The 2025 Six Nations Championship is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, with the round of fixtures set to deliver some thrilling rugby. One of the standout matchups in the competition will be the clash of the Celts: Ireland vs Wales.
Ireland enters the match with high hopes of continuing their recent dominance, while Wales will be looking to upset the odds and make a statement in Dublin. With both squads packed with talent, it promises to be a thrilling contest from start to finish.
The match is set to take place at 15:15 UK on Saturday February 24th and will take place at Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the recent clashes between Ireland and Wales, what to expect from the two squads in 2025, and offer our prediction for the game.
If you’re a rugby fan looking to make the most of this exciting match, we’ll also touch on the betting odds for the encounter, where punters can find an array of markets over at Tonybet.
Recent Six Nations Clashes
When it comes to recentSix Nations history, Ireland has enjoyed a dominant run over Wales in their last few encounters. Looking back at the most recent match-ups, Ireland has consistently come out on top, and in some cases, they’ve delivered impressive, comfortable victories.
In the 2024 Six Nations, Ireland thumped Wales 34-10 at the Aviva Stadium, showcasing their dominance in front of a sold out crowd. The victory was one of the highlights of Ireland’s Grand Slam campaign, who went on to secure their fourth-ever Grand Slam title.
The Irish forwards were particularly dominant, with a controlled and efficient performance that kept Wales at bay throughout the match. Wales, for their part, struggled to break down the Irish defence, and despite one or two promising moments, they never seemed able to threaten Ireland’s supremacy.
In the 2023 Six Nations, Ireland also beat Wales, this time 29-7 in Cardiff. The game was a statement of intent from the Irish, as they showed their attacking prowess and defensive resilience to put their opponents in their place.
From the start, Ireland were in complete control, building pressure and taking advantage of key Welsh mistakes. Wales failed to generate enough changes to challenge Ireland’s growing dominance, which left them leaving the field beaten and embarrassed.
Looking further back, Ireland’s record in the Six Nations against Wales has been increasingly one-sided. With the Irish team improving year-on-year under the guidance of head coach Andy Farrell, their results against Wales have been more convincing, which is why the Irish are one of the favourites to win this year’s competition.
While Wales still pose a threat in this tournament, it’s safe to say that Ireland’s recent performances against them have given them a strong psychological edge.
Ireland Squad 2025
As we look ahead to the 2025 Six Nations, Ireland is in a great position with a squad that boasts a wealth of talent across all areas. The squad has a blend of experienced players as well as fresh faces, making it one of the most exciting lineups in recent years.
One of their standout players to watch is Johnny Sexton, who, despite being in the latter stages of his career, continues to be one of the best fly-halves in world rugby.
Sexton’s leadership and tactical kicking are key to Ireland’s game plan, and his ability to control the tempo will be crucial against Wales as well as other nations in the coming weeks.
Tadhg Furlong is another name to be familiar with. Furlong is one of the most dominant props in the world, and will be a cornerstone of Ireland’s scrum and forward play. His ball-handling skills and physicality make him a key figure to keep tabs on, both in the set-piece and open play.
Ireland’s backline is packed with quality players as well. Josh van der Flier, the 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, will continue to be a key defensive – and attacking presence – in the breakdowns.
Caelan Doris, another talented forward, will look to provide a strong carrying presence and make those key yards for Ireland when they need it most. In the backs, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw provide a powerful midfield duo, combining strength, vision, and creativity.
Perhaps one of the most exciting players in the 2025 squad is James Lowe. The powerful winger has been consistently impressive for Ireland in recent years.
Lowe’s combination of speed and strength makes him a lethal try scorer on the flank, and he will certainly be a player other competing nations will need to keep an eye on. Stopping him, however, will be a difficult task for the Welsh.
With so much talent across the field, Ireland fans enter this tournament with high expectations, and their heroes will no doubt look to maintain their dominant form from the previous year.
Wales Squad 2025
On the other side of the coin, Wales will be hoping to bounce back from recent struggles and put together a stronger campaign this time round.
The Welsh squad has undergone many changes in recent years, and while they have a talented pool of players, they’ve remained inconsistent which has held back any kind of progress. That said, when they click, Wales can be a dangerous opponent, and they will be hoping to give Ireland a tougher challenge in Dublin than the bookmakers believe.
One of the standout players for Wales is Dan Biggar. The experienced fly-half and captain, Biggar has been at the heart of Welsh rugby for years, and his tactical kicking and leadership will be key to Wales’ chances.
Alongside Biggar, Gareth Thomas, a rising star in the Welsh backline, will also be one to watch. The explosive full-back has the ability to break open defences and is always a threat when attacking in space.
Up front, Wales will rely on the physicality and experience of players such as Ken Owens and Alun Wyn Jones. Owens, a stalwart of the Welsh pack, will bring leadership and set-piece expertise, while Jones, one of the most capped players in rugby history, will provide the presence needed in the tight exchanges.
The back row, including Taine Basham, Ross Moriarty, and Aaron Wainwright, will be crucial in disrupting Ireland’s flow and providing a strong defensive effort.
While Wales has a squad with individual talents, their clash against Ireland looks to be a bridge too far. The Welsh pack will need to find ways to dominate the set-piece and provide a solid platform for Biggar to control the game.
Ireland’s forwards have proven themselves to be some of the best within the sport, and so Wales will have to raise their game to compete at that level.
Prediction for the H2H Clash
Looking at Tonybet’s odds, it’s clear that Ireland enters the match as the favourites and leaving the field without the win would surely be one of the biggest shocks of the entire tournament. Their recent form, combined with a well-balanced squad, makes them comfortable favourites to win with ease.
Ireland are 1/66 to win the match, and the Handicap line is priced -23.5 at evens for Ireland to win by 24 points or more. That line seems to be well-priced considering they won by 24 points last year, yet 23 back in 2023. Are Ireland better than they’ve been in recent years? Many will argue the case that they are.
Wales will need to play out of their skins in order to remotely challenge Ireland. If Ireland’s forwards dominate, as they have in recent games, it’s hard to see Wales keeping up with their pace and intensity – and this is where Handicap bettors will potentially be rewarded.
Wales’ best chance lies in disrupting Ireland’s rhythm and finding some form of attacking spark that can break through their defence. However, with Sexton’s experience and Ireland’s dominant pack, they are very much expected to come out on top.
To stay up to date with the latest odds for this match and the entire Six Nations tournament, it’s best to check out Tonybet. They offer a wide range of betting options, from match outcomes to player performances, ensuring fans can enjoy the match while landing a winner at the same time.
So, whether you’re backing Ireland to continue their strong form or hoping Wales can produce a massive upset, the game is sure to set the tone for the tournament. Make sure to stay updated on the latest odds with Tonybet, and get ready for what should be a fantastic match in this year’s Six Nations.
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