Ireland host Wales in their Six Nations opener this weekend as the tournament kicks off.
Andy Farrell's side are undefeated in almost a year, but did lose their opening two Six Nations game last year, including against Wales in Cardiff.
Among their victories since was a famous win over the All Blacks in Dublin and Ireland come into this year's tournament as the favourites in many people's eyes.
Mack Hansen will make his Ireland debut in the Dublin clash, with Keith Earls out of the game through injury.
Farrell has gone with 13 of the line-up that beat the New Zealand.
Robbie Henshaw suffered an adductor niggle towards the end of last week and, after a period of rehab, is fully fit again, but that time lost on the training ground has cost him this weekend.
Here's what you need to know about the game:
Where and when is it?
The match takes place at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 5.
What time is kick-off?
The action is scheduled to get under way at 2.15pm.
What channel is it on?
RTE Two will show the match live, with their coverage starting at 1pm.
You can also follow updates with The Irish Mirror's live blog here.
Ireland team
15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Andrew Conway, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. Mack Hansen, 10. Johnny Sexton (capt), 9. Jamison Gibson Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Cian Healy, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. James Hume.
Wales team
15. Liam Williams, 14. Johnny McNicholl, 13. Josh Adams, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Louis Rees-Zammit, 10. Dan Biggar (capt), 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ryan Elias, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Ellis Jenkins, 7. Taine Basham, 8. Aaron Wainwright.
Replacements: 16. Dewi Lake, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Dillon Lewis, 19. Seb Davies, 20. Ross Moriarty, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Owen Watkin.
Quotes corner
Ireland coach Andy Farrell: “This is a new competition, the Six Nations is like no other, the autumn has gone.
“Yes, there were some decent performances but we want to be better, we want to kick on, we want to see who is hungry enough to be in that frame of mind.
“We want to deliver a trophy every single time we enter a competition and this year is certainly no different.
“But ultimately we want to kick on as a group, we want to kick on with how we want to play the game, we want to push new boundaries for ourselves.
“There is a good foundation that’s been built and there is a real belief in how we’re trying to play the game.
“It came together in parts pretty well in the autumn and the aim is 100 per cent to kick on.”
Wales' Dan Biggar on Johnny Sexton: “Whenever I get asked who has been the most difficult person to play against of the last 10-12 years, there is no doubt Johnny’s name would be very near the top.
“He is very similar to myself in terms of the drive, the will to win, scrapping for absolutely everything on the field.
“It’s a testament to him in how he has managed to handle himself and keep his form going into his mid-30s. I don’t think anyone is sure how old he really is!
“He is going really strong, and I’ve got a huge amount of time for Johnny. There are very few people more deserving of 100 caps in international rugby than Johnny.
“It is always a challenge playing against him. We may not be the best of friends for 80 minutes on the pitch and quite narky at each other.
“But away from the field, he is an absolute pleasure to deal with and I have a huge amount of time for him.”
Tickets
Tickets for the Six Nations are distributed through the four provincial branches to rugby clubs and schools. Thereafter, any remaining tickets are sold through the Irish Rugby Supporters Club on ticketmaster.ie
Betting odds
Ireland win: 1/10
Wales win: 6/1
Draw: 30/1
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