Ellis Mee Returns to Wales Starting Line-Up for Ireland Match
Wing Ellis Mee is set to return to the Wales starting line-up for Friday night's Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin. The Scarlets back will replace Gabriel Hamer-Webb at the Aviva Stadium, while 21-year-old uncapped Bath centre Louis Hennessey could make his debut from the replacements bench.
Mee, 22, is one of three starting changes from the 26-23 defeat by Scotland, with fly-half Dan Edwards and flanker James Botham coming in for the injured Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree. There is also one positional switch, with Alex Mann moving from open-side flanker to blind-side to accommodate Botham.
The Cardiff pair will pack down in the back row alongside in-form number eight Aaron Wainwright, who has been named in the side despite reports of a fitness concern. Montpellier lock Adam Beard and Leicester number eight Olly Cracknell are recalled to the bench, with Freddie Thomas and Blair Murray dropping out of the squad.
Background and Team Changes
Ellis Mee started against England and France in the first two rounds but missed out against Scotland, when Hamer-Webb made his Test debut. The Leicester wing showed flashes of promise but was also involved in the try by Darcy Graham that was created by Finn Russell's quick thinking from a restart. The Scotland and Lions fly-half exploited the space left by former Cardiff back Hamer-Webb after he had chased Jarrod Evans' successful penalty kick.
Murray came on for Hamer-Webb when he suffered an early nose injury and then was a permanent replacement for the final quarter. Mee, who is strong in the aerial game, gets the nod for Dublin.
Botham came on in the first half of the game against Scotland and was an impressive performer, although he was also caught out by Russell's restart. Ospreys fly-half Edwards, who had started seven matches before being dropped against Scotland, will pull the strings after Costelow's bright display was ended by an ankle injury. Harlequins' Jarrod Evans is again a replacement, having been used off the bench five times by Tandy while not starting a Test match since 2021.
Coach Tandy on Team Selection
"There are a couple of enforced changes this week due to injury and then Ellis had played well in the opening couple of rounds, so we feel he deserves the opportunity again," said Tandy.
Hennessey, who has played centre and wing for Bath, is in his second campaign with Wales after being an unused member of the squad in November 2025.
"Louie was unfortunate not to get his opportunity in the autumn, but he's trained well," said Tandy.
"He had a bit of a bump on his hand at the start of this campaign, but the way he's recovered and put performances in the training environment has been very impressive. We're all excited to see Louie go out in Dublin."
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Wales Aim to End Six Nations Losing Streak
Coach Tandy will ask his players to build on their encouraging performance against Scotland as they seek to cause an upset and end a 14-game losing run in the Six Nations that stretches back three years. Wales have suffered 24 defeats in 26 internationals and have not beaten Ireland away in the Six Nations since 2012 or achieved a victory in Dublin since 2015.
The Irish suffered an opening round defeat by France in Paris but have since beaten Italy and England to keep alive their title hopes, while also being in contention for the Triple Crown.
"This week it's about backing up the performance against Scotland," said Tandy.
"Going away from home is a different type of environment for our group, but the focus for us is improving on what we did last game.
"I thought the defence against Scotland was much improved, so we definitely want to double down on that going to Ireland.
"You see how they keep the ball in possession, they play lots of passes so we know we're going to have to build and improve from the other week."
Wales Team to Play Ireland
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, D Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Botham, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Hennessey.
