Ireland announce XV to face Wales in crucial Six Nations clash at Aviva

Andy Farrell has named his troops

Ireland, who recovered from their thumping opening-night defeat in France, edged past Italy in round two and then put in a fantastic display at Twickenham to see off England in round three.

That sets up a potentially mouth-watering Triple-Crown decider against Scotland next week, but Wales stand in their way on Friday night.

Cheltenham Free To Play Predictor: Receive €5 free bet each day and win share of €1,000 jackpot!

Playing JOE x BOYLE Sports' Free To Play Predictor game for the Cheltenham Festival is simple - we’ve picked out one horse running in each of the first five races every day of Cheltenham, and all you need to do is decide if it will Win, Place or finish Unplaced!

Farrell has named Jack Conan in the starting XV, while Jacob Stockdale is also back after an under-par performance in France last month.

Jack Crowley is favoured again at 10, while Nick Timoney gets his start

Bundee Aki is not named on the bench despite his return from suspension, while Nathan Doak is set for his Test debut, and Michael Milne is back on the bench.

Ireland XV: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Nick Timoney, Caelan Doris (capt).

Ireland Replacements: Tom Stewart, Michael Milne, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Nathan Doak, Tom Farrell, Ciarán Frawley.

Wales make three changes

Meanwhile, Wales have made three changes to the side that lost to Scotland in round three.

James Botham, Dan Edwards and Ellis Lee come in for Taine Plumtree, Sam Costelow and Gabriel Hamer-Webb.

Wales XV: Louis Rees-Zammit; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Tomas Francis; Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter; Alex Mann, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright.

Wales Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Adam Beard, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Loue Hennessey.