Six Nations: Jamie Heaslip back as Ireland name team to face Wales

Jamie Heaslip is back in Ireland's starting line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff.

The British and Irish Lions No 8 replaces Jordi Murphy in Ireland's only change from the 19-9 victory over England for the Millennium Stadium trip.

Heaslip suffered three cracked vertebrae in Ireland's 18-11 victory over France on February 14 - after a knee to the back from France lock Pascal Pape which earned him a 10-week ban - and had feared his tournament was over.

But the 31-year-old has made a quick recovery and is fit for a match where victory will leave Ireland on the brink of a second Grand Slam in seven years.

Heaslip said: "It was an injury where I had to go day-by-day and every day was getting really, really good and I progressed really well.

"We mapped out a really good, clear plan, in terms of ticking the boxes in recovery and I have ticked them along the way and now I'm good to go.

"It's great to be back, it's not the easiest of things to stand on the sidelines being held on a leash a little bit, that was probably for my own good, but it's great to get the opportunity to wear the jersey again."

Fly-half Johnny Sexton has overcome a hamstring problem to start, while Jared Payne and Sean O'Brien are clear to play after concussion scares.

Captain Paul O'Connell will win his 100th Ireland cap, equalling Mick Galwey's record as the nation's oldest Test skipper at exactly 35 years and 145 days.

Sexton and prop Cian Healy can both notch their 50th Ireland caps against Warren Gatland's side, with Ireland buoyed by their record of just two defeats in Cardiff since 1983.

Leinster’s Healy once again takes a seat on the bench, with his club-mate Jack McGrath holding onto the starting loosehead berth.

Ireland can set a new record of 11 consecutive Test victories on Saturday, and leave themselves with just Scotland to beat to complete the Grand Slam in the process.

Should Scotland beat England at Twickenham and Ireland see off Wales, head coach Joe Schmidt's side would retain their Six Nations crown with a round of the competition still remaining.

The Millennium Stadium roof will remain open for Saturday's game after Wales assistant coach Rob Howley confirmed the decision has been made not to close it.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Paul O'Connell (capt), 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.