Mind games? Check.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is apparently unhappy that the pitch in Cardiff has been 'overly' watered.

He couldn't complain if it had just been raining all day of course...

An Englishman, (an Irishman) and a Kiwi walk into a bar...

And surprisingly they both predict an Ireland away win.

Will Greenwood says it will be 28-21, Sean Fitzpatrick a heavier defeat for Wales at 31-19.

Let us know your score predictions via #bbcsixnations or text us on 81111.

Conor McNamara
BBC commentator

Redemption is seldom more than one performance away. If Wales put in a commanding win tonight then the mood could change very quickly.

The Daily Telegraph

England hosted Fiji in the opening game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, on a Friday night, at Twickenham.

But the Rugby Football Union have always resisted the Friday night Six Nations slot, citing logistical and travel problems.

And the Daily Telegraph have reported that the RFU now 'refuses to host Friday night games'.

England will apparently only consider hosting games on Saturdays and Sunday - and will maintain that stance for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

“We are not in discussions with the Six Nations about hosting Friday night matches at Twickenham,” Ian Ritchie, the RFU chief executive told the Daily Telegraph., external

The fixture schedule for the next two seasons will be confirmed at the next Six Nations board meeting later this month.

But with England refusing to budge, it looks like Wales will be forced to bear the burden once again.

Image source, Rex Features

Home has rarely been an advantage for Wales against Ireland since 1983.

Ireland have won 11 of the 15 matches with Wales in Cardiff since then, with one drawn and just three home victories.

The last of those was two years ago when a monumental defensive effort saw Wales hang on to win 23-16 thanks to Scott Williams' try.

But this is the first time the teams have met on a Friday evening.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

People aren't happy that Warren Gatland has gone to the Lions.

Are these Wales backroom staff good enough? They're all on long contracts.

And we haven't heard enough from Alex King, the attack coach who was brought in. 

He hasn't come out and said what they should be doing to score these tries.

The 5 live pundits believe the game could be won at nine and 10 for Ireland - will Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton get the upper hand over Wales duo Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar?

No country has more reason to love playing in Cardiff than the Irish who have enjoyed recent success there. But, in what has become a feisty fixture, Ireland haven't had it all their own way, as Peter Jackson explains.  

The roof is indeed closed tonight - does it make a difference out on the pitch? Gamesmanship?

It should ensure - not that there was any doubt - a fiery atmosphere.

Paul O'Connell
Former Ireland captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

I am delighted the roof is closed but I'm surprised.

When I was playing we wanted to know what the Welsh were doing, and we wanted to do the opposite!

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at The Principality Stadium

"No changes, so no excuses". The words of Wales forward coach Robin McBryde hang heavy in the air in Cardiff as Wales attempt to avoid losing three consecutive matches in the tournament for the first time since 2007.

The same Wales 23 who lost against Scotland have a chance of redemption against championship-chasing Ireland.

Defeat for Joe Schmidt's same-again starting XV would put the kibosh on a potential championship showdown with England in Dublin.

Friday night is jeopardy night.

And while we're discussing bonus points, the official Six Nations website, external has put me straight - it turns out that Wales can still be champions. Technically.

It involves a lot of bonus points and a very unlikely turn of events, but it's still possible...

With this year's championship potentially heading for a tight finish, it's worth a reminder that there are bonus points available for the first time this year.

Last season it was two points for a win, but it is now four - plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries.

A losing team could pick up two bonus points - one if they score four or more tries and another if they lose by fewer than seven points.

If England win the Grand Slam - all five games - they get three extra points.

Teams that draw will now get two points each with a similar bonus point available for high scoring.

Got all that?

Jeremy Guscott
Former England centre

Image source, EPA

Justin Tipuric is one of the great footballing back rowers, but he is an amazing all-rounder, as he is proving this tournament with his tackling heroics.

As an open-side it is imperative he takes players out of the game and he does just that with his tackling excellence.

He leads the way for Wales with 43 tackles so far this tournament and has shown that he has the physicality to complement his skill set.

Read more from Guscott here

Wales flanker Justic Tipuric will win his 50th cap tonight, and he's not apprehensive about the match, but about the song he'll be forced to sing after.

As is Wales tradition, winning your 50th cap is a feat that requires you to belt-out a favourite tune in front of your team-mates afterwards. 

"I've got a dreadful voice and there's only one song I really know and that's My Girl from the Temptations," said the 27-year-old.

It's a classic JT. You won't go wrong with that...

Whatever twists and turns this season's Six Nations championship takes, let BBC Sport be your guide with notifications direct to your phone.

The latest news, views, reaction and action from the heart of the tournament will be delivered straight to your phone so you are always first to know.

Whichever team you are supporting, it is the best way to stay one step ahead of your rivals.

Simply head over to the notifications section in the BBC Sport app menu, tap through sports news and add rugby union. And that's it.

You can tune in to the 5 live coverage now on your radio, your phone, tablet, in your car, at the top of this page...

And another team bus. Wales aren't far behind.

Image source, Getty Images

"Of all the teams in the Six Nations, Welsh players dislike the Irish the most."

Remember that? 

In 2009, Wales welcomed Ireland to Cardiff for the climax of the Six Nations tournament - Ireland were bidding for the Grand Slam and Wales for the Championship and Triple Crown.

And Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who was big on mind games, tried to add fuel to the fire with this little jibe.

But unfortunately for him, both sides were clearly ignorant to it and the men in green came from 6-0 down to claim their first Grand Slam in 61 years.

The Ireland team bus managed to navigate a way through the traffic then...