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Ireland Team To Play Wales

Having recovered from the chest infection that prevented him from playing against Scotland, Paul O’Connell returns to captain Ireland against defending RBS 6 Nations champions Wales on Saturday.

Last weekend’s late call-up to the starting line-up, Dan Tuohy, resumes his place on the bench as O’Connell is the only alteration to the pack that started against Scotland.

The only other change to the side that started against the Scots sees Gordon D’Arcy replace Luke Marshall at inside centre.

D’Arcy will partner Brian O’Driscoll in the Irish midfield for the 53rd time on Saturday – extending their world record centre partnership – with Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton named as the half-back pairing.

The back-three that provided two of Ireland’s tries against Scotland is retained with Rob Kearney at full-back and Dave Kearney and Andrew Trimble on the wings.

Highlights from today’s team announcement press conference can be viewed on Irish Rugby TV.

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Wales, 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, February 8, kick-off 2.30pm):

Player/Club/Province/Caps –

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 50
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 51
13. Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) 129
12. Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 76
11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 3
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 39
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 23
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 43
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 71
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 35
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 11
5. Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt) 88
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 20
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 10
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 61

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 31
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 4
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) 1
19. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster) 8
20. Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 3
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster) 18
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 6
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 22