Image source, Reuters

The choir delivers a real crowd-pleaser with a stirring rendition of "Fields of Athenry" to a standing ovation from the emerald contingent in the crowd.

It's quickly followed by Delilah, just to keep the home fans happy.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt: "If you're playing Wales in a Test match then minds are concentrated anyway. These guys all play against each other and with each other on a regular basis.

"The pitch is wet, that's a surprise for us. We expected dry conditions but we will have to adapt. It's not what we expected.

"We can't afford to lose, and neither can they, for different reasons. There is going to be a degree of desperation."

Image source, PA

Leigh Halfpenny may have had the cheek to miss two kicks in the tournament, but Ireland have been successful with their last 16 kicks at goal in the Six Nations. Paddy Jackson has made his last 13 in a row, while Jonathan Sexton has landed his three attempts so far.

The script has been written for a Leigh Halfpenny try then...

Full-back for the Lions this summer? Stuart Hogg has just raised a smile. 

Martyn Williams
Former Wales captain on BBC One

32 games without a try, and Leigh Halfpenny has missed two kicks in this Championship. Time for change? Martyn Williams thinks so.

"Four years ago Wales' style was winning Grand Slams and Leigh Halfpenny was perfect for that.

"But for some reason the management are so stubborn, they're sticking with it. I'd love to see Leigh back on the wing and Liam at 15.

"Those stats prove it. You need an attacking edge at 15."

50 caps - 24 starts and 26 off the bench for Wales' number seven.

A long-time understudy to former skipper Sam Warburton, Tipuric has finally made the open-side spot his own in this tournament. 

And a debate which divided an entire nation looks to finally have been settled this Six Nations campaign.

The answer? A partnership. 

The selection of two open-sides in Justin Tipuric and Sam Warburton has made all camps happy and been one of the only highlights for an under-fire Welsh camp this tournament.

The combination is not new, or revolutionary, but ex-skipper Warburton, freed from the burden of captaincy, has been allowed to quietly dominate the breakdown and steady the line-out, while Tipuric has been one of Wales' only running threats.

If Wales succeed tonight, 'Warbs' and 'Tips' will be at the heart of it.

Image source, Getty Images

Should Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny and wing Liam Williams swap positions? The consensus in the BBC box is an emphatic yes.

The reason? Halfpenny hasn't scored a single try since 2013.

Image source, Getty Images

It's no secret that Wales' fiercest rivals play in white, not green.

Wales have already lost to England in this year's tournament and if they win in Cardiff tonight, they would be doing England another huge favour.

If Wales beat Ireland, England will arrive at Twickenham tomorrow knowing they can take the Six Nations title with victory over Scotland.

But Wales have bigger problems to address - they need to get back to winning ways and beat the Irish to ensure they are ranked among the top eight seeds for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Avoiding another group of death, and silencing the murmurs of discontent surrounding the squad and coaching staff will surely be their focus, not the fortunes of England.

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at The Principality Stadium

Image source, PA

This is the sixth time Wales have played a Six Nations match in Cardiff on a Friday night and it has a different atmosphere to an afternoon game.

Sharp-dressed clubbers mix with the daffodil-hatted rugby fans in the pubs and ale-houses within easy walking distance on the city-centre stadium.

Win or lose tonight, Cardiff is a party city.

Jeremy Guscott
Former England centre on BBC One

Wales are giving themselves opportunities but the execution is lacking. They are not quick enough or efficient enough in their attacking play

Wales are in danger of falling out of the world's top eight, which would not be good news when it comes to the draw for the next World Cup.

That draw is coming up fast - in Kyoto in two months' time. 

Image source, Getty Images

Wales interim coach Rob Howley : "There is always pressure on players and coaches at this level. You have to look after the process and results will then look after themselves."

The best defence? Wales have had trouble at the other end of the pitch so far. Is tonight the night?

Rob Howley says he is a "huge believer in giving players the right to put things right", so that's why he hasn't made changes.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards hits back at claims their coaching team has gone stale, and dismisses suggestions Warren Gatland is still pulling the strings.

Edwards said: “We had the best defence at the last World Cup. So is that stale?.......You think having the best defence at the last two World Cups, you think that’s stale do you?”

I wouldn't argue with him...

Image source, EPA

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has played down suggestions that his side will target under-fire Wales wing George North tonight.

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards said  North was handed "a warning"  for his defending in the defeat by Scotland.

However, Schmidt has made clear he is an admirer of North's abilities.

"If you've seen the size, the strength, the speed and the agility of such a big man, why would you go looking for George North?" said Schmidt.

Sound advice, on the field or off it. 

Patrick is 100% neutral here, I'm sure...

And we are off! Tune in on BBC One or watch at the top of the page.

And former Wales international scrum-half Mike Phillips relived that sneaky try, and other famous games between Wales and Ireland, with his Irish counterpart Peter Stringer on Friday.

Cheeky.

That try against Ireland really shouldn't have stood, should it?

Wales used a different ball from a quick throw-in and Phillips dived over the line to hand Wales victory back in 2011.

It seems that the advertising in the middle of the pitch has had to be repainted on after the watering - so maybe Joe Schmidt does have a point!

We shall see. It's the same for both teams of course.