Wales coach Gatland names an unchanged team to face Ireland
Wednesday 11 March 2015 10:12, UK
Wales head coach Warren Gatland has named an unchanged team for Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash with unbeaten title favourites Ireland in Cardiff.
Gatland sticks with the starting line-up that beat France 20-13 in Paris 10 days ago, a result that kept Wales' hopes alive of landing a third Six Nations crown in four years.
Sam Warburton, who went off after taking a blow to his knee during that win, will break Ryan Jones' record when he captains Wales for the 34th time on Saturday.
Gatland makes two injury-enforced changes amongst the replacements with uncapped Scarlets prop Rob Evans replacing Bath loosehead Paul James, who suffered a fractured thumb during the France game, and Jake Ball takes over from Bradley Davies at lock.
A win for Wales will keep them in the title shake-up, but Ireland are chasing a record 11th successive Test win against all opponents and have only lost twice in Cardiff since 1983 - including a win in 2009 that secured their first Grand Slam since 1948.
Gatland said: "We return to the Millennium Stadium after two tough away trips with two victories, and we will be looking to build on that.
"We saw an improvement against Scotland, and then saw another step up against France, and we know we will need to do the same against Ireland on Saturday.
"Ireland are the form team in Europe, and we know it is going to be a huge battle.
"The changes on the bench mean Rob Evans gets an opportunity.
"We have been impressed with him for his region and at training, and our strength in depth in the second-row is highlighted again as Jake (Ball) comes back into the squad."
Gatland, meanwhile, paid tribute to 26-year-old Warburton, who took the Wales captaincy reins in 2011 and has proved to be an outstanding leader for his country.
"Saturday is a fantastic achievement and honour for Sam," he added. "He has developed into the role fantastically and is a modern-day professional. He is a role model who will continue to get better."
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Luke Charteris, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 8 Toby Faletau.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.
