Unchanged Wales squad announced for Ireland encounter

Wales interim coach Rob Howley has named an unchanged squad for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Ireland at Principality Stadium on Friday.

Howley has kept faith on the team despite their 29-13 defeat to Scotland in Round two at Murrayfield Stadium where they conceded 20 unanswered points in the second half. It was also their first defeat to the Dark Blues at the venue since 2007.

Taulupe Faletau and Luke Charteris continue to remain on the bench while George North will form the back-three along with Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams.

Howley said it was important to back the players and give them the confidence after a demoralising defeat to Scotland. Knowing the danger Ireland possess, the 46-year-old is confident that a strong performance on Friday will help the team in their preparations for future.

"We felt it was important the same group of players had the opportunity to go out and perform on Friday, so we have named an unchanged match-day squad.

"Friday night is an opportunity for us.

"There is a lot of experience in our group, and you don't become a bad team overnight.

"We want to show what we can do, and that experience will be very important this week.

"We know we need to be more clinical and we need to execute better under pressure, and we have been working hard on that during the last few weeks.

"Ireland are one of the in-form sides in world rugby and are coached very well and packed with experience, and there are a number of interesting match-ups across both teams.

"We always say we are fortunate to have the best supporters in the world, and we are eager to put in a performance for them under the lights at the Principality Stadium on Friday."

Wales team for Ireland clash:

Halfpenny (Toulon); North (Northampton Saints), Davies (Scarlets), S Williams (Scarlets), L Williams (Scarlets); Biggar (Ospreys), Webb (Ospreys); Evans (Scarlets), Owens (Scarlets), Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Ball (Scarlets), AW Jones (Ospreys, capt), Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Tipuric (Ospreys), Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby).

Replacements: Baldwin (Ospreys), Smith (Ospreys), Lee (Scarlets), Charteris (Bath), Faletau (Bath), G Davies (Scarlets), S Davies (Ospreys), Roberts (Harlequins).

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