Image source, Inpho

Ireland, favourites? Andy Farrell isn't having it.

The Ireland head coach has been careful not to wind up his team's opponents this week, dismissing suggestions Wales pose no major threat in their Six Nations opener.

Radio Wales Sport presenter Ian Hunt captures a very different Six Nations day in the Welsh capital.

Image source, Getty Images

As for the Ireland team news, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier are two notable returning players in the pack.

Beirne will partner James Ryan in the second row while Peter O'Mahony switches to blindside flanker, with Van der Flier coming into the back row.

James Lowe has been selected by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell on the wing ahead of Jordan Larmour.

Fit-again Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson are on the bench.

Ireland: Keenan, Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Herring, Porter, Beirne, Ryan, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Stander.

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Furlong, Henderson, Connors, Gibson Park, Burns, Larmour.

Image source, Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency

By the way, speaking of Alun Wyn Jones, you may notice the Wales captain sporting a black eye today.

Jones has been out for two months with a knee injury but, since returning to fitness, he's been in the wars again - in a Wales training session.

He got into a scrape with fellow lock Jake Ball earlier this week but is fine to start today, although Ball is not in the match-day squad.

Hitting your captain is probably never a good idea, especially when your captain is Alun Wyn Jones...

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Let's start with the Wales team news.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones is passed fit to play his first match since December, while wing Louis Rees-Zammit is to make his Six Nations debut.

Flanker Dan Lydiate plays his first international for more than two years and second row Adam Beard also returns.

George North will continue in the centre and win his 99th Wales cap with fellow British and Irish Lion Jonathan Davies missing.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Johnny Williams, Hallam Amos; Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Prynhawn da a chroeso. Good afternoon and welcome.

After Scotland's historic away win against England yesterday, we've got more Six Nations action for you today as Wales host Ireland.

Wales are back at the Principality Stadium after a year away in which it was used as a field hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wales will be missing their loud support more than ever, with head coach Wayne Pivac under pressure after losing seven of his 10 matches in charge last year.

Ireland have had tricky periods during their transition under Andy Farrell too but nothing like Wales, and it's the visitors who start today's games as favourites.

But we saw yesterday that doesn't count for much, does it?