The Irish get a big name back for the must-win clash.
Ireland captain Paul O’Connell was passed fit Thursday to lead the team against Wales in the Six Nations on Saturday following his dramatic withdrawal last weekend.
The veteran lock pulled out of last week’s 28-6 win at home to Scotland just hours before kick-off with a chest infection.
But he been given the all clear for the Lansdowne Road visit of defending champions Wales, beaten 30-22 by the Irish in last season’s corresponding clash.
Dan Tuohy, O’Connell’s stand-in against the Scots, resumes his place on the bench, with the only change to the starting side seeing the fit-again Gordon D’Arcy replace Luke Marshall at inside centre.
Ireland team to play Wales in a Six Nations international at Dublin’s Lansdowne Road on Saturday (1430GMT kick-off):
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden
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