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Six Nations: Ireland v Wales First Round Preview

The first Sunday of the 2016 RBS Six Nations sees holders Ireland walk out against the red dragon of Wales, looking to build upon their 2015 heroics. Total Sport brings you all the vital information and stats you need to know ahead of Joe Schmidt's men in green taking on Warren Gatland's Wales.

Where is the match being played?: Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

What day is the match?: Sunday, February 7

What time is kick off?: 3.00pm

Who is the referee?: Jerome Garces (FFR)

Who are the assistants?: Glen Jackson (NZRU) and Ben O'Keefe (NZRU)

Ireland and Wales statistics

Ireland’s only defeat at RWC2015 came in the quarter finals to Argentina.

Joe Schmidt starts his third RBS 6 Nations campaign having carried off the title in the previous two.

Ireland’s only two defeats under his tenure were away to England in 2014 and on a trip to Wales last season.

Ireland have won their last five matches at Aviva Stadium in the RBS 6 Nations since drawing there 13-all with France 2013. Their only defeat in the Championship at the venue since the opening round of 2012 was to England in 2013.

Ireland have lost only once in round 1 of the RBS 6 Nations since 2004: to Wales at Aviva Stadium in 2012.

Wales have lost their two most recent test matches at RWC 2015, in a pool game to Australia and the quarter-final to South Africa.

Wales have begun the RBS 6 Nations with an opening weekend defeat in four of the last six years but in 2013 they still went on to take the title and last season they won their remaining four matches.

Wales have won their last five games played on opposition turf and in last season’s RBS 6 Nations won all their three away games, in Scotland, France and Italy.

The two countries met in two World Cup warm up games last year with each winning away from home.

Wales have won three times in Dublin in the RBS 6 Nations, doing so at the old Lansdowne Road in 2000, at Croke Park in 2008 and at Aviva Stadium in 2012.

Previous meetings

The valiant Welsh were able to keep their Six Nations hopes alive in 2015, after overcoming the seemingly unstoppable green wave of the Irish. The Millennium Stadium played host to remarkable 23-16 Welsh victory and got the world of rugby debating whether the red dragon could defy odds and claim silverware; silverware which ultimately ended up in the hands of the Irish.

What the best of the highlights of that infamous clash below: