Three Blue and Blacks are set to feature on Friday night as Wales travel to face Ireland in round four of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations at the Aviva Stadium.
Head coach Steve Tandy has made three changes to the starting XV for the trip to Dublin, with two Blue and Blacks included in the back row and Josh Adams continuing in the back three.
James Botham is handed his first start of this year’s Championship at openside flanker, while Alex Mann shifts across to blindside. Aaron Wainwright completes the back row at number eight.
Elsewhere in the side, Dan Edwards is selected at fly-half and Ellis Mee returns on the wing, with both making their third appearances of the 2026 campaign.
Among the replacements, Jarrod Evans is once again included, while Louie Hennessey is in line to make his senior international debut from the bench.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Tandy acknowledged a couple of enforced changes but stressed the importance of maintaining standards following the teams previous round.
“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.”
With a highly anticipated Friday night fixture in the pipeline, Cardiff supporters will be watching closely as their representatives aim to make a statement on the road.
Wales team v Ireland – Guinness Six Nations
- Rhys Carre (Saracens – 26 caps)
- Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 29 caps) captain
- Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 80 caps)
- Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 29 caps)
- Ben Carter (Dragons – 17 caps)
- Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby – 14 caps)
- James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 19 caps)
- Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 65 caps)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby – 70 caps)
- Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 9 caps)
- Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 68 caps)
- Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 9 caps)
- Eddie James (Scarlets – 7 caps)
- Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 6 caps)
- Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 38 caps)
Replacements
- Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 46 caps)
- Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers – 61 caps)
- Archie Griffin (Bath Rugby – 14 caps)
- Adam Beard (Montpellier – 63 caps)
- Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers – 3 caps)
- Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 30 caps)
- Jarrod Evans (Harlequins – 16 caps)
- Louie Hennessey (Bath Rugby – uncapped)