Ireland will go looking for a third win out of four Six Nations matches when they host Wales on Friday night.
After losing on the opening evening to France, a grinding win over Italy restored some faith, but few expected the Irish to outclass England with such ease.
Wales received heavy losses at the hands of England and France, but were unlucky in their three-point defeat to Scotland.
The market is stacked against them, but Steve Tandy's side are impoving at a rate that suggests they can keep it competitive at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland vs Wales Betting Tips
- Wales +25.5 @ 27/25
- Jack Conan to score a try @ SP
- Rhys Carre to score a try @ SP
Browse Ireland Vs Wales Betting Markets
Visitors appear undervalued in the market
Wales + 25.5 @ 27/25 https://www.leovegas.co.uk/betting#event/1025628877
Ireland are 1/100 in the market and are expected to extend Wales’ current 14-game losing run in the Six Nations.
However, after their awful showing against England, there have been signs of improvement and Tandy's side were unlucky to lose by three points to Scotland, potentially running out of gas in the final quarter.
A fortnight to prepare means they should be ready and raring to go against an Ireland side sporting five changes, with Andy Farrell using this game to build depth.
Wales have also made three alterations but are developing decent combinations and in prop Rhys Carre, have a player with the size to be unstoppable near the line.
Ireland only won by nine points in Cardiff in 2025, and while the three previous matches were comfortable, the margins of those victories were 22, 24 and 24 points.
Wales can get within that deficit on Friday.
Conan can have an impact
Jack Conan to score a try @ SP
Jack Conan is one of the five players to come in for Ireland, packing down at blindside flanker.
A starter in the British & Irish Lions' last six Test matches, he has rarely been a regular for Ireland but a player Farrell is happy to fall back on.
The back-rower had more of an impact role in 2025, yet scored two tries off the bench against Scotland and France.
He also crossed on his only start, which, handily, came in Cardiff.
Conan got a try against Italy but missed out at Twickenham due to illness and may feels he needs a performance after again losing his starting role.
Big carrying Carre could cross again
Rhys Carre to score a try @ SP
Welsh rugby fans may have been brought up on tales of sweeping attacking tries, but their great sides have also always had plenty of grunt to allow them to dominate the opposition.
There was a time when fitness concerns meant Carre's size counted against him but he has worked hard on his conditioning and now has a licence to empty the tank before being replaced before the 50 minute mark.
He has scored barrelling tries from close range against both France and Scotland.
On both occasions, his fellow forwards had ground down their opponents to get close enough to the line for Carre to barge over.
Wales will be foolish not to attempt similar moves in Dublin, and while Ireland will know it is coming, stopping the 28-year-old may prove problematic.