Sam Warburton returns to the Wales starting line-up for this Saturday’s Six nations match with Ireland in the Aviva Stadium.
Warburton takes the place of Ospreys’ Justin Tipuric at open-side and will take over the captaincy from Alun Wyn Jones. Warburton is returning from a shoulder injury and made a substitute appearance against Italy last Saturday.
There are two other changes to the Wales team that laboured past Italy for a 23-15 win at the Millenium Stadium. Gethin Jenkins starts at loose-head whiel Andrew Coombs replaces Luke Chateris, who has a hamstring injury, at lock.
Despite predictions that he maybe return from injury, Jonathan Davies does not make the match day squad. Daviers has been out for two months but made a return to action for Scarlets on Saturday.
Warren Gatland spoke of his confidence that his side can improve from their opening day performance against Italy – citing his side’s long running unbeaten record on the road - but admitted his side face a challenge from Joe Schmidt’s Ireland team.
"We haven't lost an away match in the Six Nations since 2011 and we have to have the belief and confidence that we can do it again this weekend.
"It's going to be tough, both sides won their opening game, we will have to be physical and take it to them.
"We feel in most tournaments we get stronger as it goes on and that will need to be the case this weekend."
WALES XV: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (capt - Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams (Scarlets)
Image: Wales' Sam Warburton comes on as a substitute during last weekend's Six Nations game against Italy
©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
