Six Nations: Ireland unchanged for Welsh encounter

Ireland coach Warren Gatland today named an unchanged team for the Six Nations Championship clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The on-song Irish are aiming for their third win in as many games after victories in Italy and over France in Dublin.

In fact, the biggest threat to Ireland’s fine start to the championship came from off the field.

A decision on whether the Cardiff Test can go ahead is expected later today following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Meanwhile there were more problems for Gatland’s men in the build-up to the game after this morning’s training session at Lansdowne Road was called off because of the thick blanket of snow covering the pitch.

The team is as follows:

15 - Girvan Dempsey

14 - Denis Hickie

13 - Brian O'Driscoll

12 - Rob Henderson

11 - Tyrone Howe

10 - Ronan O'Gara

9 - Peter Stringer

1 - Peter Clohessy

2 - Keith Wood

3 - John Hayes

4 - Mick Galwey

5 - Malcolm O'Kelly

6 - Alan Quinlan

7 - David Wallace

8 - Anthony Foley

Meanwhile, the Ireland A team to play Wales in Ebbw Vale on Friday is as follows:

15 - Jeremy Staunton

14 - Geordan Murphy

13 - Mike Mullins

12 - Shane Horgan

11 - James Topping

10 - Paul Burke

9 - Tom Tierney (c)

1 - Marcus Horan

2 - Shane Byrne

3 - Simon Best

4 - Leo Culen

5 - Mick O'Driscoll

6 - Eric Miller

7 - Liam Toland

8 - Victor Costello