The national anthems are in full flow, the wind is swirling and battle is about to commence. We're almost ready for the off. . .

And here they come. Paul O'Connell leads his Ireland team into a wall of sound with fireworks and flames adding a touch of showbiz to proceedings. Here's a reminder of the players who made the cut:

Ireland: 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Dave Kearney, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Devin Toner, 5-Paul O'Connell (capt), 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Chris Henry, 8-Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements : 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Jack McGrath, 18-Martin Moore, 19-Dan Tuohy, 20-Tommy O'Donnell, 21-Isaac Boss, 22-Paddy Jackson, 23-Fergus McFadden.

Wales: 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Scott Williams, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Richard Hibbard, 3-Adam Jones, 4-Andrew Coombs, 5-Alun Wyn Jones, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton (capt), 8-Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16-Ken Owens, 17-Paul James, 18-Rhodri Jones, 19-Jake Ball, 20-Justin Tipuric, 21-Rhys Webb, 22-James Hook, 23-Liam Williams.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

"Both these sides raise their games against the better sides and I think both will raise their games from last week."

Jon Roberts:, external Looking forward to watching Brian O'Driscoll make his 130th appearance - incredible. I still reckon Wales will win it though.

Aonghus O'Flaherty:, external The momentum behind this Irish team at the moment shows what a the great job Joe Schmidt is doing, especially given the injuries.

He proudly wears the green shirt of Ireland. Now vice-captain Jamie Heaslip admits he is green with envy of Wales' highly impressive Six Nations record. The Irish claimed the Grand Slam in 2009, their sole tournament victory since five nations became six in 2000.

However, Wales have won the Six Nations three times in the last six attempts. "I wouldn't say frustration: you'd be jealous," said Heaslip of Wales' record. "I've lost count of how many Six Nations medals those lads have."

RBS 6 Nations:, external Wales' only defeat in their last 11 Six Nations matches came against Ireland last year.

RBS 6 Nations:, external Ireland have taken victory in five of their last seven Six Nations matches against Wales on home soil.

RBS 6 Nations:, external Ireland's 30-22 victory in Cardiff in the 2013 Six Nations ended a run of three consecutive defeats to Wales.

Rhys Priestland believes Wales' defensive abilities will be tested to the full. Wales conceded three tries to Ireland in the opening game of the 2013 tournament. But following that Wales achieved defensive shut-outs in the next four games against France, Italy, Scotland and England to lift the title.

Scarlets fly-half Priestland says: "Defensively, we are going to have to be at our best. It will be a massive test, defensively, to keep them quiet. We need to improve with the ball in hand from last week, but defences win you championships."

Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

"It's too early for a championship decider but the level of expectation is absolutely phenomenal. There's huge pressure, huge intensity."

Connor Bowen: , externalWales v Ireland could define the tournament - the winners will be the Championship favourites.

Adam Woodrow:, external It's going to be a close, hard game. What a huge game!

Laura:, external Give over about Brian O'Driscoll being dropped by Warren Gatland. Boring! Talk about the game in hand.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

"It's going to be massive today and it's very difficult to pick a winner."

There's been a lot of chat in the build-up to the game about the decision of Wales boss Warren Gatland, when he was in charge of the Lions during the summer, to drop Ireland icon Brian 'Odriscoll for the final Test against Australia.

Asked about that on BBC One former Ireland hooker Keith Wood said: "The Lions won. I think there's a right way and a wrong way of doing things but that's in the past - what's relevant is there's a big match ahead of us."

Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies said of the selection call: "That was the summer, what's done is done. Today is a massive game and has been for the last 10 years - it doesn't need extra spice."

Image source, Getty Images

He has a long way to go before he catches Cardiff team-mate Gethin Jenkins, who wins his 102nd cap, but full-back Leigh Halfpenny, at 25 years and 48 days, becomes the youngest Wales international to reach 50 today, beating the previous record held by Dwayne Peel. Prop Paul James will also hit that landmark if he makes an appearance off the replacements' bench.

OptaJonny:, external Wales have won their last five away games in this tournament; their best ever run in this competition (4/5/6 nations). France are the only side to ever win six back-to-back away games in the tournament (2003-2005).

OptaJonny:, external Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll has scored seven tries against Wales, only against France (8) has he scored more. Only two players have scored more tries against Wales than this (John Kirwan and Ian Smith, both 8).

OptaJonny:, external Three of Paul O'Connell's six international tries have come against Wales. The Ireland captain has faced the Welsh on 11 occasions.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at the Aviva Stadium

"There was much scare-mongering in the hostelries of Dublin last night regarding the weather but it is rather nice this afternoon. That being the case, we might have a good game of running rugby rather than a communal shower at the Aviva."

Over in Dublin the atmosphere is building, the Aviva Stadium is filling and last minute preparations are being made in both camps ahead of the fourth fixture of the 2014 Six Nations. Let's remind ourselves of the key team news.

As well as welcoming back captain Paul O'Connell, the hosts have centre Gordon D'Arcy in the side. Munster second row O'Connell, 34, missed the win over Scotland with a chest infection but comes in for Dan Tuohy. D'Arcy, one of eight Leinster players in the starting line-up, replaces Ulster's Luke Marshall at inside centre.

Cardiff's Sam Warburton leads Wales, with Ospreys' Justin Tipuric dropping to the bench. Prop Gethin Jenkins takes over at loose-head, with Andrew Coombs replacing Luke Charteris at lock.

But today would be nothing without contributions from your good selves so send your chit-chat in this direction either via Twitter using the hashtag #bbcrugby, external or by texting 81111. And, there's more, because you can always visit BBC Sport's Facebook, external page if that's your thing.

Does Warren Gatland deserve to be booed in Ireland? Is it time for Irish fans to move on from last summer? Will we see a better Wales performance? Is Stuart Lancaster right to name an unchanged England side? Are Scotland wrong to drop captain Kelly Brown?

Come on, I know you want to.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

What a digital age we live in, eh. BBC Radio 5 live sports extra will provide live commentary of the Ireland v Wales match and there are a number of ways to listen to it. One such way is by clicking the 'Live Coverage' tab on the top of this page.

In fact, you can listen, read or watch this year's tournament on whatever piece of technology you've got at your disposal. PC? Smart phone? Tablet? Television? Radio? Use whatever you've got. Heck, why not use them all at the same time.

BBC One's coverage from Dublin is about to start. Later, BBC Radio 5 live will provide full commentary of Scotland v England.

Keeping tabs on what's happening in Dublin and Edinburgh today will be easy. There will, of course, be live text commentary to keep you company and, from 14:00 GMT, when BBC One get in on the act, there will be pictures of moving humans to accompany these words. You can either click the play button on the picture at the top of this page or glide your mouse (or finger) onto the 'Live Coverage' tab.

If the history of the fixture is wreathed in sporting history it should be noted the match itself can often be a stodgy affair.

Only mad dogs and Scottish and Englishmen would think playing a handling ball game in the middle of a Scottish winter is a good idea, and the weather and conditions often contrive to produce a match not only of tectonic intensity but also speed.

Our man on the scene says Murrayfield is "wet, cold and miserable" and the game is expected to kick off in gale force winds and driving rain, while the pitch has already been saturated by winter downpours and savaged by a parasitic worm, dubbed the McMaggot in some quarters.

It will be close, brutal and grim and those of a gentle disposition may wish to get their entertainment elsewhere. JS

One week into the Six Nations and teams are already ringing the changes. And not even the captains have escaped. Of the four sides in action today, only England's Chris Robshaw retains the armband from the opening weekend.

While Ireland, who were skippered by Jamie Heaslip in the 28-6 win over Scotland, have been boosted by the return from illness of highly-experienced lock Paul O'Connell, the Scots have axed Kelly Brown for the visit of England. Wales were captained by second row Alun Wyn Jones in the 23-15 win against Italy, but regular skipper Sam Warburton, who was not deemed fit enough to start, takes over for the Ireland game after recovering from a shoulder problem.

What odds more changes before the end of the tournament?