Wales v Ireland - Player profiles of the Wales starting XV

We run the rule over the Welsh selection

15 Leigh Halfpenny
Age: 28.
Height: 5'10".
Weight: 87kg (13st 9lbs).
Caps: 69.
Points: 594.

At one point the best placekicker in the world but he’s shown signs of fallibility in that respect and turned down a shot at goal in the Scotland match. He’s under pressure to rediscover his best.

14 George North
Age:
24.
Height: 6'4".
Weight: 109kg (17st 2lbs).
Caps: 67.
Points: 140.

He can be a little impetuous in defence as was seen the last day against Scotland but with the ball in hand is such a huge threat going forward; another looking for his best form.

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13 Jonathan Davies
Age:
28.
Height: 6'1".
Weight: 103kg (16st 3lbs).
Caps: 62.
Points: 65.

A hugely experienced Lions Test centre; he is strong and powerful and will be a real physical handful. He’s not quite the dominant player of his peak at the moment.

12 Scott Williams
Age:
26.
Height: 6'.
Weight: 100kg (15st 10lbs).
Caps: 44.
Points: 50.

Keeping Jamie Roberts out of the team having played in all three of the November Tests. He has finesse to go with power.

11 Liam Williams
Age:
25.
Height: 6'2".
Weight: 87kg (13st 9lbs).
Caps: 41.
Points: 40.

As befits a player who plays his club rugby at fullback, he is good in the air and an excellent counter-attacker, so Ireland can’t afford to kick loosely.

10 Dan Biggar
Age:
27.
Height: 6'2".
Weight: 93kg (14st 9lbs).
Caps: 54.
Points: 295.

Strong, combative on the gain-line with a fine kicking game, if Wales are to win then he will have a sizeable influence. He’s very good in the air off his own kicks.

9 Rhys Webb
Age: 28.
Height: 6'.
Weight: 92kg (14st 6lbs).
Caps: 26.
Points: 35.

His battle with Conor Murray could have ramifications that stretch into the summer. He is strong and very sharp around the fringes with a fine try scoring ratio.

1 Rob Evans
Age:
24.
Height: 6'1".
Weight: 116kg (18st 4lbs).
Caps: 15.
Points: 5.

Back for the Six Nations after missing the November Tests with a wrist injury. He has played against Ireland three times with a record of one win, one draw, one defeat.

2 Ken Owens
Age:
30.
Height: 6'.
Weight: 108kg (17st).
Caps: 48.
Points: 15.

He has a blemish free record of 33-0 in terms of his lineout throws in the tournament to date something that Ireland will be looking to disrupt in every sense.

3 Tomas Francis
Age: 24.
Height: 6'1".
Weight: 128kg (20st 4lbs).
Caps: 20.
Points: 0.

He made his Test debut against Ireland in a 2015 World Cup warm-up match and over the past year or so has taken over from Samson Lee as the first choice tighthead.

4 Jake Ball
Age: 25.
Height: 6'7".
Weight: 119kg (18st 10lbs).
Caps: 24.
Points: 0.

Another to make his debut against Ireland (2014), injury has limited his availability since then. He is the Welsh lineout caller and has held off a challenge from a fit again Luke Charteris.

5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt)
Age:
31.
Height: 6'6".
Weight: 118kg (18st 8lbs).
Caps: 108.
Points: 45.

A strong contender for the Lions captaincy his leadership credentials – after the penalty-gate issue the last day – will be examined thoroughly. An outstanding player; insinuating his way into opposition mauls a speciality.

6 Sam Warburton
Age:
28.
Height: 6'2".
Weight: 103kg (16st 3lbs).
Caps: 72.
Points: 25.

The former Lions captain is an integral part of an athletic backrow and has been a consistent lineout option for Wales in the tournament to date.

7 Justin Tipuric
Age:
27.
Height: 6'2".
Weight: 100kg (15st 10lbs).
Caps: 49.
Points: 20.

Reaches the 50-cap landmark in appearances, an excellent operator, quick, strong, good over the ball and possesses excellent hands and lines of running.

8 Ross Moriarty
Age:
22.
Height: 6'2".
Weight: 107kg (17st 11lbs).
Caps: 15.
Points: 10.

He was outstanding in the game against England putting in some ferocious tackles and carrying hard. Less effective against Scotland in the second half when the game speeded up.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer