Wales Name Unchanged Team

Sam Warburton will lead an unchanged Wales team against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm) as he enters the record books, captaining his country for a record 34th time.

Sam Warburton will surpass Ryan Jones’ record of 33 matches as captain as Wales look for their third successive victory of this year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The same side that took to the pitch for the 20-13 win in Paris will start the penultimate fixture against the defending champions. There are two injury-enforced changes on the bench with the uncapped Rob Evans and his Scarlets team-mate Jake Ball coming in for Paul James and Bradley Davies respectively.

Gethin Jenkins will earn his 114th cap alongside Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee in the front row. Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones pair up in the second row with Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau lining up alongside captain Warburton.

Ospreys duo Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar continue at half-back with Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies named in the midfield. The back-three sees Liam Williams and George North line up alongside goal-kicking full-back Leigh Halfpenny.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: “We return to the Millennium Stadium after two tough away trips with two victories and 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. Our strength in depth in the second row is highlighted again as Jake comes back into the squad.

“Saturday is also a fantastic achievement and honour for Sam. He has developed into the role fantastically and is a modern day professional. He is a role model that will continue to get better.”

WALES Team & Replacements (v Ireland, 2015 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Saturday, March 14, kick-off 2.30pm):

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon)
14. George North (Northampton Saints)
13. Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne)
12. Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro 92)
11. Liam Williams (Scarlets)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
2. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)
3. Samson Lee (Scarlets)
4. Luke Charteris (Racing Metro 92)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys)
7. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) (capt)
8. Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Replacements:

16. Richard Hibbard (Gloucester)
17. Rob Evans (Scarlets)
18. Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys)
19. Jake Ball (Scarlets)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
21. Mike Phillips (Racing Metro 92)
22. Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
23. Scott Williams (Scarlets)