The returning Dan Lydiate plays No 6 for Wales and will join forces in the back row with Justin Tipuric at openside flanker and Taulupe Faletau at No 8. There’s a blend of youth and experience in the backs, with Halfpenny at full-back, with young Rees-Zammit and Hallam Amos on the wings. Rees-Zammit and Johnny Williams, at inside centre, both make their Six Nations debuts.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Johnny Williams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins
Four changes for Ireland: James Lowe (wing) and Garry Ringrose (outside centre) are back, with Hugo Keenan selected at full back in the absence of Jacob Stockdale. With Caelan Doris out, the back row see CJ Stander play at No 8, Josh van der Flier coming in to the team at No 7, and Peter O’Mahony at No 6.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton (c), Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Will Connors, Jamison Gibson-Park, Billy Burns, Jordan Larmour