Wales have plenty of ball early on but the Irish defence locks down and Lleucu George knocks on just outside the 22.

Fiona Hayes
Ex-Ireland prop on BBC Two NI

It's good to see Eve Higgins back in the team. I'm exciting to see how the centre partnership goes, Ireland will be disappointed how it went in France.

The anthems have been belted out and we are under way! The visitors get us going playing left to right kicking towards the War Memorial End.

Rachel Taylor
Former Wales captain and coach on BBC Radio Wales

I'd like to see a continuation from Wales from that game against England, especially the attacking freedom that we saw from them.

It will be tough for them because Ireland are a good side and have a formidable back row.

The breakdown will be a contest and Ireland's kick-chasing against France was insane.

Elinor Snowsill
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

Scott Bemand has made a huge difference since coming in three years ago.

Ireland were almost at rock-bottom with their union and one of the first things he did was bring in a full-time member of staff just to look at the culture. He did that straight away.

He's also changed the way that Ireland play and has put an emphasis on speed of ball.

• Ireland lead the head-to-head stats, winning 13 out of 24 games played against Wales
• Ireland have come out on top in the last two Six Nations meetings against Wales, both with bonus-point wins
• Ireland have won 19 line-out throws and four line-out steals, more than any other side in this year's Six Nations
• Erin King leads the championship in both attacking ruck entries (105) and defensive ruck entries (39)
• Wales lead the championship in kicks in play (87) and kick metres (2036)
• Wales also top of the table with the most tackle turnovers (12)
• Keira Bevan beat the most defenders (nine) in round three

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter at Affidea Stadium

I was in Dublin in 2022 when Wales stunned Ireland at the RDS in a 27-19 win, but given Wales haven't tasted victory since last July, it's hard to see a repeat of those heroics tonight.

I think Ireland will have too much firepower, while Wales are still trying to find a new identity under Sean Lynn.

Some young Ireland fans have been gathering early to soak up the sun at the Affidea Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

You can now watch build-up to today's game on BBC One Wales, BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

You can listen to match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds.

Gareth Bailey
BBC Sport Wales at Affidea Stadium in Belfast

Speaking of wingers with pace, how we would have loved to see Nel Metcalfe on the wing for Wales in this Six Nations campaign.

The 21-year-old scored six tries in seven games for her club this season before a knee injury ruled her out.

The Gloucester-Hartpury winger is here today supporting her sister Branwen who starts in the second row and she's still wearing the smile that comes with signing a new contract this week.

The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Irish clubs could play in the Premiership Women's Rugby in the future.

The PWR, currently restricted to English clubs, opened an expression of interest process in April for organisations who might join the nine-team competition if it expanded.

The closing date for clubs around the UK and Republic of Ireland to submit their expressions of interest was 30 April.

Currently, Munster, Connacht, Leinster and Ulster play in an Interpro league, while Clovers and Irish Wolfhounds represent Ireland in the Celtic Challenge alongside clubs from Scotland and Wales.

In the most recent Celtic Challenge, Wolfhounds retained their crown for a third year in a row after a 50-29 win over Clovers.

There are 11 players in the Ireland Six Nations squad who play in the PWR, including four who play for reigning Champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

"The IRFU has noted the update from Premi­er­ship Women's Rugby (PWR) regard­ing the open­ing of expres­sions of interest for future sea­sons. It's pos­it­ive to see new ideas and oppor­tun­it­ies emer­ging that sup­port the con­tin­ued growth of the women's game," IRFU head of women's strategy Lynne Can­t­well said.

"The IRFU has expressed its interest in the PWR pro­cess and looks for­ward to explor­ing the poten­tial oppor­tun­ity fur­ther that could enable us to grow the game.

"Any developments will be care­fully con­sidered within the con­text of the whole game and what best sup­ports long-term growth for our clubs and provinces.

"Our focus remains on build­ing a strong, sus­tain­able future for women's rugby across the island."

Image source, Getty Images

Caryl James
Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Cymru

It's a bit of a shock to see Hannah Dellavalle move out to the wing given that she is a centre.

Sean Lynn has said that he wants his proven, experienced players on the field from the start in this game, so that's why she's playing.

I'm a bit concerned about it because she isn't as quick as those Ireland wingers.

Ireland hooker Neve Jones accepts that she has "an important role" to play off the bench for Scott Bemand's side in the Six Nations.

The 27-year-old has come off the bench in all three of Ireland's games so far in the campaign and is again amongst the replacements for their home game against Wales at the Affidea Stadium.

It is a change of roles for Jones, who was a regular starter during last year's tournament and the World Cup, but one she is willing to embrace given the competitive nature of the Irish squad.

"It's a different game you play when you come off the bench, you have to bring the energy for the girls that have played 40-50 minutes and it's a important role," she said.

"We're at a point where the competition is so high, any opportunity to pull on a green jersey is very exciting."

After a fallow week, which Jones said was "brilliant" for Ireland, Bemand's side will be looking to bounce back from defeat against France last time out.

Jones is hoping that Ireland can build on their previous home win when they thumped Italy 57-20 in Galway.

"You want to play week in, week out, but the fallow week came at a good time. We had three tough games which shows how far the women's game has come these days, all games are really competitive," she added.

"We've played some really good rugby in the first three games, we just need to neaten up. We've missed out on one-two percenters which has been our own doing so we just need to sharpen up on that."

Wales have lost their three games so far in the tournament against Scotland, France and England, but did pick up a losing bonus-point after scoring 26 points against the world champions and Jones is wary of the threat they will pose.

"We're constantly growing as a squad but we know Wales have gone from strength to strength as well.

"They haven't had the results they've wanted, but the rugby they want to play is exciting.

"Sean Lynn has done a great job with them, so bring on Saturday and we'll put on a show I'm sure."

Image source, Getty Images

Wales Rugby

Carys Cox and Hannah Dallavalle return to Wales' backline for today's game in Belfast.

Cox missed the defeats by France and England after picking up a knock in training, while Dallavalle was a late withdrawal against the Red Roses.

Cox slots back into midfield alongside Courtney Keight, while Dallavalle, usually a centre herself, moves out to the wing in place of Seren Singleton.

Georgia Evans is the third starting change, taking her place in the second row in place of the injured Gwen Crabb as she makes her first start of the campaign.

Nikita Prothero is set for a debut off the bench, while Natalia John could win her 50th cap.

Bethan Lewis will lead the side out at Affidea Stadium, with Kate Williams ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a leg injury.

Wales: Powell; Dallavalle, Cox, Keight, J Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Metcalfe, Evans, Aiono, Lewis (capt), King

Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, A Joyce, Lockwood, Bell, Prothero

Ireland Rugby

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has made one change to his starting XV for today's game at the Affidea Stadium.

Eve Higgins replaces Nancy McGillivray, who is not involved in the matchday squad, at centre in the sole alteration from the 26-7 defeat against France in Clermont two weeks ago.

Higgins started the opening 33-12 defeat against England before she came off the bench in the big 57-20 win over Italy and the defeat in France.

Bemand has made a number of changes to the bench in opting for a 6:2 split.

Sadh McGrath and Grace Moore are back among the replacements, while 20-year-old full-back Niamh Gallagher is set to make her debut off the bench.

Ireland: Flood; Parsons, Dalton, Higgins, O'Connor; O'Brien, Lane; Perry, Moloney-MacDonald, Djougang, Wall, Tuite, Hogan, King (capt), Wafer.

Replacements: Jones, McGrath, Cahill, Campbell, Monaghan, Moore, Whelan, Gallagher.

Ceri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales rugby reporter

When the door of opportunity opened for Jorja Aiono, true to her Samoan heritage, she didn't just walk through it, she tore it down.

The Swansea teenager was outstanding on debut against Scotland in the Women's Six Nations, and was rewarded with starts against France and England.

Aiono looked every bit at home against the game's big hitters and has drawn praise for her power and work rate.

"I play like my dad," admitted the 19-year-old lock, daughter of former Neath, Ebbw Vale, Glamorgan Wanderers and Llandovery back-row forward Nio.

"My dad's from Samoa, he was a big carrier as well. He used to play in New Zealand and Australia.

"My uncle [Afa Aiono] captained Samoa Sevens, which is really cool, and my brother played for the under-20s.

"We all back each other up, and with Sisilia [Tuipulotu] also Polynesian, she took me under her wing... we're kind of a family."

Aiono, 19, is studying sports science at Hartpury University and is on the books of Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

But it was her work for Celtic Challenge side Brython Thunder this season that caught the eye of Wales head coach Sean Lynn.

She was one of nine uncapped players in his Six Nations squad and was thrust straight into the starting line-up for the opener against Scotland at the Principality Stadium.

"It was such a shock, though it's nice to see the coaches believe in me," said Aiono.

"I just couldn't stop smiling on the day, it's all come so quickly.

"It's been a privilege. I was really impressed by myself. It's nice to see that hard work does pay off."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

On this week's Ireland Rugby Social, Gavin Andrews and Lindsay Peat sit down for a wide-ranging chat with Ireland back row Brittany Hogan.

Hogan began playing rugby at her hometown club Ballynahinch and was soon capped through the age grades by Ulster.

While her international career initially came in the sevens code, she made her senior Ireland XVs debut in the Covid-impacted Women's Six Nations in October 2020.

Since then, she has become a staple in the Irish pack and has started all three Six Nations games this year at blind-side flanker, scoring a try in the 57-20 win over Italy in Galway.

After a rest week, Hogan and her team-mates are hoping to bounce back from a painful defeat by France in Saturday's game against Wales in Belfast (18:30 BST).

"Wales are very good and they have grown into the tournament, built and changed completely," said Hogan.

"Their set-piece and their forward pack, they are very dominant in their maul, scrum strong and their breakdowns are strong.

"This is going to be a good, tough and physical game. We want to make sure we start fast again, like we did against France."

Ireland remain unbeaten at home so far after an impressive 57-20 win over Italy in Galway.

They will also take confidence into the match having won two of their past three Six Nations fixtures at the home of Ulster Rugby.

"I love playing up there, it is great to be back up at Ulster and playing up with the home crowd there," Hogan added.

"There is a great buzz and a lot more of my family can go, it is nice to see everyone and it is a great stadium.

"We want to go away with three home wins. We haven't won three home games in the past few years and it is really important that if people come over to us, that we make it really hard."

"Every game in this tournament has seen us build another layer of the team we aspire to be and we expect to come away from Ireland having done the same," said Wales head coach Sean Lynn.

"Morale and confidence are really high, everybody will be looking for a win, but it's about making sure that we are performing.

"Ireland have got a very physical pack, they work hard, and they've got Dannah O'Brien who's got a very good kicking game.

"If we can stop them from going forward, then we're putting them out of their comfort zone."

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says he can see a notable "mindset shift" across all levels of the women's game in the country.

The Ireland senior side have moved up to fifth in the world rankings after a positive 2025 and are aiming to finish off this year's Women's Six Nations campaign with two home victories against Wales and Scotland, following a disappointing defeat by France last time out.

Bemand also pointed to the positive strides made at underage level, referencing Ireland Under-21s' historic first victory over England in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday and the under-18s' win over the Red Roses last month.

"Yes, I do see that [mindset shift] and it is highlighted by the level of disappointment after the France game. We said we didn't want to be plucky losers and we're not operating in that space anymore," he said.

"I like that little bit of expectation we place on ourselves. People say we appear confident and we should be, we have good players a group that can score tries. We hadn't scored a maul try against a top-four side and over in France last week we got a maul try. We're developing and showing we have the capability.

"Two or three years ago we were talking about belief and confidence but now we have the tools to keep going after it. I think there has been a mindset shift. The under-18s beat England recently, under-21s have just beaten England, the mindset now is we have the capability."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Wales commentator Phil Steele: "There's a lovely old Irish saying that's often used to articulate the laid-back, unhurried approach to life in the Emerald Isle that goes: 'When God made time, he gave plenty of it to Ireland'.

"Unfortunately as far as time waiting for a Welsh victory is concerned, the good Lord has been rather over generous to Sean Lynn's team.

"It's been 295 days since their last win and 1,503 days since they last triumphed over Ireland. So what are Wales' chances of a timely taste of victory this time out?

"They're certainly not favourites against an Irish side that possesses genuine quality in several positions - not least in a powerful pack which features last year's player of the tournament Aoife Wafer and skipper Erin King.

"Wales are fortified with the return of Hannah Dallavelle and Carys Cox, and no doubt skipper Bethan Lewis will be urging her team to take heart from two specific episodes - the opening 40 minutes where they held parity with France, and the final 10 minutes when they finished with a two-try flourish against England.

"If Wales are able to amalgamate the above for the full 80 minutes it might just be their time. This time."