Ireland v Wales in the Six Nations: Kick-off time, TV details and team news

Can Farrell's side maintain their momentum and continue on a winning run or will the Welsh upset the party with a win in the captital?

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Ireland v Wales in the Six Nations: Kick-off time, TV details and team news. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

After a short break the Guinness Six Nations is back this weekend and Ireland welcome Warren Gatland's Wales to Dublin.

Andy Farrell's men will be looking to continue on their winning ways after two wins over France and Italy while Gatland's side are still in search of their first win after coming agonishingly close to in their first two fixtures against Scotland and England.

Can Farrell's side maintain their momentum and continue on a winning run or will the Welsh upset the party with a win in the capital?

Here is all you need to know ahead of the clash.

Where is the game being played?

This is Ireland's second home game at the Aviva in this year's competition.

What time is kick-off?

The game kicks-off at 2.15pm on Saturday February 24.

Where to watch?

The game is being shown live on RTÉ2 from 1.20pm. The alternative option, and a recommended one at that, is to join Adrian Russell from around the same time on the Irish Examiner Sport Six Nations live blog.

Who is the referee?

Andrew Piardi from Italy will be the man in the middle for the clash. Piardi will make history as he becomes the first Italian to take charge in a Guinness Six Nations encounter. 

Piardi is one of three referees who are making their Six Nations debut, along with France's Pierre Brousset and England's Christophe Ridley.

The Championship will see a total of 15 referees representing eight nations to take charge of the 15 matches.

Eight assistant referees will also make their Championship debuts including Scotland's Hollie Davidson. 

Team news

Warren Gatland has released his side to face Ireland and has made one change to the side who lost to England in Twickenham. Fly-half Sam Costelow comes in after the Scarlets number 10 went off in their opening clash against Wales with a neck injury. He replaces Ioan Lloyd who drops to the bench.

George North is in line to win his 120th cap and is only the third Wales player to reach the milestone after Alun Wyn Jones and Gethin Jenkins. 

Ireland will announce the team to take on Wales on Thursday February 22 at 2pm. 

Wales (v Ireland)

: C Winnett, J Adams, G North, N Tompkins, R Dyer, S Costelow, T Williams, G Thomas, E Dee, K Assiratti, D Jenkins (C), A Beard, A  Mann, T Reffell, A Wainwright.

Replacements: R Elias, C Domachowski, D Lewis, W Rowlands, M Martin, K Hardy, I Lloyd, M Grady