Warren Gatland is determined his own personal duel with Irish rival Eddie O'Sullivan does not overshadow Wales' Triple Crown challenge at Croke Park on Saturday.

The Kiwi was sacked as Ireland coach in controversial circumstances seven years ago and replaced by O'Sullivan, the man he originally appointed as his assistant.

The sores of that episode are still not fully healed but Gatland was anxious to emphasise the positives today as he announced his team for the Dublin showdown.

Gatland went on to win three Premiership titles and the Heineken Cup with Wasps before leading Waikato to the New Zealand provincial championship.

And he travels to Croke Park with his Wales team unbeaten on the top of the RBS 6 Nations table, one step away from the Triple Crown and in the box seat to win the championship.

"This weekend is not about me. I have been lucky enough to have gone back to Lansdowne Road with Wasps and beaten Munster in the semi-final of the 2005 Heineken Cup. That is all out of my system now," said Gatland.

"My ambition at the time was to take Ireland to the 2003 World Cup and then go back to New Zealand - but if it had not happened I wouldn't have had the chance to go to Wasps.

"When I left Ireland I had eight job offers in the space of two weeks and one of them was the opportunity to go to Wasps. That proved a great decision.

"I am quite happy with the way my rugby path has gone."

Nevertheless, there appears to remain a lingering bitterness about the way he was treated, with O'Sullivan seen in many quarters as the architect of Gatland's downfall.

Gatland himself said this weekend: "The Irish RFU said to me Eddie was available and it was completely my decision to appoint him.

"The number of people who said: 'Don't touch him, don't go anywhere near him, don't touch him with a barge pole' was huge.

"But you have to back your own judgement about people and their ability. I did that and sometimes in life you get burned."

The pair have only met once in the last seven years and exchanged no more than pleasantries when their paths crossed at the official launch of the Six Nations.

But O'Sullivan was also keen to play down the rivalry and said: "My relationship with Warren is fine. I haven't seen him in six-and-a-half years and I spoke to him for about 30 seconds during the Six Nations launch.

"I don't think it adds any extra spice. It's a game of rugby - the Six Nations between Wales and Ireland. We happen to be coaching the teams. It makes great lines for the press but if you ask the players it's about winning the game. If we get caught up in anything other than that it would be very foolish.

"We must focus on the job. We both want to win the match because it's a Six Nations game. I'm not interested in anything else."

Saturday's clash at Croke Park has the potential to be the game of the tournament with Wales, unbeaten and improving, against an Ireland side who appear to have climbed out of their World Cup dip.

The Triple Crown, currently held by Ireland, may be on the line after Wales' victory over England at Twickenham and Scotland at home.

But Gatland insisted: "We go there as underdogs. Ireland are a fantastic side, they've been a top five team in world rugby for a number of years.

"They have lost only one game at Croke Park, in the dying minutes against France, and it will be an intimidating place. We must not be daunted by the task at hand.

"You only have to look at the number of caps they have throughout the side to recognise they will be a major force to be reckoned with."

Gatland has identified Ronan O'Gara as Ireland's chief threat and as a result he has opted for the steady, controlling hand of Stephen Jones at fly-half instead of the maverick youth of James Hook.

"In Ronan O'Gara they have someone who can direct the game and really hurt opponents. If we don't keep a tight rein on him it could be a long day for us," Gatland explained.

Jones will have a new half-back partner after Mike Phillips, who started the first two games and impressed off the bench in the 47-8 win over Italy two weekends ago, was preferred to Dwayne Peel.

The other three changes all came in the pack, with Alun-Wyn Jones restored to the second row in place of Ian Evans after recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the win over England.

Huw Bennett returns at hooker while Adam Jones regains the tight-head prop role
from Rhys Thomas.