Wales vs Ireland time, TV channel, live stream, lineups, betting odds for 2023 Six Nations match

Wales and Ireland kick off the 2023 Six Nations at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with both sides looking to get their respective campaigns in this World Cup year off to a winning start.

The same opening weekend fixture in the 2022 edition saw current world number-one side Ireland put Wayne Pivac's Wales to the sword, posting a commanding 29-7 victory in which the visitors' only points came in the final five minutes.

That first match of the year largely set the tone for both sides over the next 12 months, with Ireland going on to finish second behind France in the Six Nations before achieving a 2-1 Test series victory over the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time in their history. An unbeaten autumn featuring wins over South Africa, Fiji and Australia followed, with Andy Farrell's men finishing 2022 as the world's top-ranked side.

☘️ The test that awaits against Ireland...#WelshRugby | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/meSjZkPiUb

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) January 31, 2023

By contrast, Wales fell into a downward spiral that ultimately cost coach Pivac his job. A 20-17 victory over Scotland in their next game was as good as it got for Wales in the 2022 Six Nations, with England and France sneaking past them before a late Italian surge saw the Azzurri win it at the death in Cardiff. That victory for Italy was their first in the championship since 2015.

After a summer tour defeat to South Africa, Wales' autumn campaign appeared to be make-or-break for Pivac, and it proved to be the latter. New Zealand thumped them 55-23 in Cardiff, and Georgia recorded their first ever victory over a Tier 1 nation, either side of Wales beating Argentina. Their final match of the year, against Australia, resulted in Wales surrendering a 21-point lead to lose 39-24 to the Wallabies. This loss, a record-breaking points turnaround, was the straw that broke the camel's back for Pivac, and he left his post as head coach within 10 days.

In Pivac's place comes Warren Gatland, who held the reins of Wales between 2007 and 2019. Back in the fold, the four-time Six Nations winner now has the task of reversing Wales' wretched run of form, and preparing them for the Rugby World Cup at this year's end.

ROG loved a match-winning drop goal in Cardiff! 😍#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/lU5UAE1Ksf

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 2, 2023

MORE: How France won the 2022 Six Nations

Wales vs Ireland kick-off time

Wales host Ireland in the Six Nations Championship at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The game kicks off at 2:15 p.m. GMT on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Here's the kick-off times for this game around the world:

Wales vs Ireland live stream, TV channel

Here is how to watch the match in some of the major territories:

USA: All games are streaming live on Peacock and will also be available through fuboTV. However, they will also be repeated on CNBC on delay, usually by a couple of hours. 

Canada: All games are streaming live on DAZN.

UK: Matches will be shown on BBC and ITV, with S4C also broadcasting in Wales.

Australia: Six Nations coverage is provided by Stan Sport.

India: Premier Sports Asia is the main place to watch the Six Nations.

MORE: A history of the Six Nations, 'Rugby's Greatest Championship'

Wales vs Ireland confirmed lineups

The second Gatland era sees several experienced players return to the fold, with a sprinkling of promising youngsters brought into the side. Eighty-six-cap hooker Ken Owens has been appointed as the side's new captain, while Alun Wyn Jones, George North and Dan Biggar all start, each adding to over 100 caps respectively.

It's been far from plain sailing in the build-up to this game though, with Scarlets full-back Leigh Halfpenny being a late withdrawal from the side. Liam Williams will replace him at the back for Wales, and joining him is exciting centre Joe Hawkins, who impressed on debut against Australia and will be looking to lay down a marker in making Wales' No. 12 shirt his own.

Wales starting XV: Liam Williams, Josh Adams, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, Jac Morgan, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau

Wales replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Rhys Webb, Owen Williams, Alex Cuthbert

🏉 A #GuinnessSixNations debut on the cards for @WelshRugbyUnion's @JoeHawkins121 this weekend 🙌#U20SixNations | @ospreys pic.twitter.com/G1JOJsvcIK

— Six Nations Under-20s (@SixNationsU20) January 31, 2023

Ireland's fast first-half start to this fixture in 2022 saw centres Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose both cross within 10 minutes of each half. For this year's match, Stuart McCloskey will play at inside centre instead, pushing Aki to the bench. Mack Hansen, who won man of the match on his Ireland debut in the reverse fixture, also features in the backline, which will be directed around the field by Jamison Gibson-Park and the ever-dependable Johnny Sexton.

Our first line up of 2023! 🟢#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 2, 2023

Ireland too have had to make late changes, with the world's best tighthead prop, Tadhg Furlong, forced out by injury. Finlay Bealham replaces him up front, with Furlong's namesake and fellow World XV of the year occupant Tadhg Beirne packing down in the second row. He'll do so alongside James Ryan, while current World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier is on the openside flank.

A first Six Nations start for Fin! 🙌#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/UMb1HfMG75

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 2, 2023

Ireland starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Ireland replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Ross Byrne, Bundee Aki

MORE: How to play the Six Nations Fantasy Rugby Game

Wales vs Ireland odds

It's looking like a tall order for Wales to get anything out of this game, according to the bookmakers. Sky Bet and BetMGM have Wales at 9/4 and 21/10 respectively to win in Cardiff, with Sports Interaction and Ladbrokes both offering longer odds for the hosts to defeat Ireland. An Irish victory has much shorter odds amongst the bookies.