Six Nations 2014: Sam Warburton to Captain Wales Against Ireland
Sam Warburton will return at Wales captain for the Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Head coach Warren Gatland has named the Cardiff Blues open-side flanker, who came on as a replacement against Italy, ahead of his squad's grudge match against the nation who destroyed the reigning champion's Grand Slam dreams in just their first match in the 2013 championship.
Warburton's reinstatement will see Justin Tipuric drop back onto the bench while Gethin Jenkins takes over at loose-head prop and Luke Charteris, out with a hamstring injury, makes way for Andrew Coombs in the second row.
Last week's stand-in captain Alun Wyn Jones, who led Wales to their 23-15 victory over Italy in round one, will remains at lock and could be joined by 22-year-old debutant, Jake Ball, who comes into the squad in place of the suspended Ian Evans.
Wales, a little shaky at times against the Azzuri, will not rest on their laurels against a tough Ireland side at home who come off the back of a dominant 28-6 victory against Scotland at the Aviva stadium.
"It's great to bring Sam and Gethin back into the side and it's a good opportunity for Andrew Coombs to start as well," said Gatland.
"Last weekend was a good hit out for a lot of reasons, but we still have things to work on and we know how important this game is.
"We haven't lost an away match in the Six Nations since 2011 and we have to have the belief and confidence that we can do it again this weekend.
"It's going to be tough, both sides won their opening game, we will have to be physical and take it to them.
"We feel in most tournaments we get stronger as it goes on and that will need to be the case this weekend."
Wales: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, S Williams, Roberts, North, Priestland, Phillips; Jenkins, Hibbard, A Jones, Coombs, AW Jones, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau
Replacements: Owens, James, R Jones, Ball, Tipuric, Webb, Hook, L Williams
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