Captain Dewi Lake says Wales believe they can defy the odds and beat Ireland in Dublin.

Wales have lost their past 14 Six Nations matches in a streak that stretches over three years, while they have suffered 24 defeats in 26 internationals since the 2023 World Cup.

Ireland are buoyed by a record 42-21 away demolition of England and are heavy favourites to win at the Aviva Stadium.

But Lake has backed his side after a more encouraging display in the 26-23 defeat by Scotland.

"We believe we can compete against Ireland because we think we're good enough, I don't think we would be here if we didn't think that," said the hooker.

"We believe that if we play our game and we get our things right, we can beat Ireland."

Wales Rugby

Wing Ellis Mee returns to the Wales starting line-up for tonight's Six Nations game against Ireland 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.

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.

Gareth Rhys Owen
BBC Radio Wales commentator

I think there is a contrast to the mood in the Welsh camp from this time last year to today.

Last year Wales were battered physically and mentally, Warren Gatland had his ways that worked and then it didn’t work.

The players were fragile after that. This new coaching set up are more sensitive, giving players a voice, and there’s a positive to that.

And hopefully, the positivity can produce results.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ireland have got the better of Wales in all but two of their last 10 meetings.

Wales last win in Dublin? A World Cup warm-up game in 2015.

Their last Six Nations victory at the Aviva Stadium? Way back in 2012 when Leigh Halfpenny kicked a late winning penalty.

Image source, Inpho

A 2023 victory over Italy in Rome was the last time Wales savoured that winning feeling in the Six Nations and while predictions the losing streak will end in Dublin on Friday are thin on the ground, Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell insists "we don't expose ourselves" to such discourse.

Certainly, it's been another tough campaign for the Welsh who were whitewashed in the last two championships, while they look favourites for a third-straight wooden spoon with three defeats in their opening fixtures this year.

However, O'Connell does not believe the outlook is as bleak for Steve Tandy's side as some predict, refusing to downplay the chances of their visitors who were minutes from victory against Scotland in their last outing.

Still, the Irish approach remains the same, less concerned about what the opposition will bring and more about "getting excited to do our thing".

"For sure, we focus on the opposition but less than we did in my playing days," the former Ireland captain told reporters on Tuesday.

"There's real excitement about how we're going to play and perform, but having said that, Wales have excellent players and athletes, really good coaches.

"You've seen hints of it over the last few months and I think Wales are going to get better and better, but for us, it's about our performance.

"We're expecting a tough game, but we want to see us getting better at what we do."

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.

James Hook
Former Wales fly-half on Radio Wales Sport

The weather is perfect, a little nippy but the pitch looks perfect and the atmosphere is building.

That’s all Wales needs is a win, and we were so close against Scotland two weeks ago with some might say we deserve the win.

Hopefully we can improve on that performance and give the fans something to cheer for.

Image source, BBC Sport

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We may only be in the fourth game week, but France can wrap the title up a week early if things go their way.

To keep their championship hopes alive, Andy Farrell's Ireland need a big win over Wales on Friday.

But should Ireland win without a bonus point, or lose, Les Bleus would need any sort of victory in Edinburgh to secure the title.

A bonus-point win at Murrayfield for Fabien Galthie's side, who have won every game with maximum points so far, is enough to claim the crown regardless of other results.

If France lose but pick up at least a point, or Scotland win without a bonus point, Galthie's side remain in control given their superior points difference.

A Scotland bonus-point win and nothing for the visitors would leave Gregor Townsend's side in a position to win the title by claiming another maximum-point win in their final match against Ireland in Dublin.

It's been a case of the bad, the ugly and the good for Wales so far, who are without a win in this year's Six Nations but a much-improved performance against Scotland gives them room for optimism heading to Dublin.

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Here's how Wales have fared in this year's competition.

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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has "lost the argument" over the future of the professional game, says a group of politicians.

Delyth Jewell MS has written to WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood after he appeared before the Senedd's sport and culture committee last week.

Committee chair Jewell admitted Welsh rugby is in a "perilous state" but urged the governing body to find an alternative approach or risk "losing the soul" of Welsh rugby.

"No programme of change can be achieved without building a consensus for change," she wrote., external, external

"It is clear that the Union does not have the consensus needed to move forward with the proposal to reduce the number of regional sides from four to three."

The definition of split loyalties. Who will be smiling at full-time?

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Image source, Getty

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Aviva Stadium

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Can Ireland back up their Twickenham heroics?

That's the biggest question facing Andy Farrell's side tonight.

Farrell this week said he doesn't like the word 'rotation', so we'll call it shuffling the deck.

Maintaining the strong Ulster flavour to Ireland's tournament, Farrell has packed seven of the province's finest into his matchday squad. The last time that happened was against the United States in 2021.

With Rob Baloucoune enjoying a breakout campaign on the right wing, the onus is on Jacob Stockdale to deliver on the opposite side.

Stockdale struggled at full-back against France, but with James Lowe injured, the stage seems set for the 2018 player of the tournament to remind Farrell of his game-changing abilities.

It's a sold-out game. It's Friday night, under the lights. Ireland have momentum, Wales have a point to prove. Let's hope this one kicks off the weekend in style.

It's been a mixed bag for Ireland so far, but they still have an outside shot at catching France if results go their way.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ireland's story so far...

Two more chapters to be written.

Three down, two to go.

Here's a look at how things stand in the table.

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

BBC iPlayer

On BBC iPlayer, you can watch the BBC documentary: Ben Youngs Investigates: How Safe Is Rugby?

In the programme, England's most-capped men's player sets out to re-examine the game that has defined his life. Is there a link between concussion and long-term brain health?

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Gareth Rhys Owen is joined by former Wales winger Alex Cuthbert, former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman and rugby journalist Alex Bywater to preview Ireland v Wales and look back on the weekend's URC action.

Click here to listen to the full episode