ONLINE
Live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app from 2pm.
RADIO
Live commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 with Michael Corcoran and Donal Lenihan.
TV
Live coverage on Virgin Media One from 2pm, highlights on Against the Head, RTÉ2, Monday 8.10pm
WEATHER
Sunday in Cardiff is expected to be cloudy and cold with a north-easterly wind. There is the possibility of sleet from the northeast. Temperatures are set to peak at three degrees Celsius.
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STEP TWO FOR FARRELL
While 2020 was a year of transition, this year will be all about making tangible progress for Andy Farrell's regime.
Last year saw a consistency of outcome in a sense - generally having enough in the tank to beat Wales, Scotland and Italy but a clear inferiority when faced with the elite sides England and France.
But that calendar year increasingly highlighted issues like lineout malfunctions which crept into the Irish play when previously it had rather been a source of strength under the Joe Schmidt regime.
So it's no coincidence that Paul O'Connell has been drafted into Farrell's coaching staff to look after the forwards.
Given how recently he was brought in, the fruits of the former Ireland and Munster captain's expertise at set-piece and maul may not be felt immediately when the team take to the field at Principality Stadium on Sunday but expect to see tangible progress on that front as the Six Nations wears on.
While Caelan Doris' absence against Wales will be a blow, Ireland generally have the key performers available for selection - Jacob Stockdale's injury-enforced absence aside - although some like Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong in particular have had their fair share injury issues in recent weeks and months.
A couple of new faces are in the squad with Munster scrum-half Craig Casey the most talked-up, having beaten Ulster's John Cooney for a spot in the selection.
WALES UNDER PRESSURE
Like Ireland, Wales' 2020 was also about transition under a new head coach with Wayne Pivac succeeding Warren Gatland.
However, it was a bumpier experience for the Welsh in comparison, with a string of chastening defeats across the spring and autumn including twice at the hands of Ireland, the only wins coming against Italy and Georgia.
Unlike 2020 when both fixtures were in Dublin, Wales will host Ireland on Sunday but without the advantage of a crowd due to the pandemic and with the growing pressure to start delivering results against direct rivals.
Some experience has been drafted back in like Dan Lydiate, but former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has poured some cold water on the back-row's potential impact, telling RTÉ's Game On: "I'm not sure about Dan Lydiate to be honest, I think his best years are behind him and I wouldn't have any bother saying that to his face."
TEAM NEWS
Tadhg Beirne has beaten Iain Henderson to the starting second row spot, while Leinster wing James Lowe makes his Six Nations debut after his Autumn Nations Cup bow against the same opponents.
Tadhg Furlong who made his provincial return last week after a lengthy absence is on the Irish bench, while Josh van der Flier replaces Doris in a reconfigured back row and Hugo Keenan pips Jordan Larmour to the starting 15 jersey.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton (Capt), 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.
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 (captain); Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Rhodri Jones, Leon Brown, Will Rowlands,Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Callum Sheedy, Nick Tompkins.
ENGLAND AND FRANCE LOOK TO PUSH ON
While Ireland and Wales close off the opening weekend, tournament favourites England and France show their hand on Saturday with fixtures against Italy and Scotland respectively.
Both have injury issues to overcome at the start of the Six Nations with France without Romain Ntamack and Virimi Vakatawa missing the early stages of the tournament and England seeing some withdrawals in the front five.
But both should emerge victorious from the opening weekend's action as they tune up for a tilt at the title.
Follow Wales v Ireland (kick-off 3pm) on Sunday via our live blog on RTE.ie and the News app or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport. Highlights on Against the Head, Monday at 8.10pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
