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Wales v Ireland: Everything you need to know
By Russell Greaves
Wales have failed to impress at the Six Nations and Rob Howley's temporary tenure will be viewed with some derision if a win over Italy transpires to be their only success.
Things will get no easier for the interim coach on Friday when his side host an Ireland team determined to keep alive their hopes of winning the tournament.
Despite criticism from fans over a perceived lack of changes in tactics and personnel, Howley has named the same line-up that suffered a 29-13 loss at Scotland last time out.
They will tackle Ireland under the Principality Stadium roof, with the visitors knowing that a defeat will leave the door open for England to clinch the title with a bonus-point victory when they host Scotland on Saturday.
Ireland are also unchanged, with Joe Schmidt's men having defeated France 19-9 in their previous outing.
HEAD TO HEAD
Wales: 67
Ireland: 50
Draw: 7
WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016">
COACH COMMENTS
Rob Howley (Wales): "This is the chance to go out in front of our own supporters and deliver a display which the players are proud of and for the fans to support. It will be a huge game."
Joe Schmidt (Ireland): "They [Wales] keep that ball and they keep the pressure on because they are very much a gain line team, and it's very hard to stop them getting that gain line when the big runners get involved."
OPTA STATS
- Wales beat Ireland when last hosting them in the Six Nations, but have not won consecutive home matches against them in the competition since 1983
- Ireland need 17 points to reach 500 in the Six Nations under coach Joe Schmidt, with this being his 19th championship game at the helm.
- Ireland's starting XV's combined total of 715 caps is only one more than Wales' tally.
- Ireland have slotted their last 16 kicks at goal in the Six Nations with Paddy Jackson making his last 13 in a row, while Johnny Sexton has landed his three attempts off the tee so far.
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Will be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
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