Wales embark on a new era as they face Ireland in Cardiff under the guidance of interim head coach Matt Sherratt. Tasked with steadying the ship after a torrid run of 14 consecutive defeats, Sherratt has opted for a selection approach based on cohesion and familiarity, making eight changes to the team that suffered a heavy loss to Italy in round two.
Among the key decisions is the return of Gareth Anscombe, who was initially left out of the squad but now slots straight into the starting lineup at fly-half. His inclusion brings much-needed experience and stability, particularly as he links up with Gloucester teammate Max Llewellyn in midfield. Llewellyn, whose strong Premiership form made his earlier omission puzzling, partners with Ben Thomas, who shifts to his preferred inside centre role after being handed the No. 10 shirt in the previous game.
This reshuffle ensures that Wales have a half-back pairing and midfield unit familiar with each other, providing a much-needed sense of structure. Tomos Williams remains at scrum-half, forming a vastly experienced half-back duo alongside Anscombe, while the presence of Taulupe Faletau at No. 8 further reinforces the leadership spine.
In the pack, the return of Nicky Smith and Elliot Dee adds further solidity to the front row, both bringing valuable experience and strong club form. Captain Jac Morgan moves to the blindside flank to accommodate Tommy Reffell at openside, forming a back-row trio that provides Wales with a strong defensive presence.
Beyond the fly-half position, however, the inexperience of the squad is evident. The backline outside the midfield has relatively little Test exposure, with Ellis Mee making his debut on the left wing. A tall and quick prospect from Scarlets, his selection completes an all-Scarlets back three that will look to inject pace and energy into the Welsh attack.
Sherratt has been clear that his priority is selecting a team that can function well together rather than aiming for a dramatic upset against the defending champions. With the majority of the starting team playing club rugby outside Wales, some may lament the lack of domestic representation, but given the current state of the national side, pragmatism takes precedence.
Meanwhile, Ireland arrive in Cardiff in commanding form, with a Triple Crown on the line. Despite making seven changes from their dominant win over Scotland, their depth remains formidable. Captain Caelan Doris is absent through injury, with Dan Sheehan stepping up both as hooker and team leader. His return marks his first start since recovering from an ACL injury, adding to the already formidable Irish pack.
Ireland’s ability to rotate their squad without a significant drop in quality is something Wales once enjoyed, but those days feel distant now. While a Welsh victory remains an unlikely prospect, the energy of a new coach and a selection rooted in logic and form at least gives them a foundation to work from. Against an Irish side brimming with confidence, the challenge remains daunting, but for Wales, the immediate focus is simply regaining some respectability.
