Six Nations 2026: Wales prepare to call up Ellis Mee to face Ireland

Tandy, who named his squad on Wednesday morning, will ask his players to back up their encouraging performance against the Scots as they bid to pull off an upset and end a 14-match losing streak in the Six Nations.

Mee started against England and France in the first two rounds but missed the clash against the Scots, when Hammer Webb made his Test debut.

The Leicester winger showed flashes but was also central to a Darcy Graham try which was set up by Finn Russell’s sharp thinking from a quick restart.

Scotland and the Lions took advantage of the space left by former Cardiff full-back Hammer Webb after he chased down Jarrod Evans’ successful penalty kick.

Blair Murray came on for Hammer Webb when he suffered an early nose injury and then became a permanent substitute in the final quarter, but it is Mee, a stalwart in the air, who is poised to get the nod from Dublin.

Botham came on in the first half of the match against Scotland and put in a solid performance, although he was also suspended for a restart by Russell.

The combative player will join Cardiff team-mate Alex Mann, with number eight Wainwright nursing injury concerns.

Edwards, who started seven matches before losing to Scotland, will take over after Costello’s impressive display was ended by an ankle injury.

Harlequins’ Evans has been used on the bench five times by Tandy and has not started a Test match since 2021.

Wales have not beaten Ireland away in the Six Nations since 2012 and have not achieved a win in Dublin since 2015.

The Irish suffered an opening round defeat to France in Paris, but have since beaten Italy and England to keep their title hopes alive, while they could also win the Triple Crown.