Rob Jones
Former Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live extra

It's harsh on Rhys Patchell that he misses out on the 23, because he's played so well for the Scarlets. But Patchell probably didn't have his best game against England, so it's probably the right call, because Wales do have a lot of riches in the fly-half position.

There seems to be glowing sunshine all over the place today. Not so in Dublin, where conditions are dry, but overcast.

So where are you watching from? Send me your pictures on #bbcsixnations.

Rob Jones
Former Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live extra

Two big players come back for Wales today - Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny - providing a huge amount of experience. In the aerial battle, there's no-one better than Biggar, so he's a huge man to have back for Wales.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Wales welcome back a trio of British and Irish Lions in the wake of their defeat by England a fortnight ago with fly-half Dan Biggar, wing Liam Williams and full-back Leigh Halfpenny in the starting XV.

Biggar has recovered faster than expected from a shoulder injury, while Halfpenny is over a foot infection that kept him out of the Twickenham clash.

But Taulupe Faletau, who has not played since December, has been released back to Bath to recover his match fitness with Ross Moriarty instead continuing at number eight.

After starting at 10 last time out, Rhys Patchell is left out of the matchday squad altogether.

Wales team: Halfpenny; L Williams, S Williams, Parkes, S Evans; Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies; R Evans, Owens, Lee, Hill, AW Jones, Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty.

Replacements: Dee, W Jones, Francis, B Davies, Tipuric, A Davies, Anscombe, North.

Image source, Inpho

Ireland will be without second row Iain Henderson and prop Tadhg Furlong in Dublin.

The British and Irish Lions duo both suffered hamstring injuries during the round two win against Italy.

Tight-head prop Andrew Porter will make his second start for while James Ryan replaces Henderson.

Centre Chris Farrell also comes in for Robbie Henshaw, who has been ruled out of the rest of the Championship.

Ireland: Kearney, Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale, Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (captain), Porter, Ryan, Toner, O'Mahony, Leavy, Stander

Replacements: Cronin, McGrath, Ryan, Roux, Conan, Marmion, Carbery, McFadden.

The warm-ups are done. The last pearls of wisdom have been uttered by Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland. All that remains is to pull on the shirt... a task which should not be underestimated with today's skin-tight numbers.

While the players struggle with that task in the changing room, let's have a look at those all-important line-ups...

Image source, Reuters

Head-to-head

• Ireland have gone three games without a win against Wales in the Six Nations.
• Ireland failed to score a try last season in the match against Wales for only the second time since 1994.
• Last year's 22-9 win for Wales was the first time they had not conceded double figures against Ireland in a Six Nations game since 1988.

Ireland

• Ireland have won 12 of their last 14 matches, including the last nine in a row.
• The Irish have not lost at home in the Six Nations since a 2013 defeat to England, and are unbeaten in the last 12, winning 10 and drawing two.
• Captain Rory Best will win his 109th cap - making him Ireland's most-capped forward.

Image source, Getty Images

Wales

• This is Warren Gatland's 100th game in charge. He has 50 wins, two draws and 47 defeats.
• Only France captain Guilhem Guirado (50) has made more tackles than Josh Navidi (36/37) in this Six Nations far. Navidi also tops the charts for turnovers won with five.
• Aaron Shingler has won a competition-high 11 lineouts so far, including one steal.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland will take charge of his 100th Test match today. Quite an achievement for a man who divides opinion.

Let's take a look at the other key stats ahead of this afternoon's game in Dublin.

And here are some Welsh fans doing just that...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Irish Independent

BBC Wales Sport's Gareth Williams in Dublin: Welsh fans, more than the game, itself are front page news in Ireland. And with the city expected to turn red they’ll add a splash of colour and warmth to a very grey and very, very cold Dublin.

Image source, Irish Times

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin

If bigging up your opponents is a winning strategy then Wales should walk it in Dublin today.

Coach Warren Gatland started the ball rolling by describing Ireland half-backs Johnny Sexton and Connor Murray as among the best "9-10" combinations in the world.

Shaun Edwards called them legendary while Dan Biggar's view on Sexton was "fantastic".

Expect the charm to turn into offence when the teams take the field - the half-backs have numbers on their backs but they might as well be targets.

Up to speed? Good.

Let's get back to hurling insults, bearing grudges and... showering the opposition with compliments?

England women remain on course for the Grand Slam, and a second successive Six Nations title, after beating Scotland 43-8 in Glasgow last night.

The defending champions scored seven tries, including this one from wing Danielle Waterman.

Can their male counterparts continue the trend this afternoon?

Image source, Getty Images

The Friday night fixture wasn't a classic. So if you couldn't tune it, well, you didn't miss much.

After a dire first half where neither side could catch the ball, Mathieu Bastareaud piled through most of the Italian defence, on multiple occasions, and drove France to their first win in eight matches.

Italy, meanwhile, sit rock bottom of the table and picked up an unwanted record - they've now lost 15 consecutive Six Nations matches, the most in their history. So much for their revival.

Here's the match report from a rather empty stadium in Marseille.

The under-20s of Ireland and Wales served up an extraordinary appetizer in Donnybrook.

Wales came out 41-38 winners on Friday night in a game which saw the sides share 11 tries.

You'll get long odds against that happening again today.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Before we get onto today's games, here's a quick run-through of what you missed last night.

BBC Radio 5 live

Wherever you are, whoever you are supporting, we have got you covered today commentary-wise.

Ireland v Wales is live on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

While Scotland v England is live on BBC One and BBC Radio 5 live.

Video, audio, mono, stereo, however you want it, a click at the top of this page can bring it to you in full streaming glory.

Cian Murtagh
BBC Sport NI at the Aviva Stadium

It’s a bitterly cold day in Dublin and fans arriving at the ground can see their breath fogging-up before their faces, but you can feel the buzz around the city in what is always one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Six Nations calendar.

In a game that pits two of the best defences in world rugby against one another, discipline is going to be key today because Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar will happily convert any kick within range.

Both teams have conceded just nine penalties from the opening two rounds – a joint tournament low – but which defence will crack under the pressure of today’s encounter?

Arguably Wales have had the tougher tests so far in the tournament, but Ireland are unbeaten. It is going to be fascinating to watch.

Image source, BBC Sport