WALES HAVE ANNOUNCED their starting line-up for Sunday’s Six Nations opener with Ireland.
Coach Warren Gatland had delayed making the call in order to assess the fitness of a number of his players who were looking to shake of various injuries ahead of the match at Lansdowne Road.
And at a press conferences this afternoon, the New Zealander named his starting XV.
Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts were concerns but both have been given the go-ahead while flanker Dan Lydiate, who was seen as a major doubt, misses out and is replaced by Ospreys Ryan Jones.
“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,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland on WalesOnline.co.uk.
“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 mood.”
Wales team v Ireland: L Halfpenny, A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North, R Priestland, M Phillips, R Gill, H Bennett, A Jones, B Davies, I Evans, R Jones, S Warburton (c), T Faletau.
Replacements: K Owens, P James, A Powell, J Tipuric, S Williams, L Williams, J Hook.
