Six Nations: With a trip to Wales next on the Six Nations agenda, there were no curve balls when Declan Kidney announced his team this afternoon. The Ireland coach has named the same personnel that took to the field against Scotland with the bench also unchanged.
With little or no injury concerns among his frontliners to contend with, Kidney was always likely to tinker as little as possible.
The continued absence of Stephen Ferris meant there was no hard calls to make in the backrow, while Ronan O'Gara's man-of-the-match performance in Murrayfield keeps Jonathan Sexton among the replacements.
Although Tomas O'Leary has returned to training following the back strain that kept him out of the Scotland match, Saturday's match will come too soon for him with Eoin Reddan once again preferred at scrumhalf and Peter Stringer providing cover on the bench.
Ireland secured the Grand Slam on their last visit to the Millennium Stadium in 2009 but go into this weekend's match struggling for consistency. Excellent in periods, handling errors and indiscipline have put paid to their title aspirations with all of their matches decided by three points or fewer.
While that has been coronary inducing for the Irish support, Kidney is expecting another close run thing this weekend.
"There's not a whole lot between us and Wales at the moment," said Kidney. "Obviously going to Cardiff is always a daunting task, we have a huge game ahead of us. There was nothing in it two years ago, there was literally that one kick of the ball between the two sides.
"These lads play against each other maybe three times a year, at least twice in the Magners League and again at this level. The fact that they know each other so well means space is going to be at a premium and it will be one of those games where the side that takes the chances that arise will come out on top."
After a decidedly patchy campaign to date, Ireland go into the match at the Millennium Stadium as underdogs. but Brian O'Driscoll isn't reading too much into the bookies' predictions.
"We don't pay too much attention to who are the favourites and underdogs," explained the Irish captain. "It's going to be a very close game. Both sides have had mixed form in this Six Nations but everyone is aware that if the teams click they can both play a lot of rugby."
Wales also named their side this afternoon with James Hook set to make his second Six Nations start at outhalf. Hook, who wore the number 10 shirt and guided Wales to victory over Scotland at Murrayfield last month, replaces Stephen Jones.
Jones is on the bench, with fit-again Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies returning to midfield alongside Jamie Roberts after Hook deputised for him against Italy 10 days ago.
One other change from Rome sees a recall for Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny, who is preferred to the unlucky Morgan Stoddart, a try-scorer against England and Italy.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has otherwise retained the team that triumphed at Stadio Flaminio, which means scrumhalf Mike Phillips and number eight Ryan Jones both winning their 50th caps.
Despite Wales yesterday reporting a number of injury niggles, Gatland brought forward his team announcement by 48 hours to today.
He will choose two from three back-five forwards - Rob McCusker, Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas - after fitness checks on Thursday, while there is a confirmed place among the substitutes for Sale scrumhalf Dwayne Peel.
Gatland will break the Wales coaching record of 35 Tests in charge on Saturday, eclipsing Alan Davies’ mark. Ireland have only lost once in Cardiff since 1983.
Gatland said: “This is a crucial game for us as a win will keep us in the championship mix and take us into that final round with everything still to play for. But it is also a big game for Ireland, who are in a similar position to us going into this match.”
Addressing the outhalf issue, assistant coach Robin McBryde challenged Hook to justify the faith shown in him. McBryde said: “The debate at outhalf will continue long after the Championship is over, but we have gone for James on this occasion.
“James provides a running threat and we will be looking for him to show he can control the game as well and help us play in the right areas.”
Of Halfpenny’s recall, McBryde added: “Leigh had a good run out for the Blues at the weekend, we know all about his pace and what he offers around the field as well as being solid under the high ball and giving us a long-range kicking option.
“Morgan misses out, but he has done nothing wrong and we know he can be relied on if we need him from the bench.
“We also have a vast amount of experience in Stephen (Jones) and Dwayne to call upon if necessary. Both have proved in the past that they can come on and make an impact and neither will let us down.”
Wales: L Byrne; L Halfpenny, J Roberts, J Davies, S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; P James, M Rees (capt), C Mitchell, B Davies, A-W Jones, D Lydiate, S Warburton, R Jones. Replacements: R Hibbard, J Yapp, D Peel, S Jones, M Stoddart, plus two from R McCusker, A Powell and J Thomas.
Ireland: L Fitzgerald, T Bowe, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, K Earls, R O'Gara, E Reddan, C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S O'Brien, D Wallace, J Heaslip. Replacements: S Cronin, T Court, L Cullen, D Leamy, P Stringer, J Sexton, P Wallace.
