Wales v Ireland prediction plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of their 3rd round fixture in the 2025 Six Nations.
How To Watch Wales v Ireland
When is Wales v Ireland
2.15 pm, Saturday, February 22nd
TV Channel
BBC 1, S4C
Who are the officiating team?
Referee: Christopher Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)
Where is Wales v Ireland
Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Wales v Ireland Odds – Six Nations 2025
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Wales | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Ireland | 1/33 | 97.1% |
Draw | 50/1 | 2% |
Wales are currently priced as massive underdogs at 10/1 to win this game.
Wales to win – 10/1
Ireland are overwhelming favourites with odds of 1/50 to win. Meanwhile the draw is seen as a 66/1 chance.
Ireland to win – 1/33
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Match Betting Enhanced
Wales @ 12/1
Ireland @ 1/25
Draw @ 50/1
Handicap Betting
Wales: +22 @ 10/11
Ireland -22 @ 10/11
Handicap Draw: + 22 @ 18/1
Bet on Six Nations Odds at BoyleSports
Team News
Wales Team News
🏴 The @WelshRugbyUnion side to take on Ireland in Cardiff 🙌#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/CgVFlc5cr9
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 20, 2025
Ireland Team News
Our line up for Cardiff! 👊#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 20, 2025
Wales v Ireland Preview
Wales’ Form
The Welsh had a miserable 2024 Six Nations campaign losing 5 of their 5 games for a points difference of -51. This meant they earned the unwanted title of being the Wooden Spoon for the second time in the Six Nations era (2003 too) finishing with only 4 points and a considerable 7 back of second from bottom Italy who they were defeated by 21-24.
Ahead of this Six Nations campaign, they had lost 12 successive matches losing to South Africa, and Australia twice in the summer and in November losing 5 points against Fiji before being convincingly beaten by South Africa and Australia again. In their opening match of the tournament, their miserable run extended to 13 defeats when a ruthless France side left them scoreless in a 43-0 demolition at the Stade de France.
Before their round two fixtures against Italy, they went into the game as an unprecedented underdog such was the perception of the team following their miserable run. The odds market was proven correct with Italy winning 22-15 at the Stadio Olimpico which was their third defeat against Itay in the last four meetings.
That defeat was the nail in the coffin for Gatland’s second stint as Head Coach with his first being from 2007-2019 where he guided them to four Six Nations titles and two Grand Slams this time around was less successful after a fourteen-game winless streak.
Cardiff Head Coach and former Wales Assistant Coach Matt Sherratt has taken interim charge of the country for the remainder of the Six Nations.
Ireland’s Form
Their 2024 success in the event was history-making in many senses, their 31-7 win over Wales in their third fixture meant Ireland tied England’s record for consecutive wins with 11 and extended their unbeaten home run to 18. Their defeat of Wales in their final fixture meant they became back-to-back Six Nations outright champions for only the third time in history, emulating the class of 1949 and 2015.
They continued their run of form by playing our a drawn series against World Champions South Africa in July. The Autumn Series commenced with a disappointing 13-23 loss to New Zealand before they concluded the season in style with wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.
In their opening Six Nations fixture, they overcame potential banana skin England (who defeated Ireland last year at Twickenham). The Aviva proved a bridge too far for the English though falling to a 27-22 defeat. While Ireland were fine value for the win they struggled at times to break down a stern English defence and gave up two needless tries in the end to make the scoreline look far closer in retrospect.
In round two Ireland continued their 100% start to the Six Nations overcoming potential banana skin Scotland by a 18-32 scoreline at Murrayfield. It seems like Ireland are getting stronger as the tournament continues under Simon Easterby.
Wales v Ireland Rugby Head-To-Head
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Wales and Ireland have played each other in rugby union since 1882. A total of 135 matches have occurred, with Wales winning 70 times, Ireland 58 times and the remaining seven were draws.
Head-To-Head Results Last Five Matches
2024: Ireland won 31-7 in Aviva Stadium
2023: Ireland won 10-34 in Millenium Stadium
2022: Ireland won 29-7 in Aviva Stadium
2021: Wales won 21-16 in Millenium Stadium
2020: Ireland won 32-9 in Millenium Stadium
Trends
Ireland has won eight of their last ten matches against Wales.
Key Players
Taulupe Faletau – Wales
Welsh Rugby may be in the doldrums but there is a few glimmers of light and one of the best performers in their defeat against Italy was #8 Taulupe Faletau (34) who has represented Wales for over a decade debuting in 2011 and having played 104 times to date racking up 65 points.
Taulupe Faletau anytime tryscorer – 6/1
Though he’s reaching the twilight of his career, he returned against Italy and put in a mammoth effort for his side putting in a shift in both attack and defence. He can be gotten at odds of 6/1 to score a try anytime in the game.
Dan Sheehan – Ireland
In the absence of Doris, Leinster teammate Dan Sheehan (26) has assumed the captaincy role for Ireland with the Hooker after becoming a crucial player for the country since debuting for the Seniors in 2021 he’s played 29 times and racked up 55 points.
Dan Sheehan first tryscorer – 6/1
He was exceptional when coming off the bench against England, and though he had a quieter performance against the Scots he will be crucial for this game. He is priced at odds of 6/1 to be the first-try scorer.
Wales v Ireland Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Wales 6-40 Ireland
Wales may be on a miserable run of form, but they do have some good players and can’t be underestimated by any means, especially at home.
Ireland have a perfect record so far in this tournament but will need to put on a professional showing at the weekend to ensure the win.
Two sides are on entirely different trajectories and levels at the moment so I expect a comfortable away win.
Best Bet: Ireland To Win Both Halves By 12+ Points – 11/4
Ireland To Win Both Halves By 12+ Points – 11/4
Bet on Six Nations Odds at BoyleSports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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