Ireland v Wales preview


Ireland captain Paul O’Connell will return to captain Ireland against on Saturday.
The lock recovered from the chest infection that prevented him from playing against and he takes over from ‘s Dan Tuohy who drops to the bench.
The only other change to the side that started against the Scots sees Gordon D’Arcy replace Luke Marshall at inside centre.
D’Arcy will partner Brian O’Driscoll in the Irish midfield for the 53rd time on Saturday.
Meanwhile, , who eased his way back from a shoulder injury last week by coming off the bench against Italy, will now take over at openside from Justin Tipuric.
Warburton is one of three changes in the pack with Gethin Jenkins coming in at loosehead and Andrew Coombs replacing the injured Luke Charteris in the second row.
Wales began their quest for an historic third title with a 23-15 win over Italy at the Millennium while Ireland claimed a convincing 28-6 success over Scotland.
Ireland: Rob Kearney (Leinster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Gordon D’Arcy (Leinster), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro), Conor Murray (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster); Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Munster, Capt.); Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: Sean Cronin (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Tommy O’Donnell (Munster), Isaac Boss (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster).
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny ( Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), (), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs ( Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, captain), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James ( Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

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