Ireland vs. Wales: Six Nations 2026 – A Clash at the Aviva
Ireland will seem to maintain momentum in the Six Nations Championship when they host Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, March 6, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 8:10 PM GMT. Following a convincing 42-21 victory against England at Twickenham, Andy Farrell’s side aims to capitalize on home advantage against a struggling Welsh team.
Match Details
- Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
- Time: 8:10 PM GMT
- Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 in Ireland, with coverage beginning at 7:00 PM. Viewers in the UK can watch on ITV, and those in Wales can tune into S4C. Live coverage will also be available through The Irish Times live blog.
Current Six Nations Standings
As of March 2, 2026, France leads the Six Nations table with 15 points from three wins. Scotland is second with 11 points, followed by Ireland in third with 9 points. England and Italy have 5 points each, while Wales sits at the bottom with 1 point.
Recent Meetings
Here’s a look at the last five meetings between Ireland and Wales:
- Wales 18 – Ireland 27 (Principality Stadium, 2025 Six Nations)
- Ireland 31 – Wales 7 (Aviva Stadium, 2024 Six Nations)
- Wales 10 – Ireland 34 (Principality Stadium, 2023 Six Nations)
- Ireland 29 – Wales 7 (Aviva Stadium, 2022 Six Nations)
- Wales 21 – Ireland 16 (Principality Stadium, 2021 Six Nations)
Team News
Andy Farrell will announce his starting 15 on Wednesday. Bundee Aki returns to the squad following suspension, providing a boost to the Irish midfield. Leinster players Jimmy O’Brien and Robbie Henshaw are also back in contention after recovering from injuries. James Lowe has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a groin injury. Harry Byrne has been ruled out with a concussion, and Cormac Izuchukwu continues his graduated return to play protocols.
Refereeing Team
Karl Dickson (RFU) will officiate the match, assisted by Nika Amashukeli (GRU) and Damian Schneider (UAR). Andrew Jackson (RFU) will serve as the Television Match Official (TMO).
Wales’ Situation
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow has been ruled out of the trip to Ireland due to an ankle injury sustained against Scotland. Despite a narrow 26-23 defeat to Scotland, Wales has struggled in recent times and hasn’t secured a Six Nations win since 2023.
Ireland’s Prospects
Ireland is heavily favored to win at home, potentially securing a bonus point against a Welsh side facing significant challenges. While Wales showed signs of improvement against Scotland, Ireland is expected to maintain its strong form and compete for the championship title.