So that's it from Steve Tandy who sounds in positive mood after that last display against Scotland.

But let's not forget, they're still bottom of the Six Nations and heading to Dublin to face an rejuvenated Ireland side now chasing a possible title - and certainly a Triple Crown.

Tandy has been forced into two changes with Dan Edwards and James Botham replacing injured duo Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree while there is also a reacll for wing Ellis Mee.

And Friday night could be a special moment for uncapped centre Louie Hennessey who is named on the bench.

Remember you can get all the latest Six Nations news on the BBC Sport website and we will also bring you live text coverage of Friday night's match.

Image source, Getty Images

Wales have not won a Six Nations game in Dublin since Leigh Halfpenny's late winning penalty in 2012.

"Dublin is a massive challenege but it's exciting," said Wales head coach Steve Tandy.

"There were a lot of tough lessons from the England game but we've seen incremental growth in each game, to France and then to Scotland.

"The [Cardiff] crowd were amazing for us, especially that last game when it was one of the best atmospheres I have experienced.

"It will be great to see if we have learned those lessons of playing in England when we go to Ireland.

"The boys are starting to grow in confidence around what they are doing. They are always speaking about they can win even more moments in ther game and then back that up.

"Now we will see if we can back it up in Dublin."

Louie Hennessey is set to make his Test debut on Friday night.

Here's why Steve Tandy has picked him among the replacements: "Louie is a big, athletic man and nothing seems to faze him. He's got a great attitude.

"He had a start up at Leicester and it just didn't faze him. He has outstanding work-rate

"Lots of young players in the game are quite quiet but Louie has animation and confidence in the way he speaks. He's got that about him.

"He really drives himself hard and you see that in training when he's hard on himself. He wants to be the best.

"He was unfortunate to have a bump on his hand when he came into camp and that has held him back until now. But the way he has gone about his rehab has been impressive.

"He deserves his opportunity and I think he's got huge future."

Ireland were supposed to be in crisis early in this Six Nations after being soundly beaten by France on the opening night on the back of defeats to New Zealand and South Africa in the autumn.

That was followed by a less-than-convincing display against Italy before they came roaring back against England.

"Top level sport means so many people start calling a small bump a crisis," said Tandy.

"But Ireland have outstanding players and coaches and so much experience in their group.

"They have players used to playing in big Test matches, European finals and Lions tours.

"Even if you have a little bump in the road, they have the experience and know-how to draw upon come straight back.

"They have been so consistent for so many years."

Reflecting on that crucial try by Scotland's Darcy Graham straight from Finn Russell's kick-off that turned the game two weeks ago, Wales head coach Steve Tandy is asked whether he had had to remind James Botham about kick-offs.

"Touch wood we never do that again," he chuckled.

"It was a big lesson for us all to learn.

"Jim [Botham] was in and around the situation but it's about the whole team being smarter in those moments. You can't be caught facing the other way.

"It was great thinking by Scotland but we need to be smarter to be a top Test team."

There were reports last night that Wales number eight Aaron Wainwright might be ruled out of this Friday's game.

The Dragons forward took a knock to his leg against Scotland.

But head coach Steve Tandy insists - who has been among Wales' most consistent performers - is fine to start at the Aviva Stadium.

Tandy said: "Aaron had a had bump from Scotland and didn't train much last week but he has trained fully this week and is fine."

Asked if this team can win in Ireland, Tandy said: "We're still developing and we're at point we can be competitive. If we do what did against Scotland we will be in the game to get result we want.

"But we need to remember that one good performance where we stacked good moment (against Scotland) does not mean will get a result automatically.

"We have to back it up and that's the next challenge in our development.

"We learned some big lessons from going to England and the emotional control against Ireland is a different stress point and part of our growth."

Tandy on the return of Ellis Mee: "Ellis is growing daily in training whether it's starting points, communication and his aerial skills are outstanding.

"I think we're really developing strength and competition in the wings."

On Wales' fly-half options, Tandy said: "Dan [Edwards] was disappointed obviously but he has responded really well in training. Maybe it has given him a fresh energy and we want to create that competition for places.

"Jarrod [Evans] did well off the bench and is giving that competition."

Here's Wales head coach Steve Tandy.

Click play now to hear from Tandy on his team selection against Ireland.

In a moment you can watch Steve Tandy's press conference live from the Wales team's HQ at the Vale Hotel. Just click play at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been quite a couple of weeks for Wales prop Rhys Carre.

A try-scorer against both France and Scotland after forcing his way back into the starting Wales team, he has also signed a new deal with Saracens.

The 28-year-old loosehead has made 39 appearances for Sarries, including 15 this season after returning from Cardiff las summer summer.

"I'm thrilled to be staying at the club and I can't want to see what the future has in store for us," he told the club's website, external.

And we can't wait to see of Carre can make it an historic hat-trick of scoring appearances against Ireland on Friday.

That would surely be a record? I'll start looking through the history books.

Gareth Rhys Owen
BBC Radio Wales commentator

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert joked on the Scrum V podcast that James Botham had taken some friendly ribbing from team-mates after being caught up in the lapse around Finn Russell's quick restart for Darcy Graham's try.

But he was otherwise dynamic, industrious and effective against Scotland.

So in a way he has both credit in the bank and a point to prove

We want to hear your views about the team and anything Welsh rugby related by using the 'Send us your view' box on the page.

But as a very simple response, hit the thumbs below to say whether you are generally happy with the team - or not.

As a reminder, here's the Wales team to face Ireland:

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, Williams; Carre, Lake, Francis, Jenkins, Carter, Mann, Wainwright, Botham.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, Beard, Cracknell, Hardy, Evans, Hennessey.

Wales attack coach Matt Sherratt believes they can make their mark against Ireland in the Six Nations on Friday night.

Wales were narrowly beaten by Scotland in Cardiff in their third game of the tournament, but showed signs of progress.

And Sherratt is confident they can carry that momentum into the encounter in Dublin.

Ireland attempt to secure part two of a Triple Crown in Dublin on Friday night while Wales hunt an upset in their bid to avoid a third successive Six Nations wooden spoon.

Steve Tandy's side are huge underdogs with few expecting them to end the streak before their final weekend fixture against Italy in Cardiff.

Here's how you can follow Friday's game across the BBC.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ireland name their team this afternoon and are unlikely to make dramatic changes to the Twickenham XV, even if they have been given some good selection news.

Centre Bundee Aki is available after a ban for "verbal abuse and disrespect" in Connacht's United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat to Leinster.

He is back with the squad along with fellow centre Robbie Henshaw and outside back Jimmy O'Brien, who both returned from injury for Leinster at Cardiff last Friday.

However, fly-half Harry Byrne suffered a head injury in the opening stages of that fixture at the Arms Park after being released for game time, so will sit out round four.

A 2023 victory over Italy in Rome was the last time Wales savoured that winning feeling in the Six Nations and while predictions the losing streak will end in Dublin on Friday are thin on the ground, Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell insists "we don't expose ourselves" to such discourse.

The Irish approach remains the same, less concerned about what the opposition will bring and more about "getting excited to do our thing".

Read more from the Ireland camp here.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Ireland are massive favourites thanks to their impressive win at Twickenham, that after there were some question marks because of a thrashing by France and slightly fortunate win against Italy.

Here is the view from former Ireland and Leinster hooker - and Dragons boss - Bernard Jackman.

Jackman said on Scrum V podcast: "We were very happy to see the performance at Twickenham, it certainly shocked a lot of us because there has been a bit of doom and gloom in Irish rugby.

"We'd like to think that Twickenham was a performance that kick starts everything again and gives us confidence, self belief and playing with energy.

"We go into Friday with a lot more hope and confidence but until we string two or three performances together there is still a little bit of fear that this team is over the hill."