Wales vs. Ireland: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Six Nations 2015 Preview
Ireland's hopes of defending their Six Nations title will be put to the sword on Saturday as Joe Schmidt's side prepare to face Wales in a meeting of old enemies.
Warren Gatland's men play host to the Irish having won their last two matches since losing to England in Week 1, and the Millennium Stadium promises to be an intimidating venue for Saturday's guests.
Wales themselves can stake a claim on this year's title should they be able to beat their Week 4 opponents, where a win would see them draw level on points with Schmidt's table leaders.
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Read on for preview ahead of the Cardiff clash, along with full viewing information to ensure you don't miss a minute of the drama.
Date: Saturday, March 14
Time: 2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. ET
Live Stream: BBC Sport website (UK), SuperSport stream (SA)
TV Info: BBC One (UK), SuperSport 1 (SA)
Grand Slam Decider
Six years on from their last Grand Slam triumph—and their first in the expanded Six Nations—Ireland have the opportunity to replicate the feat in 2015, with Wales the largest obstacle remaining in their path.
With no disrespect to the Scots, many will consider Ireland's unbeaten tournament as good as rubber-stamped if they emerge as victors in Wales, and deservedly so.
If the wins over Italy and France were grisly, even ugly in nature, their 19-9 romp past England in Week 3 was a much finer account of what this Irish side is capable of producing.
However, Wales centre Jamie Roberts is eager to see to it that Racing Metro team-mate and Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton isn't permitted any sort of rhythm on Saturday, per ESPN Scrum:
"Johnny is the commander-in-chief of their team. He is a clever player, a very, very good player and a guy we need to stay a few seconds ahead of on Saturday. We are good mates now in Paris, but he is a guy who demands high standards, and there is nothing wrong with that.
He has got Ronan O'Gara as his mentor in Paris, who is passing on a lot of information to him and helping him develop into a wonderful player.
"
While paying his Racing compatriot due respect, Roberts also touches on his desire to earn redemption for recent defeats to the Irish, not least of which was their Grand Slam-sealing result in Cardiff in 2009.
BBC Sport commentator Eddie Butler recently looked back on that result, analysing where the game was won and lost between two of the Six Nations' most decorated outfits:
Another victory this weekend would earn close to the same celebrations out of Ireland fans, and although coach Schmidt would never admit it, 90 percent of their Grand Slam desires come down to Saturday's result.
The reigning Six Nations champions showed in Weeks 1 and 2 that they can perform under par and still earn results, summoning some of their best rugby against England, just when it mattered most.
With tournament lives on the line, Wales will force the Irish to produce at their optimum once more this weekend, where anything less from Schmidt's lineup may not be sufficient.
Sam Warburton: Captain Fantastic
The major headlines for Saturday's stellar clash understandably relate to the two teams under the spotlight, but Wales flanker Sam Warburton has reason for individual celebration.
The clash against Ireland will see Warburton captain his country for a record 34th time, eclipsing the record once held by Ryan Jones, who hailed the work ethic of his former team-mate in his Wales Online column this week:
"Sam Warburton surpasses my Wales captaincy record by leading the nation for a 34th time. And he fully deserves to set the new benchmark. With Sam appointed captain at such a young age and having seen how his career has developed, he was always destined to make his own history.
My record is something I’m incredibly proud of and I will be just as proud to be the second most capped skipper, even if it does not quite have the same ring to it!
"
Warburton's tenure as captain has come under fire during his years as leader, but any such doubts will be shelved this weekend as the back-row icon looks to maintain his place as a crucial part of Gatland's lineup.
The 2013 British and Irish Lions captain will care not for any such personal recognition, however, as stopping Ireland will be the only priority in his mind, precisely the attitude that makes Warburton such a fine figure to follow.
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