales are without a few regular starters for tonight's game with Kayleigh Green, Carrie Jones and Lily Woodham all missing out through injury.

That means Leicester's Hannah Cain is given a chance in a fluid front three with Ceri Holland and Rachel Rowe.

Woodham's injury gives a chance to the recalled Esther Morgan who has recovered from injury, while Olivia Clark gets the nod in goal ahead of Laura O'Sullivan.

Wales: Clark, Roberts, E Morgan, Ladd, Evans; James, Ingle, Fishlock; Holland, Cain, Rowe

Subs: O'Sullivan, Middleton-Patel, Williams, Green, Walters, Hughes, Estcourt, Powell, Wynne, Griffiths, Filbey, F Morgan

Good evening!

Welcome to the Welsh capital as we bring you live coverage of this international friendly match between Wales and Northern Ireland.

There is certainly some history to this fixture, with Northern Ireland qualifying for Euro 2022 at Wales' expense, thanks in large part to a last-gasp 2-2 draw secured the last time they crossed the Irish Sea to visit south Wales.

Wales have perhaps enjoyed a slightly steadier progress up the world rankings since then, but today represents a good chance for both sides to make a point about their potential heading into first the Nations League and then 2025 Euro qualifying.

There is lots to talk about before kick-off, but I know you and you know me and we all know what I'm going to say next, with around 30 minutes until kick-off...

Say the line... Go on... Let's have a look at those teams, shall we?

Image source, Wales and Northern Ireland drew 2-2 in their last meeting in Wales, played at Newport's Rodney Parade