Wales vs Ireland Six Nations

Wales are set to host Ireland at the Principality Stadium in the Six Nations Championship. Interim head coach Matt Sherratt, stepping in after Warren Gatland’s recent departure, has made eight changes to the Welsh lineup, including handing Ellis Mee a debut and bringing Gareth Anscombe back in. Ireland, under Simon Easterby, remain unbeaten and are on course for a third consecutive title. They’ve made seven changes, one being the decision to introduce Jamie Osborne at full-back. It should make for an intriguing contest.

Here's a look at all the key details for the upcoming Six Nations rugby match between Wales and Ireland:

Date: Saturday 22nd February 2025

Time: 14:15 GMT

Location: The Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales

Where to Watch: BBC One, BBC iPlayer, Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Player, and S4C

On this page, you can find a range of Six Nations betting odds and markets for the encounter between Wales and Ireland, alongside information about both teams, key players, and the head-to-head record between the two sides.

If you want to bet on the Six Nations game between Ireland and England, there are plenty of different markets to choose from:

• Match Betting – This Six Nations betting market allows you to bet on which team you think will win the match or the overall end result. It’s important to bear in mind that with this type of bet, a tie is included as a possible outcome.
• Handicap – With a handicap bet, one team (the underdog) is given a points advantage, and the other (the favourite) will start with a points disadvantage, as shown in the betting market. For example, a bet on Ireland -23.0 against Wales means they must win by at least 24.0 points for the bet to come in.
• Total Points – The total points bet revolves around predicting how many points you think will be scored during the game. This is presented as over or under a pre-set number, such as 51.5.
• Double Chance – As the name suggests, double chance bets allow you to bet on two of the three possible outcomes in the match, such as an Ireland win or a tie.

Of course, all of the other popular rugby betting markets remain active, too, including halftime/full-time, first-half betting, and many others.

Ireland are the favourites to win against Wales in their upcoming clash. They’re on course for a third consecutive Six Nations title, having already secured wins over England and Scotland in the tournament. Despite injuries to key players, Ireland’s squad depth allows them to field a strong side with experienced replacements. Jack Conan will come into the team, and Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the first time.

Wales, on the other hand, are in a transitional period, with interim head coach Matt Sherratt making eight changes after a record 14 consecutive defeats. They continue to struggle with consistency, compared to Ireland, who are producing wins regularly at the highest level, and this makes the visitors the clear favourites in this contest.

When we look at the Six Nations betting odds, Ireland are favoured by 23.0 points in this affair. The 3-way handicap sits at -23.0, while the 2-way handicap sits at -22.5.

Wales and Ireland’s history in the Six Nations Championship dates back to their first encounter in 1882. Over 135 matches between the two teams, Wales have 70 victories to their name, Ireland 58, and there have been seven draws. Historically, Wales dominated in the early years, but in recent decades, things have balanced themselves out.

In the past five Six Nations meeting leading up to 2025, Ireland have held the upper hand, winning four out of five encounters. Ireland achieved a decisive 31-7 victory in Dublin during the 2024 tournament. Wales’ sole recent triumph came in 2021, in a closely contested 21-16 win in Cardiff, where they managed to capitalise on an early red card issued to Ireland’s Peter O’Mahony. This underlines Ireland’s ascendancy in the rivalry ahead of this upcoming match.

When looking at the past 10 meetings between the two teams, Ireland have recorded 8 victories, proving their continued dominance in recent times:

• For Wales: Gareth Anscombe

Gareth Anscombe will be Wales’ key player in their Six Nations clash against Ireland. The experienced fly-half has been recalled to the squad by interim head coach Matt Sherratt, and his ability to control the tempo of the game will be crucial. Anscombe’s kicking, game management, and composure under pressure provide Wales with much-needed leadership. Against an in-form Irish side, his accuracy from the tee and ability to unlock Ireland’s defence will be essential in keeping Wales competitive. With Ireland expected to dominate possession, Anscombe’s decision-making will determine Wales’ attacking efficiency and defensive organisation. Wales will need Anscombe to come up big.

• For Ireland: Dan Sheehan

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan is set to play a pivotal role in their match against Wales. With captain Caelan Doris sidelined due to injury, Sheehan will step in and take the captaincy, marking his first time leading the national team. Despite recently returning from a serious knee injury, Sheehan has displayed leadership qualities that have been recognised by interim head coach Simon Easterby. Sheehan’s responsibilities will extend beyond his usual front-row duties. His ability to inspire and coordinate the team will be crucial if Ireland are to maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament. His performance as a player and captain will be instrumental in this contest.

If you want to bet on the Six Nations encounter between Wales and Ireland, BetVictor is the place to be. We have a huge range of rugby union odds and Six Nations betting markets to choose from, with each game being available from within our extensive sportsbook. 

As soon as each match gets underway, you can find coverage over on the in-play betting page, with odds and statistics updating in real time. Furthermore, the BetVictor offers page is loaded with different bonuses, many of which can be used on sports betting markets, including all Six Nations matches.