Ireland v Wales - Teams

at Croke Park, Saturday 1.15pm

Last updated: 8th March 2008

Ireland v Scotland February 2008 rob kearney

Kearney: Taking 15 jersey

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Rob Kearney has been named at full-back for Ireland's RBS Six Nations clash with Wales.

Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey have both failed fitness tests so Kearney, 21, comes into the side aiming to prevent the Welsh winning the Triple Crown.

Kearney was originally named on the wing, but will now switch to full-back for the Croke Park clash.

Kearney, a solid defender with a big boot, will win his fifth cap on Saturday and looks to have a long-term future at full-back.

Ulster's Tommy Bowe will move to the left flank, while Shane Horgan has been promoted from the bench to the 14 jersey.

Luke Fitzgerald is called onto the bench meanwhile, as Ireland look to build on their 34-13 victory over Scotland last time out.

Wales

Stephen Jones has been selected ahead of James Hook at fly-half as Wales bid to claim the Triple Crown.

Hook starred against England and started against Scotland, but Jones returned impressively against Italy and has retained his place in the number ten shirt.

However, Jones will have a new half-back partner after Mike Phillips was preferred to Dwayne Peel at scrum-half as one of four changes made by Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

The other three changes all come in the forwards, with Alun-Wyn Jones restored to the second row in place of Ian Evans.

Huw Bennett comes back in at hooker and prop Adam Jones regains a place at tight-head from Rhys Thomas.

Wales are the only unbeaten side in the SIx Nations after wins over England, Scotland and Italy, and only they can secure the Grand Slam this year.

Ireland: 15 R Kearney (Leinster), 14 S Horgan (Leinster), 13 B O'Driscoll (Leinster), 12 A Trimble (Ulster), 11 T Bowe (Ulster), 10 R O'Gara (Munster), 9 E Reddan (Wasps); 1 M Horan (Munster), 2 R Best (Ulster), 3 J Hayes (Munster), 4 D O'Callaghan (Munster), 5 P O'Connell (Munster), 6 D Leamy (Munster), 7 D Wallace (Munster), 8 J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: 16 B Jackman, 17 T Buckley, 18 M O'Driscoll, 19 S Easterby, 20 P Stringer, 21 P Wallace, 22 L Fitzgerald.

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Henson (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), AW Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), D Jones (Ospreys), I Evans (Ospreys), G Delve (Gloucester), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), J Hook (Ospreys), S Parker (Ospreys).