Ireland v Wales: Teams

Rory Best: Passed fit to face Wales

Ireland have been buoyed by news Rory Best will be fit to tackle Wales in the RWC quarter-final in Wellington on Saturday.

Best damaged the AC joint in his shoulder in the pool win over Italy but he has responded well to treatment to take his place in the Ireland side.

And team-mate Jamie Heaslip admits the news is a big boost for the Ireland squad.

"It's great Rory's available because he's one of the senior players in the team," said Heaslip.

"He's an influential player and his darts in open play are great."

With Best declared fit, Ireland are able to name the same 22 that beat Italy as they look to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Recalled

Wales have experience of playing in the last four, having gone on to finish third in the inaugural tournament in 1987.

And coach Warren Gatland has recalled Shane Williams, Jonathan Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Lydiate for the clash.

Williams and Lydiate have been passed fit and replace Lee Byrne and Ryan Jones, while Jones and Jonathan Davies come into line-up for Bradley Davies and Scott Williams.

The inclusion of Williams has forced a shuffle of the back three, with George North switching from the left to the right wing and Leigh Halfpenny starting at full-back.

On the bench, James Hook gets the nod ahead of Stephen Jones after returning to full fitness.

Ireland: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Andrew Trimble.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Lloyd Burns, 17 Paul James, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams