Wales begin life after Warren Gatland as Six Nations favourites Ireland come to Cardiff looking to continue their grand slam charge.
The first fallow week brought an end to Gatland’s second stint in charge of a nation to which he has given so much, with a 14-match losing run ultimately making his position untenable. While the search for a successor is underway, Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt has been appointed on an interim basis until the end of this campaign and will hope to spark new life in a down-trodden squad looking to lift the gloom.
Any immediate uptick in fortunes feels, perhaps, unlikely with a formidable foe arriving at the Principality Stadium. Ireland may be missing skipper Caelan Doris among a clutch of injury absentees but this is a side that has thrived in adversity before, with their enviable depth displayed in a selection showing a number of changes but limited drop-off in strength.
Follow all of the latest from Cardiff in our live blog below:
Wales vs Ireland LIVE
Wales host Ireland in round three of the Six Nations | Live on the BBC with kick off at 2.15pm GMT
The hosts begin life under interim coach Matt Sherratt after Warren Gatland's departure
Ireland are tournament favourites but without captain Caelan Doris due to injury
Wales ready to see their next head coach in Cardiff – and it’s not Matt Sherratt
09:00 , Luke Baker
Come Saturday afternoon, Wales fans will be focused on whether new interim coach Matt Sherratt can provide them with the spark that has been so sorely lacking during Warren Gatland’s second tenure and potentially salvage something from the wreckage of another Six Nations.
Whatever moment they thought represented rock bottom – the first-ever home defeat to Fiji in November perhaps or the 52-20 humiliation against an unproven Australia side seven days later – there is definitely a new feel to things heading into this weekend.
Not exactly optimism, given that the visitors are a well-drilled Ireland side who are on track to become the first team in Five or Six Nations history to win three back-to-back outright titles, but at least hope that something, anything, may be different in Cardiff. And, at this point, different can hardly be worse. Can it?
Wales ready to see their next head coach in Cardiff – and it’s not Matt Sherratt
Wales vs Ireland LIVE
Friday 21 February 2025 16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the opening clash of the Six Nations weekend between Wales and Ireland. It’s the start of a new era for the hosts after the departure of Warren Gatland - can Matt Sherratt spark them into life against the tournament favourites?
