| Ireland's backline is known for being | | | | Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan called in |
| the most dynamic and creative in the | | | | Paul O'Connell and hooker Rory Best to |
| sport of rugby, but now the team is not | | | | replace Mick O'Driscoll and Bernard |
| going through a very good time since | | | | Jackman; as well as Luke Fitzgerald who |
| there are several players with injuries; | | | | had been on the bench to fill in the |
| situation which forced to develop a | | | | spot left by Horgan |
| brand new plan for the Six Nations game | | | | For the next clash, Ireland remains as |
| on Saturday versus Wales. | | | | the favorite specially because they are |
| Among the injured we have fullbacks | | | | the home team and the strongest |
| Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey who | | | | candidate to win the championship. |
| will not be able to be part of the match | | | | Unfortunately, Ireland won't count with |
| and whom are the major leaders from the | | | | its top class players and are under a |
| backs. | | | | bit more pressure. |
| Ireland's has had two victories against | | | | On the other hand, we have Wales which |
| Italy and Scotland and only one defeat | | | | is coming off from a stunning victory |
| against France; and the team hopes to | | | | against Italy 47-8; everyone agrees |
| win the title despite the current | | | | Coach Warren Gatland is the new gear |
| situation. | | | | stirring the team since he took last |
| Rob Kearney will move from left side to | | | | December; he has managed to restore the |
| fill in at fullback and Tommy Bowe who | | | | pace and has made things right for |
| scored two tries against the Scots, | | | | everyone. |
| switches sides to take Kearney's place | | | | "There is a clear distinction between |
| on the left. Shane Horgan will play at | | | | the coaches and the players," inside |
| number 14 for Ireland, which is second | | | | center Gavin Henson said. "The coaches |
| in the Six Nations standings with four. | | | | are pretty strict, which is good. They |
| Murphy's non appearance is a major | | | | command respect and players are on the |
| concern for the Irish team as he is the | | | | edge. Training is so intense that you |
| key person in the game and this was | | | | are one bad session away from being |
| clearly seemed when they played Scotland | | | | dropped." |
| as he was Dempsey's replacement who got | | | | For now, Mike Phillips is replacing |
| injured in his Achilles tendon after a | | | | Dwayne Peel the only change to the |
| game against Leicester. | | | | backline while Gatland recalled hooker |
| "Ireland will be confident about winning | | | | Huw Bennett, tight head prop Adam Jones |
| the game as historically the fixture has | | | | and lock Alun-Wyn Jones. This match will |
| been good to them," Wales winger Mark | | | | provide Gatland a chance to show the |
| Jones said. "But we are comfortable with | | | | Irish team that they were wrong to |
| being underdogs so we must weather the | | | | dismiss him from his roll and promote |
| storm and grind out a result." | | | | O'Connell. |