Tandy: ‘We’re going to have to build and improve’ ahead of Ireland clash

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Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named his side to face Ireland in this weekend’s Six Nations clash in Dublin.

James Botham, Dan Edwards, and Ellis Mee are among the starters as Wales look to secure a first win in the competition since 2023.

Opening this year’s competition with heavy defeats against England and France, Wales suffered a narrow defeat to Scotland in Cardiff two weeks ago in what was a much improved performance.

Ireland meanwhile go into the clash, on Friday March 6, on the back of a strong showing against England, who they beat 42-21 at Twickenham.

Tandy said: “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.

“This week it’s about backing up the performance against Scotland. Going away from home is a different type of environment for our group, but the focus for us is really improving on what we did last game.

“I thought the defence against Scotland was much improved so we definitely want to double down on that going to Ireland. You see how they keep the ball in possession, they play lots of passes so we know we’re going to have to build and improve from the other week.”

Lineups

Wales

• 15. Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears)
• 14. Ellis Mee (Scarlets)
• 13. Eddie James (Scarlets)
• 12. Joe Hawkins (Scarlets)
• 11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby)
• 10. Dan Edwards (Ospreys)
• 9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)

• 1. Rhys Carre (Saracens)
• 2. Dewi Lake (C) (Ospreys)
• 3. Thomas Francis (Provence Rugby)
• 4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs)
• 5. Ben Carter (Dragons)
• 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby)
• 7. James Botham (Cardiff Rugby)
• 8. Aaron Wainright (Dragons)

Subs

• 16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
• 17. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)
• 18. Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby)
• 19. Adam Beard (Montpellier)
• 20. Ollie Cracknell (Leicester Tigers)
• 21. Kieran Hardy (Ospreys)
• 22. Jarrod Evans (Harlequins)
• 23. Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby)

Ireland

• 15. Jamie Osborne (Leinster)
• 14. Robert Baloucoune (Ulster)
• 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
• 12. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
• 11. Jacob Stockdalr (Ulster)
• 10. Jack Crowley (Munster)
• 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)

• 1. Tom O’Toole (Ulster)
• 2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
• 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
• 4. James Ryan (Leinster)
• 5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
• 6. Jack Conan (Leinster)
• 7. Nick Timoney (Ulster)
• 8. Caelan Doris (C) (Leinster)

Subs

• 16. Tom Stewart (Ulster)
• 17. Michael Milne (Munster)
• 18. Thomas Clarkson (Leinster)
• 19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster)
• 20. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
• 21. Nathan Doak (Ulster)
• 22. Tom Farrell (Munster)
• 23. Ciaran Frawley (Leinster)