It's going to be a massive game at Aviva Stadium this weekend, and this is the team selected by Wales coach Warren Gatland as he looks to nab a win over Ireland.
With both sides winning on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, the meeting of Ireland and Wales in Dublin on Saturday is poised to be the sporting occasion of the weekend.
With England and Scotland both losing, the Triple Crown, and maybe even the Grand Slam, could come down to the result of this game. Yes it is early days, but this game could be that decisive.
And while we expect the build up to be laced with frequent mentions of Warren Gatland, Brian O'Driscoll and the third Lions Test, today we will focus on the Wales team he has just announced.
Then big news is the return to the starting line-up of Sam Warburton, who also resumes the captaincy. Gethin Jenkins also returns while injury to Luke Charteris sees Andrew Coombs come into the second row.
Wales were far from fluid against Italy on Saturday but they got the win and you also got the sense that they were only operating in second gear. We expect them to be at full throttle this Saturday.
Wales team to play Ireland: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (CAPT – Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams (Scarlets).
