Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts will both start for Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
Ireland have made a late change to the team to play Wales at the Aviva stadium on Sunday
Updated 23rd January - There have been several enforced changes to the Ireland senior and the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds squads.
The Ireland team management today announced squads for both the senior Ireland team and the upcoming O2 Ireland Wolfhounds game as preparations begin for the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
It was the boot of Ronan O’Gara that once again sealed the victory for Ireland in Rome this afternoon. As he has done on numerous occasions in the past, O’Gara entered the game late on in the second half as a replacement for Jonny Sexton to slot over a neat drop goal with two minutes left on the clock.
Declan Kidney had opted to stick with the same starting XV that had done the business against England in Twickenham on Ireland’s previous outing. On the bench, Rob Kearney returned from his injury enforced layoff but Geordan Murphy, after a stunning performance against England, held onto the number fifteen shirt.
Wales would be without the services of Ryan Jones who was replaced in the back row by Gareth Delve who was into the team to earn his 10th cap since debut in 2006.
England 16 - 20 Ireland
If ever the weight of expectation was pressing down on two teams it was these too as they prepared to go head to head at Twickenham in round three of the RBS Six Nations.
Martin Johnston’s men had been under siege from the British media who one feels were quietly sharpening their blades.
Gay Paris, may be the eternal city of love, and this may be Valentines eve but no love was lost when Ireland and France went head to head in the French capital. The Baltic conditions paved way for the frosty reception Ireland received especially from French scrumhalf Parra who it is alleged accused the Irish of cheating, adding an extra edge to this occasion... as if it was needed.
