Wales, who play Ireland in the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, have made three changes to the team that beat Italy in Rome 10 days ago.

James Hook returns to fly-half in place of Stephen Jones, after playing in the centre in Rome. Jonathan Davies returns to the centre, facillitating the change at No10, and Leigh Halfpenny is named on the wing instead of Morgan Stoddart. The Scarlets wing, who scored tries against England and Italy, has been dropped to the bench.

Matthew Rees, the incumbent captain, is fit to start at hooker and the Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel is on the bench instead of Tavis Knoyle. Warren Gatland has named eight replacements and either Rob McCusker, Andy Powell or Jonathan Thomas will not make the bench as a back-five forward replacement.

Wales team to play Ireland

L Byrne (Ospreys); L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), J Roberts (Blues), S Williams; J Hook, M Phillips; P James (all Ospreys), M Rees (Scarlets, capt), C Mitchell (Ospreys), B Davies (Blues), AW Jones (Ospreys), D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Warburton (Blues), R Jones (Ospreys). Replacements: R Hibbard (Ospreys), J Yapp (Blues), D Peel (Sale), S Jones (Scarlets), M Stoddart (both Scarlets). Plus two from: R McCusker (Scarlets), A Powell (Wasps), J Thomas (Ospreys)