Ireland v Wales: Teams
Wales have received a double boost ahead of their clash against Ireland with Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland both declared fit.
Last Updated: 03/02/12 5:22pm
Wales have received a significant double boost ahead of Sunday's RBS Six Nations opener against Ireland with World Cup stars Jamie Roberts and Rhys Priestland both declared fit.
Fly-half Priestland and centre Roberts have recovered from knee injuries to take their places in coach Warren Gatland's starting line-up at the Aviva Stadium.
But the team announced by Gatland does not include flanker Dan Lydiate, who is sidelined by an ankle problem, while Saracens prop Rhys Gill makes his first Six Nations start.
Lydiate joins Gethin Jenkins (knee), Luke Charteris (wrist), Alun-Wyn Jones (toe), Matthew Rees (calf strain) and Lloyd Burns (neck) in missing the Dublin trip.
Roberts, meanwhile, has not played since Christmas, while Priestland was hurt during the Scarlets' Heineken Cup victory over Castres a fortnight ago.
But their recoveries provide a huge lift for Gatland as Wales look to repeat their World Cup quarter-final victory of just four months ago over Ireland.
Five changes from Wellington
There are five changes from that game in Wellington, with Alex Cuthbert replacing retired wing Shane Williams, Gill taking over from Jenkins, Bradley Davies and Ian Evans teaming up at lock and Ryan Jones in for Lydiate.
Hooker Huw Bennett will win his 50th cap - only the second Wales hooker to achieve that feat after Garin Jenkins - with Cuthbert starting on the right wing and George North switching wings to wear the number 11 shirt.
Gatland said: "We have been able to retain continuity in some key areas.
"We have been working hard, and we feel we are approaching this match with the right attitude and with some good preparation work done.
"We are two sides who know each other well. Ireland will not have enjoyed losing to us in New Zealand. They will want to redress the balance in Dublin this weekend, but they will find us in just as determined a mood."
Wales have won on just two of their previous six Dublin visits in the Six Nations, while Ireland can claim seven previous victories on the tournament's opening weekend.
Ireland have suffered a late setback with the news that centre Keith Earls will miss the Wales clash due to personal reasons.
Earls had been handed the No.13 shirt in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll for Sunday's repeat of the 2011 World Cup quarter-final.
However the 24-year-old has withdrawn from the squad following the birth of his baby girl - with Ella-Maye having been kept in hospital.
"Keith has been ruled out due to personal reasons," said team manager Michael Kearney.
"Unfortunately his baby has been taken ill and is in hospital as we speak. The nature of the illness is unclear.
Challenge
"However, I did speak to Keith this morning and he was hopeful and optimistic that the baby would get home sometime over the weekend.
"The decision was taken following a conversation between Declan and Keith yesterday.
"It was thought that it was in the best interests of Keith, his partner and their families that Keith remain in Limerick for the weekend."
With Earls, who has scored 11 tries in 26 Tests, ruled out, Fergus McFadden comes into the starting line-up, with Dave Kearney promoted to the bench.
As for the number 10 shirt, Jonathan Sexton has been given the nod ahead of the more experienced Ronan O'Gara.
The pack is identical to the eight that lost 22-10 by Wales in last autumn's World Cup quarter-final with Donncha O'Callaghan holding off the challenge of Donnacha Ryan in the second row.
The only Test debutant in the 22-man squad is Munster back row Peter O'Mahony, who features amongst the list of replacements.
Wales team: L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), G North (Scarlets); R Priestland (Scarlets), M Phillips (Bayonne); R Gill (Saracens), H Bennett (Ospreys), A Jones (Ospreys), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), P James (Ospreys), A Powell (Sale Sharks), J Tipuric (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Perpignan), S Williams (Scarlets).
Ireland team: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), K Earls (Munster), G D'Arcy (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster); J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster, capt), S Ferris (Ulster), S O'Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), P O'Mahony (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), F McFadden (Leinster).
