Well, that's all from us today, thanks for joining us.

Keep an eye on the BBC Sport app and website for all the build-up to Ireland v Wales over the next couple of days before the main event.

Before we go, here's the headlines from Ireland's team announcement.

• A first Six Nations start for Nick Timoney as Ireland make five changes
• Tom O'Toole and Ronan Kelleher come into the front row
• Timoney and Jack Conan start in the back row, while Tadhg Beirne shifts to lock
• Jacob Stockdale replaces injured James Lowe on left wing
• Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak set for Ireland debut off the bench

We'll be back on Friday night to bring you through all of the action. Enjoy your day and see you then!

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on Jamison Gibson-Park on his 50th cap: "Seeing him all those years ago is what you see now. Everyone thinks it's the pace of the game he plays at, he's unbelievably fit, and that allows him to be calm with in his head and he sees things that other don't. That's the definition of fitness, the game becomes a bit easier. He seems to be a step apart as far as that is concerned.

"On top of that, the more you play international rugby the more your confidence grows to show you are not just a top player, but he wants to show he is up there with the best in the world. Everyone talks about Dupont, but we're lucky to have Jamison. It's his fight and determination. He's hard as nails and you wouldn't want to compete against him."

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on Wales' recent form: "The story has been written many times about their decline and how unfortunate it has been, but at the same time we are playing them in a Test match on Friday and, from what I've seen, they've been getting better game on game.

"The last game was as close as it gets against a very good Scottish squad. We have heard the confidence in the Welsh camp that they are coming to Dublin with a spring in their step and they are familiar with how our lads play in the URC. I suppose that influences the result last year, so it's up to us to show that we have moved on as well."

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on the improvement in Ulster and seven players in the squad: "It's a fantastic news story. It goes to show that if teams are playing well and playing good rugby, they will get selected. We've always said that selection isn't up to us, it's up to the players to show they are worthy of the spot and the right to get in the room, and then they can show us what they got. It's thoroughly deserved for all those lads.

On Ulster's style and similarities to Ireland: "There are a lot of similarities which are helpful, but a lot of twists and turns that make a difference to how teams play. That's how it should be. It makes it easier to get people up to speed when they get into camp. The older and wiser you get at this level, the easier it becomes anyway. There are a few young lads coming in from Ulster, so it does make it easier at the start."

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on Bundee Aki missing out on selection: "He's been training with us for three days and it's good to see him. He's fit an able, but there's other lads who are playing well and we decided to keep rolling on in that position. It was good to see Jimmy O'Brien back, he was looking sharp as well as Robbie [Henshaw]. There's a little bit more depth coming back into the squad now."

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on Nick Timoney's selection: "I could talk for a good while about Nick. His biggest work on between then and now is his consistency in performance. We have always seen what he can do. He's some athlete. He's quick, strong, good over the ball and he has a good eye for a line break. It was the consistency in his performance, and his contact work has come on massively. This isn't just giving him a chance, he's earned the right to start and everyone knows that."

Ireland Rugby

Farrell on reports linking him to Saracens job after the 2027 World Cup: "You'd expect me to say I'm here to concentrate on the Six Nations and whatever will be in the future will be. I suppose it's people putting two and two together and making five. I suppose it is the connections, so you can see why that has happened, but we'll sit down and have discussions with the IRFU in the near future, that's for sure."

Ireland Rugby

On seven Ulster players being selected in the matchday squad: "It's brilliant, isn't it? They are in the side because of the form they have been showing for their province. There is confidence within the group to warrant a starting place or a debut or whatever, and shows that they are keen to grow at this level as well. We have seen this over the past number of weeks."

Ireland Rugby

On Jacob Stockdale shaking off his performance against France: "A few others had the opportunity to do that against Italy and England. He's been waiting in wings for another opportunity to have a crack at it. He's been showing up well in training.

"He's a fantastic athlete who can play rugby as well. We have seen him growing behind the scenes and he's an opportunity on Friday. We're looking forward to that."

Ireland Rugby

Andy Farrell on changing the team from England: "I would say it's what is right for the team and group. I'm making sure we find out about people who deserve to be in a shirt. Someone like Tom Stewart, he deserves to battle for the number two shirt. He has been outstanding in how he has conducted himself. So he needs an opportunity to show what he can do. You've other guys, certainly like Rob Baloucoune or Stuart McCloskey, who can back up good performances and make sure it is a consistent thing. We could go through the whole group, really."

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Farrell is due to appear for his press conference any moment now, so here's a reminder of the starting team before he speaks.

You would imagine that Stockdale's selection, Gibson-Park's 50th cap and Nathan Doaks' debut will be key topics of discussion.

BBC Sport Wales have been speaking to Wales head coach Steve Tandy and here's what he has had to say on his selection for Friday's match.

On Ellis Mee's recall: "There are a couple of enforced changes this week due to injury and then Ellis had played well in the opening couple of rounds, so we feel he deserves the opportunity again."

On Dan Edwards starting at fly-half: "Dan was disappointed not being picked against Scotland but the way he reacted was outstanding. We want to create competition and that will push us on to be the team we want to be."

On uncapped Louie Hennessey: "Louie was unfortunate not to get his opportunity in the autumn, but he's trained well. He had a bit of a bump on his hand at the start of this campaign, but the way he's recovered and put performances in the training environment has been very impressive. We're all excited to see Louie go out in Dublin."

Chris Kirwan
BBC Sport Wales

Wing Ellis Mee returns to the Wales starting line-up for Friday night's match in Dublin.

The Scarlets back will replace Gabriel Hamer-Webb at Aviva Stadium, while 21-year-old uncapped Bath centre Louie Hennessey could make his debut from the replacements bench.

Mee, 22, is one of three starting changes from the 26-23 defeat by Scotland with fly-half Dan Edwards and flanker James Botham coming in for the injured Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree.

There is one positional switch with Alex Mann moving from open-side flanker to blind-side to accommodate Botham.

The Cardiff pair will pack down in the back row alongside in-form number eight Aaron Wainwright, who has been named in the side despite reports of a fitness concern.

Montpellier lock Adam Beard and Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell are recalled to the bench, with Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray dropping out of the squad.

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Hennessey.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It was a memorable day for Ireland last time these two met as they got their hands of a 14th Triple Crown.

Of course, green hopes of a Grand Slam fell away the following week with defeat to France but tries from Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne helped crown a victorious day in Cardiff with a 27-18 win.

Wales were under the guidance of interim coach Matt Sherratt at the time, and had led 18-10 in the second half.

Sam Prendergast kicked 17 points in total though to help secure an Irish victory.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

There's been a lot of discussion about Jacob Stockdale's selection on the left wing ahead of Tommy O'Brien.

Here's how the two players stack up in green?

Has Andy Farrell made the right call? Let us know what you think.

I'll leave the maths to other people, but it's a good point from Niall.

Will the height make a difference in Dublin?

Ireland Rugby Social
Listen on BBC Sounds

On this week's podcast, Gavin and Conor are joined by Welsh rugby royalty in the shape of Jamie Roberts.

The former centre won 94 caps for his country and toured with the British and Irish Lions twice alongside Conor.

Former rivals in the Six Nations, the pair reminisced on their old battles with former Ireland wing Simon Zebo catching a few strays!

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds or watch on YouTube, external right now.

Remember, you can have your say on Ireland's team using Get Involved.